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John Ball.
[ior Sketch of Hfe see Page 14J

MEMORIALS

OT THE

GRAND MYER VALLEY,

FRAJtfKLLN EVERETT, A: M;

Has Oblivion a right to the Past ?

CHICAGO :
THE CHICAGO LEGAL NEWS COMPANY.
1878.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877,
B^ Feanklin Everett,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

-CV W-.Hg

STEREOTYPED

AND

PKINTEP

»Y

TUB

CUIOAGO

LEGAL

NEWS COMPANY.

PREFATORY NOTE.

This work was prosecuted under the auspices of .the Old Residents'
Association op the Grand Riveb Valley, the members of that body
having the desire that the scenes of- the past should not paps into obliv
ion. No pains have ' been spared to make it authentic, and to render it
worthy of the kindly reception of those for, whom it was undertaken."
Without the aid of those who felt an interest in the work> it never
would and never could have seen the light. Knowing very well that
those who have, been my patrons would not choose, that their names
should be given, I must still be indulged in the public expre'ssion of my
heartfelt thanks to them collectively and individually.
The illustrations are mostly from Ceosscup & West, of Philadelphia,
and challenge comparison.
For the critical accuracy with which the letter-press is presented, the
book is indebted to the accomplished proof-reader, Miss Mary Tomlin,
of the Chicago Legal News.
With this brief statement, the work is . committed to the public, with
the hope that it will not be idly cast aside, or lightly appreciated. .F. E-. .
Grand Rapids, Nov. 15th, 1877.

CONTENTS,

PAGE
Algoma  .,. 159
Alpine  \  165o
Ada  *.....  ,  171
Allendale  '  .'  r  500
Ball's Statement of Early Times . ;,  .'  13,
Banking I Early)  25 -,
Berlin  88 ¦ .
Boston  99
Belding  131 '
Bowne  • . 176
Byron.  ,  -  18,1
Birchen Canoe  '.  289 .
Banking  ..,..-  402
Crash, The  ....'.  ¦¦¦¦  '...,. 42
Cook's Corners . , .'  '  131
Campbell :  140 ^
, Cascade  '.  ¦  186
Caledonia  •  ¦-¦..'  • • 191
Cannon  • • 196
Courtland  ¦  199
Cedar Springs  ¦- . . ¦•  21,9
Chippewa Mythology: ....... , . '.  282
,„ Gobmoosa's Lament  '.  281
Crockery  ;  .'  ;  -  ¦  508
Danby  .,.-  ••¦¦•¦  150
Early Times (Ball) .1  •  ;....' 13
Easton ."..:.:  '..'.:  • •.  •  106
Fruitport  • ¦¦¦¦ •  r--  517
i Getting Extravagant  ;  ¦ ¦ ¦'  ¦ • • 11
. Grand River Valley in 1837  ¦;;••¦'  • •; ,-  ,- 33-
Gaines.. -........,.'  ¦  202
Grattan  ".,  -,  204

VH1 CONTENTS PAGE
Grand River Valley in 1846  374
Grand Rapids  388
Topography  388
Streets ....'.  .'  387
City Government. .  .,  389
Communication  t . . 392
Fire Department  393
Schools   396
K. S. T  ....  '...,  -400
Banking  402
Churches  405
Societies  ,  .'  411
Gypsum  ¦  543
Grand Haven  '.  413
Georgetown  ,  496
Hub'oardston  '.r  ,  116
Harbor Improvements  ••¦•,-,  526
Holland  ,  \ 456
Ionia  45
Ionia County  ,  /  154
Indians  ,. :  269
Of Southern Michigan  273
As found  276
Flat River  .'  ;  .-  280
Holland . ,  ;  - 282 ,
McKinney 's Letters  '...'.  285 -
Poetry  ,  :  ,...:.......  287
Superstition  '....'.  288-
Canoe  289
Pipe Dance, etc   ;  290
Treaties  ; ggg
Anecdotes  .,  297
Acts concerning.  -  298
Mission  298
Trader, First  .'¦, . v  '. 525
Mythology  _ 282
Jamestown  .,...'. r  ,-.....':  ; c,, .
Keene:  -<v -'¦'¦¦•'•  V-----  • 132
, Kiddville  .... 101
, ........  '. t lol
Kent County   , r>fi 1

CONTENTS. IX
PAGE
Lyons  ,  ..'.'.'  64
Lowell  210.
Long Nose  '.  295
Legislative Acts — i
Ionia Gounty  531
Kent County.  532
Ottawa County  '  '. ,  534
Lumber  *  . . . ,  54J
Mink  ni  ...:. , 75
Matherton  .'...„. 1 16
Mythology, Chippewa  ¦  /...'.  282
Mission (Slater's)  ,  298
Military ....-..'.  ,.:..,  .'  303
Martyrs  304
Men furnished  ........'  :  , . 331
Third Infantry  ".  '....'  332
Engineers' & Mechanics'   •.  ¦. ., 337
Sixth Cavalry  >  343
Seventh Cavalry  349
Twenty-First Infantry  '. . v  '.  356,
, " Third Cavalry.  ..'..(  ¦. i 364
'Tenth Cavalry  .'..,..-  . . 368-
Second Battery  372
' Thirteenth Rattery  373
Mythic Joe's Address;  394
Muskegon County  41:!, 521
Salt Well  :  525
. Muskegon  ,  ¦,  429
North Plains  : 109
; Nelson  "  ;.  '. ..'  , • .-¦  v- 217
'. Newspaper, First  '  ¦ ¦• ¦_  11
Orleans  124
Otisco  ....:..  126
Qrahge  • ¦  137
Oakfleld  221
Old Residents' Association  394
Ottawa County  -  .....'  41:J, 518
Olive   .\ . .'  .\ ....'... :  486
Ottawa Homicides  ;  • • ¦ 522
Odessa,....  '..  • 145

X i CONTENTS. PAGB
Occupation; First  1
Pewamo  '.  78
Portland;  '.  80
Palo  '.  121
Parjs  229
Plainfield  ,  235
Polktoni  '.'  ~.  502
Persons (High Official)  ¦•¦•>•  535
Population .,  v  537
Ronald . . . :  '  117
Robinson  .'  I  494
Robinson's Proclamation .<  523
Smyrna  ;.-.,':  ,  130
Sebewa  ".';  J.".,.;  .......,.'  142
/Slater, L  V,.  ; . . . 301
Solon. .:..,.....;:.:,.. ;f.'  .'....¦  241
Sparta.  \  243
Spencer  ....;.,..:...;   248
Salt Well (Muskegon)  525
Senators and Representatives  i  535
Tyrone  .....;  251
Talmadge  514
Virginius   ':¦..-.'.  255
Wright, v  '.  505
Wyoming  '.  257
Zeeland  477

MEMORIALS of the
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

FIEST OCCUPATION.
That the Grand River Valley was explored by the French
Indian Traders, we have authentic traditions. Michigan has
long been known, and' the two posts, Detroit and Mackinaw,
have been occupied for a long time as the centers of the In
dian trade, and as military posts. Missionary stations and
trading posts had been established before the region was open
to actual settlers. , So it was with the Grand River Valley. A
mission station was established about 1825 on the west side of
the river at Grand Rapids, under the care of the Rev. Mr.
Slater; and two Indian Traders had located themselves among
the Indians. Soon after the treaties had opened the land on
the right bank of the river to settlement, Slater and his band
moved off. Their history is of little importance here^however
interesting in itself. It left no permanent impression. The
Indian Traders, too, might be passed by, were it not for the fact
that they both became citizens, foremost in developing the
region, when the white man took possession. These traders
were Rix Robinson and Louis Campan.
These Indian Traders were living on Indian sufferance; had
no rights but such as were given by them, and by a license
from the Government. There were until 1833, no white per
sons in the valley, except such as were connected with the
Mission, or with the Indian trade.

55 MEMORIALS OF THE
By common consent Robinson and Campau are considered
the pioneers; not merely as Indian Traders, but as settlers,
and workers for the settlement and development ofthe Grand
River region. As they will be more particularly spoken of
in biographical articles, no more will be said of them in this
connection. ,
The settlers of 1833 are spoken of in connection with the
places where they located. The four points occupied that year
were Ionia, Grand Rapids, Grandville or Wyoming and
Grand Haven. At first there was a diversity of opinion as to
where the big town would be. Louis Camjjau and Lucius
Lyon had faith in the Rapids; secured land, and platted it;
the one as " G rand Rapids " and the other as " Kent." The
settlers at Grandville had faith in their location; and there
platted a city. Those who came to Ionia believed in land;
and thought less of founding a city than of cultivating the
soil. At and near Grand Rapids we at this time find the Cam
pau s, and those in their employ.
In 1833. and while the settlement was Louis Campau and
his dependents, a young physician, Dr. Willson — a man whose
name is held in si ngu1 a rly affectionate remembrance — came to
try his fortune at the Rapids. lie was fresh from the schools,
and brought nothing with him but his youthful wisdom and
gentlemanly manner; and these were his passport to public
confidence, and resulted in perhaps the deepest and most
affectionate respect ever felt for any person in the Valley. All
concur in pronouncing Dr. Willson a gentleman. ISTo sino-le
voice has ever claimed for him less than that he was the ideal
nobleman — gentle, agreeable, sympathizing, generous, intel
ligent, manly. lie came poor and empty-handed, without
medicines or instruments. Mr. Campau liked the young- man,
and took him under his wing; bought for him a complete set
of instruments and a stock of medicines. When the boxes
came Willson fan-ly danced with delight. There was the
young Esculapius fairly launched into practice among a pop
ulation of fifty persons. He died about twelve years after
wards, leaving a great blank— a dark, vacant spot in the

GEAND EIVEE VALLEY. 6
Grand River Valley. The feeling with which the early set
tlers speak of him, shows how strong a hold he — the manly
physician — had on the hearts of the people. May we have
many more like him, and fewer of those soulless quacks,
whose only object is to grow rich on the sufferings, or unnat
ural crime of the base, the ignorant or confiding.
It has been said that the basis of civilization is the black
smith's anvil block. This much is certain : that man can
make but little advance in the arts, or anything, that distin
guishes savage from civilized life, without the labor and skill
of that artisan. The superiority of the Philistines over the
Jews is manifest in this : the Jews, had no smiths. The Uni
ted States, in their laudable endeavors to civilize the nomadic
tribes on our frontiers, do not send the cabinet maker and
jeweler, but the farmer and blacksmith.
The first who placed his anvil and bellows in the Grand
River Valley, was A. D. W. Stout. His shop was at Grand
Rapids, at the foot of Pearl street, where now stands the Opera
House. There his bellows breathed its long-drawn sia-hs,
and there he fashioned, first a fish-spear, and afterwards the
many different articles demanded by the wants of the white
man or the Indian. This Mr. Stout was afterwards one of the
first settlers of Cannon. At the present writing (1876), he is
living in Plainfield. Mr. Campau during this year put up
some buildings ; built a pole-boat — the " Young Napoleon ; "
and the same year the Indian Mill was built, on the creek that
enters the Grand River in the north part of the city on the
west side. Its site was some GO rods from the mouth of the
stream. It was a small concern ; just the cheap mill appro
priate to the circumstances and time. It was of the old sash
saw, flutter- wheel ' pattern, capable of cutting 1,500 feet of
boards in a day. The creek was dammed so as to make a
pond ; and the stream being insufficient to run the mill con
tinually, it was operated by the pond ; that is, when the pond
was drawn down, stop until it Avas filled. The cheap run of
stones put in that mill were a wonderful convenience to the
inhabitants, as there was no chance for grinding elsewhere
nearer than Gull Prairie. The, it is to be hoped, perpetual

4: MEMORIALS OE TnE
memento of that mill is the horse-block of the Hon. John Ball.
May no sacrilegious hand ever break up those stones. Let
them do service in their present conspicuous place, with the
addition, that they be inscribed, "The first in the G. R. Val
ley. " They are among the few existing mementos of olden
times. The last of the pioneer buildings has given way to
something better. The mill-stones may be an historical monu
ment. Perhaps they may become as noted as the " Rock of
Plymouth" — • the " Blarney Stones" of Grand Rapids. There
is this advantage in favor of the Grand Rapids mill-stones :
they are an entity, while the Rock of Plymouth is a non-entity.
There is no rock at Plymouth, excej)t some scattered boulders,
but the poet had sung —
'.' The breaking waves dashed high "
On a stern and rock-bound coast:
And the woods against the stormy sky
Their giant branches tossed,
And the heavy night hung dark
The hills and waters o'er, (
When a band of' exiles moored their bark
On the wild New England's shore."
Great was the dismay, in later times, of those who came as
pilgrims to the spot where the May Flower pilgrims landed,
to find no " stern and rock-bound coast;" only a sandy beach.
And looking for the woods, that tossed their giant branches
against the sky, they saw only sand barrens, with scarcely a
shrub. Still, like Beecher's dog, Noble, they concluded, as it
was poetically a stern and rock-bound coast, a rock ought to
la there. That so much good poetry might not be'spoiled, they
found a boulder, and made it poetically the rock on which the
pilgrims landed.
We are under no such necessity in doing poetic justice to
the Indian Mill. The chain of evidence is complete. Many
can bear witness to seeing the neglected stones, before Mr.
Ball, appreciating their historical importance, elevated them
from their obscurity by the side of the brook, and placed them
where they are seen of all. Wo to the man who shall remove
them from that place, or break a fragment from those conse-

GEAND EIVEB VALLEY. 5
crated stones. Such a wretch would deserve to be talked to !
Let him be compelled to spend a year reading Tupper's
poetry! If we knew a direr retribution, we would invoke it
upon him.
The same year Mr. Barrigau, since Bishop of the Lake Su
perior region, came on as a Catholic Missionary among the
Indians. He built on the right bank of the river, for a school
house and chapel, what was afterwards known on the left bank
as the " Yellow Store House." Barrigau, discouraged, went
off; and Mr. Campau moved the building across the river on
the ice.
It will be seen that a beginning was fairly made in 1833.
Five little bands of settlers were in the valley — at Lyons,
Ionia, Grand Rapids, Grandville and Grand Haven.
It may not be uninteresting to record how those pioneers per
formed their journey, and how they fared after their arrival.
The only roads were the Indian trails — mere foot-paths. With
these for a guide, they cut the roads for their teams as they
came along. They camped at night in the woods, and were
serenaded by the wolves. Arrived, they lived in huts, until
they could build log cabins for the winter. Winter found
them almost without food. Flour was not to be thought of.
Their life approximated to that of the savage. It was a strug
gle, not to enjoy life, but to live. If one had brought on
provisions for his own family, his sympathies led him to
divide with those who had not; and, in turn, the common
hard fare was his. But the pioneer has faith and hope. The
first year struggled through, they have food in store — and
they are rich.
If the incomer had located on land, he spent the winter in
cutting down trees to browse his cattle, and to have a chance
in the spring to put in a crop.
Provisions had to be brought around the lakes, or packed in
from the southern part of the State. Pork could be bought
for $40 a barrel, potatoes for $4 a bushel, and flour was worth
a rshilling a pound. Those who came in a year or two after
wards, although their privations were many, had not the pio
neers' hard lot, and are not entitled to the pioneers' credit. The

6 MEMORIALS OF THE
lips of those old settlers curl with scorn, when we grumble at
our food, or apologize for the poorness of our accommodations.'
Years afterwards, one of them, in the full enjoyment of com
petence, called at our humble residence. Like a fool, we
apologized for the humility of our house. " You should see,"
said he, " the first house I lived in. Yours is a palace com
pared with it." We meekly stood reproved, and silently de
termined never to apologize again, unless we had done wrong;
at the same time comforted with the thought, that the house,
humble as it was, would be treated with respect by a gentle
man or lady; and that what others thought, was matter of
indifference. If you find yourself cold, and without shelter, a wigwam
with a fire is a beautiful thing. If tired, a heap of boughs
aiid a bear skin are a delightful couch. If hungry, a hoe-cake
is a feast. Good Christians may now enjoy .their fine houses,
and the other appliances of wealth ; but with a particular
thankfulness they revert to the " good old times " when they
lived in a log-house, rode on an ox sled, did their own work,
and beguiled their evenings with a Jew's-harp. It did them
good to rough it a while. They were better men, and better
women all their days from the discipline that taught them, the
value of simple things.
But it must not be supposed that in this struggle for exist
ence, the pioneer wore a sober face, or moved with the air of a
convicted sinner. If such is your idea, we humbly beg you to
be undeceived ; for a happier set, be they saint or sinner, do
not exist, than those stray denizens of the wood. "¦ Behold a
new commandment I give unto you : that ye love one an
other." Nowhere is the spirit of this so fully appreciated, as
in the back-woods. The few are a community, in full frater
nity — each a sister or a brother. To the fullest extent they
cultivate the social spirit. The hard work of the day done,
the evening is for social enjoyment. A neighbor, perhaps
several miles off, is visited. The welcome to each other's house
is hearty and demonstrative. There is no aristocracy; they
are all equals. They welcome with a cheer a new arrival •
and it is "Hurrah boys, to put him up a house." He soon

GEAND EIVEE VALLEY. 7
finds that a neighbor is a friend, -worth a hundred of the thou
sand dear friends he has left behind ; who made use of him,
laughed at him behind his back, and deserted when he needed
a friend. The settler in the woods is a friend just when a
friend is good for something, in the day of trouble and the
hour of need ; not a mere machine to help one consume his
surplus provisions.
Tliere are seasons of precious enjoyment for pious souls,
and for those whose conversation is in things of this world.
For the first, a stray preacher of the Gospel penetrates the
wilderness, and to them " How beautiful are the feet, of those
who herald the Gospel of peace ! " All far and near are noti
fied that there will be a meeting. At the. appointed place and
time, all, saint and sinner, are present, and sit around the
room in earnest expectancy. The preacher conducts the ser
vices; the hungry souls are fed; and they do not criticise.
Their ears and hearts are open (that is, the pious ones), and
they retire with souls refreshed. Small though the preacher
may be, he is welcomed as a preacher of the Gospel ; and his
address is to them spiritual food. Should we find ourselves a
preacher of the Gospel, with talents too small to command a
salary, we would scout on the frontiers of civilization, and
preach to the settlers in the woods. We should be sure of
being appreciated at our highest worth. We should be cer
tain no one would go to sleep while we were holding forth ;
that the best corner in the cabin would be given us for onr re
pose, and that our coffee woidd be half molasses — " none too
sweet for the minister."
Then, as it regards those who think more of this world than
the next; they, too, have their hours of precious enjoyment.
To the young man it is poetic, romantic and entrancing to
yoke the oxen to the sled, and go to the jollification five miles
distant, at the house of Mr.  . There the lads and the
lassies from near and far have met; "soft eyes, et cetera, and
et cetera." Mr. E^lis, the fiddler is there, brought from Grand
Rapids; and as his bow kisses the strings, light feet and heavy
stogas respond in a hearty break-down. Did you ever dance
like David, in the ecstacy of devotion? or, without devotion, in

0 MEMORIALS OF THE
the ecstacy of enjoyment? If so, you can appreciate a back
woods dance. They have not the scientific cotillion, or the
melancholy minuet. They don't know the steps, nor the calls;
but they do know that there is fun for boys and girls shaking
themselves to the music of the violin ; and they do enjoy the
moonlight ride; and the not getting home till morning. Don't
pity them too much, you conventional denizens of cities. These
back-woods rollickers pity you most contemptuously. Could
you have one hour of their whole-hearted abandon, you would
thereafter go to a fashionable formal party simply esteeming
it a penance due to the sin of crushing out your better na
ture. But where are we? In the Grand River Valley in the win
ter of 1833-4; ruralizing, meditating and philosophizing on
the phases of humanity. Let us come back from our general
ities, to Grand Rapids in 1834. Grand Rapids will be consid
ered as a center, and not a town. The present city, made
equally from two towns, cannot separate its history from them.
The center of the settlement was the village.
1833 may be called the year of occupation. A few — a very
few— had come in with reference to making homes for them
selves. The two years that succeeded had the effect to attract
attention; people came with different designs. One of the
first ideas was — make use of the water power. In 1834 Abra
ham S. Wadsworth, a capitalist, came in, and purchased a good
deal of land at Grand Rapids and Grand Haven. He ex
pended his fortune in attempts to do business. Wadsworth
is recollected by the pioneers, as a whole-hearted, noble fellow;
too ardent for a business man, and too visionary to succeed.
He did a good deal; but succeeded only in sinking his capital.
At Grand Rapids he built the second saw-mill. The recollec
tion now is that he built it in 1834. Its site was, where now
is the Hotel at the corner of Canal and Pearl streets. A win"'
dam was made to turn some of the water to the left bank. An
immense reaction wheel was operated by about two feet head
of water. The mill never did much, and soon became only a
thing of memory. The march of improvement has there
filled the river. The spot, however, will ever be historical

GRAND EIVEE VALLEY. 9
as will Wadsworth's visionary schemes; his labors and his
failures. In 1835, N. O. Sargeant, who also meant business, came on,
to sink capital, by doing business on a large scale. He had
purchased an interest with Lyon in the Kent Plat. He came
in with a posse of Irish to dig a mill-race. His entrance was
an " eveut " in the back- woods town. They entered the place
with their picks and shovels on their shoulders ; Crampton, a
stout Hibernian, leading the van with his bugle, playing " Hail
Columbia" and the " Shamrock of Erin" in the " Erin go TJnum
E Pluribus Bragh" style, as a patriotic expression of Sargeant
and his crew. This Crampton played the same bugle on the
first steamboat that ascended above the rapids. He afterwards
became a thriving farmer in Ada. Old Noon Day thought
they were enemies, come to take " Wagoosh" (the Fox), as they
called Mr. Campau; and sent to him, offering his protection,
and the aid of his band to drive out the invaders. The canal
was commenced by Sargeant. But he sold out to C. C. Caroll;
and died a year or two after.
The work went on under the name of the Kent Company.
This company had great ideas; one of them was a monster
mill, and another, a great hotel. The mill was to be a large
flouring concern, and a saw mill with one hundred saws.
The company laid the foundation of the great hotel at the
corner of Bridge and Canal streets The flouring mill was
built, and the foundation of the saw mill was laid. A
"wing dam "was built, running diagonally half way across
the river, turning the water through the " guard lock " into
the canal, which was to supply the mill. The canal, enlarged,
is the present left bank canal.' The " wing dam " was near
where the present dam crosses the river. The hotel and saw
mill did not go up. Their grand enterprises were never real
ized. It is not to be recorded to the reproach of the Kent
Co. that they failed. Who did not fail about that time? None
felt the darkness of those times more than the inhabitants of
pioneer villages. The Kent Co. made a good beginning; and,
though they failed to carry out their great designs, they gave
Grand Rapids a start, and left as the mementos of the ex-

10 MEMOEIALS OF THE
istence of the company, the canal and the flouring mill, long,
and still known as the " Big Mill."
At this time there was a monthly mail to Kalamazoo.
Jefferson Morrison and James Lyman and his brother came
on to do business as traders. Morrison brought the first
stock of goods for " white folks" — in value about $1,500. This
store was at the foot of Monroe street. Lyman's store was
on Waterloo street.
In 1836, Richard Godfrey built the first steamboat, the
"Gov. Mason." It was commanded by Capt. Kanouse. On
its first trip down the river, Capt. Stoddard had charge of it.
This Capt. Stoddard, who first run a steamboat on the Grand
River, died in Barry county, in 1854. In 1838, the Gov. Mason
was wi'ecked off the mouth of the Muskegon river.
The next year — 1837 — was among other things signalized
by the starting of a miserable abortion of a steamboat above
the Rapids. It was built by John Lloyd and others, and called
the " John Almy." The Judge did not long enjoy the distin
guished honor, for the boat never lived to do honor to him or
its builder. It did indeed go up the river, Crampton waking
the echoes of the woods with his bugle, and causing a few
squirrels, to climb a little nigher the tree-tops; but she never
completed her journey. When she had got as far as the mouth
of the Flat River, it became evident that her builder had mis
taken her element; and had not thought of fitting her for
swimming in the water. She sunk, and the men waded
ashore. In 1834, Joel Guild put up a building at the foot of Pearl
street, where now stands the National Bank building; and occu
pied it as a boarding house and place of entertainment. About
the same time Richard Godfrey built a store house some dis
tance below Pearl Street Bridge. Mr. Guild took up land three
miles north of the city. He died in 1855.
In 1834-5, arrived Eliphalet and Isaac Turner, Ezekiel Da
vis, Ezra, Lewis and Porter Reed, Joseph Marion (the first
carpenter), Lewis Moran, the Ringnotte brothers (the first
shoemakers),  North (the first millwright),' Wm. God-
froy (the first tavern keeper).

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 11
1835 closed with a resident population of from 75 to 100, at
and around Grand Rapids. The next year the influx of people
was great; and the spirit of speculation was rife, not only at
that place but along the river. For a view of the place and
of the valley in general, at the time selected as the bursting of
the bubble, the reader is referred to the article of Mr. Ball.
Some particulars will be noticed in addition.
GETTING EXTRAVAGANT.
In 1836, Jefferson Morrison, having been successful in busi
ness, having been elected Judge of Probate, and, more than
all, being about to get married — huilt him a house. He ever
afterwards, with tears of humble penitence, called it "Morri
son's Folly." Everything was high, but he must have a fine
house; so a house he built; finished it in style, and seriously
embarrassed himself by so doing; run himself in debt $5,000.
This house was near the junction of Monroe and Ottawa streets,
where now stands a block of stores. To show the change in
the fancy value of real estate: he sold that house to Mr. Cam
pau for $6,000, and took his pay in lots at $1,500 each; and
which, in the crash that followed, he could hardly sell for $150.
This same house, as good as new, was afterwards bought by
Capt. Gunnison for $700. Time did not work a greater change
in the valuation of that property, than it did in the other real
estate. In 1837, the first newspaper in the Valley was started — the
Grand River Times. It was edited by George W. Pattison,
who was also its proprietor. The first impression of it is pre
sumed to be in existence now. That impression was made on
cloth, and presented to Louis Campau, and always by him
sacredly preserved. In that paper, bearing date "April 18th,
1837," the editor announces his intentions in a modest saluta
tory, and states that the regular issue will be deferred until
the 29th. It was then an enterprise to issue that sheet. The
place was a mushroom frontier village, and Pattison had no
golden prospects before him, when he sent out his comely lit
tle sheet. The leading article is here given:

12 memorials of the
" The Rochester of Michigan " in 1837.
[From the Grand Riv,er Times, April IS, 1837.]
Though young in its improvements, the site of this village has long been
known and esteemed for its natural advantages. It was here that the Indian
Traders long since made their grand depot. It was at this point that the
missionary herald established his institution of learning — taught the forest
child the beauty of civilization, and inestimable benefits of the Christian re
ligion. This lias been the choicest, dearest spot to the unfortunate Indian,
and now is the pride of the white man. Like other villages of the West, its
transition from the savage to a civilized state, has been as sudden, as its
prospects are now flattering.
Who would have believed, to have visited this place two years since, when
it was only inhabited by a few families, most of whom were of French origin,
a people so eminent for exploring the wilds and meandering rivers, that
this place would now contain its twelve hundred inhabitants? Who would
have imagined that thus rapid would have been the improvement of this
romantic place? The rapidity of its settlement is beyond the most visionary
anticipation; but its location, its advantages, and its clime, were sufficient to
satisfy the observing mind, that nothing but the frown of Providence could
blast its prospects !
The river upon which this town is situated, is one of the most important
and delightful to be found in the country — not important and beautiful alone
for its clear, silver-like water winding its way through a romantic valley of
some hundred miles, but for its width and depth, its susceptibility for steam
navigation, and the immense hydraulic power afforded, at this point.
_ We feel deeply indebted to our Milwaukee friends for their lucid descrip
tion of the advantages to be derived from a connection of the waters of this
river with those of Detroit, by canal or railroad. A canal is nearly completed
around the Rapids at this place, sufficiently large to admit boats to pass up
and down, with but little detention. Several steamboats are now preparing
to commence regular trips from Lyons, a,t the mouth of the Maple River, to
this place, a distance of sixty miles; and from this to Grand Haven, a dis
tance of thirty-five or forty miles; thence to Milwaukee and Chicago.
Thus the village of Grand Rapids, with a navigable stream — a water power
of twenty-five feet fall— an abundance of crude building materials — stone of
excellent quality— pine, oak and other timber in immense quantities within
its vicinity, can but flourish— can but be the Rochester of Michigan! The
basement story of an extensive mill, one hundred and sixty by forty feet, is
now completed; a part of the extensive machinery is soon to be put in ope
ration. There are now several dry good and grocery stores— some three or
four pubhc houses— one large church erected, and soon to be finished in good
style, upon the expense of a single individual, who commenced business a
few years ago. by a small traffic with the Indians. Such is the encourage
ment to Western pioneers! The village plat is upon a bold bank of the river.
extending back upon an irregular plain, some eighty to a hundred rods, to
rising bluffs, from the base and sides of which some of the most pure, crystal
like fountains of water burst out in boiling springs, pouring forth streams
that murmur over their pebbly bottoms, at once a delight to the eye, and an
invaluable luxury to the thirsty palate.
New England may surpass this place with her lofty mountains, but not
with her greatest boast— purity and clearness of water. Our soil is sandy,
and mostly dry. The town is delightful, whether you view it from the plain,
upon tee banks of the river, or from the bluffs that overlook the whole sur
rounding country. To ascend these bluffs, you take a gradual rise to the
height of a hundred feet, when the horizon only limits the extent of vision.
lne scenery to an admirer of beautiful landscape is truly picturesque and ro-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 13
mantic. Back, east of the town, is seen a wide-spread plain of burr-oak, at
once easy to cultivate, and inviting to the agriculturalist. Turning west
ward, especially at the setting of the sun,, you behold' the most enchanting
prospect — the din of the ville below — the broad sheet of water murmur
ing over the Rapids — the sunbeams dancing upon its swift gliding ripples—
the glassy river at last losing itself in its distant meamderings, presents a
scenery that awakes the mosf lively emotions. But the opposite shore, upon
which you behold a rich, fertile plain, still claims no-small amount of admira
tion. Near the bank of the river is seen the little rude village of the more
civilized Indians.— their uncouth framed dwellings — their little churches and
their mound-like burying places. The number and size of the mounds which
mark the spot where lies the remains of the proud warrior, and the more
humble of his untamed tribe, too plainly tell the endearments of that lovely
plain to the native aborigines, and how quick the mind will follow the train
of associations to by-gone days, and contrast these reflections with present
appearances. Thus we see the scenes of savage life, quickly spread upon
the broad canvas of the imagination — the proud chieftain seated, aiad his
tribe surrounding the council fires — the merry war-dance — the wild amuse-
.ments of the "red man of the forest," and as soon think of their present
unhappy condition ; the bright flame of their lighted piles has been extin
guished, and with it has faded the keen, expressive brilliancy of the wild
man's eye! Their lovely V/ashtenang, upon which their light canoes hava
so long glided, is now almost deserted!
It is from this point, too, that you can see in the distance the evergreen
tops of the lofty pine, waving in majesty above the sturdy oak, the beech
and maple, presenting to- the eye a wild, undulating plain, with its thousand
charms. Such is the location, the beauties and the advantages of this youth
ful town. The citizens are of the most intelligent, enterprising- and indus
trious character. Their buildings are large, tasty and handsomely furnished
—the clatter of mallet and chisel — the clink of hammers — t >e many newly
raised and recently covered frames — and the few skeleton boats upon the
wharves of the river, speak loudly for the enterprise of the place! Mechan
ics of all kinds find abundance of employ, and re.ap a rich reward for their
labor. Village property advances in value, and the prospect of wealth is
alike flattering to all! What the result of such advantages and prospects
will be, time alone must determine.
But a view of this place and its vicinity,, where we find a rich and fertile
soil, watered with the best cf springs, and enjoying as wo do a salubrious
climate, a healthful atmosphere, ^md the choicest gifts of a benign Benefac
tor, would satisfy almost any one that this will soon be a bright star in the
constellation of Western villages. Such, gentle reader, is a faint description
ofthe place from which our paper hails — from which, we hope, will emanate
matter as pleasing and interesting,, as the town is/beautiful and inviting !

BALLS STATEMENT.
The following communication was sent by the Hon. John
Ball to the " Old Settlers' Association." Being a man who
¦ has always moved with his eyes in his head, it is specially val
uable To relieve it from the charge of egotism, it is but
proper to say, that the design of the communication was to
give a sketch of his own personal relations to the- Grand River
Valley in early times :

Ii ' MEMORIALS OF THE
" Having resided some years at Troy and Lansingburg, N\
Y., in that year of speculation, 1836, 1 entered into a contract
with Dr. T.' C. Brinsmaid, Dr. F. B. Leonard, Mr. J. E. Whip
ple, and a Mr. Webster, of those places, to go West, and in
vest for them, on speculation, so much money as they would
supply, for / had none. The talk was, some sixty or eighty
thousand dollars; but, from the change of times, it ended at
about ten thousand. I was to operate in any of the Western
(not slave) States; buy and sell in my own name, and receive
for my services one-fourth of the profits. So, in September of
that year I left Troy, and came to Detroit. There I was offered
city property, but prices seeming high, I concluded that gov
ernment broad acres would be a surer thing than corner-lots.
From what I learned there and what I had learned before, I
made up my mind that the Grand River district was the
promised land, or at least the most promising one for my
operations. So I purchased a horse, and mounting him, I
started out through mud which I found so deep that I was
unable to trot him until I got to Ypsilanti. I reached Ann
Arbor the first day, where I fell in with some ISTew York State
acrpiaintances, traveling the same way. The next day we
arrived at Jacksonburg (as it was then called), and the next at
JonN Ball.
Mr. Ball was born in a little log cabin on Tenney's Hill, in Hebron, N. H.,
Nov. 12, 1794. He was the youngest of ten children. His early years were
passed out of society, with no school advantages except such as were afforded
by a winter school of about two months. Liking books! better than hard
work on the farm, and feeling that if he had a chance he could be something
more than a poor plodding being, he became impatient, and importuned his
father to let him go away to school. . Consent was obtained, and for a time
he studied with a clergyman, who had a few pupils. Here he pursued Eng
lish studies with great diligence, so that after a few months his teacher set
him to studying Latin,
Religiously trained at home, he, at the early age of twelve years, became
skeptical, Ihoughtful and an independent thinker. He must see and realize
for himself. The result has been with him as with thousands of others not
anchored in unquestioning faith, he has ever been the prey of doubts and
fears— uncertain, as all will be, who, by searching, try to find out God.
Under the kindly encouragement of his teacher, he resolved to concentrate
all his energies upon the one great object— an education. He fitted for col-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 15
Marshall. From there, going to Kalamazoo, I met for the
first time one Mr. Robert S. Parks. I then urged my friends
to continue their journey with me north, but they declined,
saying they were unwilling to risk their lives and health by
going any further into the woods. Having roughed it some
before that time, it sounded to me rather unmanly. Having
bid good-bye to my traveling companions, the next day I
mounted my pony and started, without any special fear and
trembling, alone.
When I left Troy, at the urgent request of my friends I pur
chased a pair of pistols, and put them in my trvmle. I left
them in my trunk at Detroit, not wishing the trouble of carry
ing them, though I had considerable gold in my saddlebags.
Everybody then carried money, and traveled on highways and
by-ways; stopped by dozens in the same log cabins, and slept
in the same common garret; thrusting their saddlebags and
packages loosely under their beds, and perhaps leaving them
there for days, though heavy with specie — for then only specie
bought government lands. Still there were no robberies heard
of. Nevertheless, it must be confessed, in bargaining, people
did not always show themselves saints without guile.
I came on through Gull Prairie, where were a few settlers;
and found no more until I arrived at Yankee Springs. There
I stopped and enjoyed Lewis' rousing fire, and partook of his
lege at Salisbury Academy, living in the most economical way, and support
ing himself as best he could. He entered Dartmouth College, and like
thousands of other poor, but energetic boys, went through, helping himself
by teaching and work, and by the backing of some friends. And here let
the writer say, that any young man who has a mind worth educating, can
educate himself. His character and his energy will open the way. Knowl
edge is not locked from the poor; it is from the indifferent.
After graduating, he went to Lansingburg,- N. Y., where he taught school
— studied law for two years. Then he started out to seek his fortune; went
to Darien, Georgia. Was wrecked on the passage, but fortunately all but
one got ashore with their lives. At Darien he kept a private school. The
next summer he returned to New York, resumed the study of law; and
in due time was admitted to practice.
He was soon after elected Justice of the Peace at Lansingburg. The
death of his brother-in-law necessitated the abandonment of lejal practice,
and his devotion to the interests of the estate for two years.

16 MEMORIALS OF THE
wife's good cheer, as many of you have done. Continuing my
journey, the next day I came to Mr. Leonard's, on the Thorn-
apple, and observing some books drying in the sun, I was in
formed that the day before the stage wagon had spilled its bag
gage while crossing the river, and that the trunk containing
these books was not at the time recovered; that it belonged to
a Mr. Johnson, a lawyer, who was bound to Grand Rapids. This
was Simeon Johnson, whom every old settler well remembers.
I forded the river without wetting my boots. But then I did
not go through that deep hole into which some sinners, for
sport, one time led their fellow travelers.
Being bound for Ionia, on arriving at the McWaughton
place, on the Little Thornapple, I took what was called the
Flat River trail, which led to the Grand River at what is now
Lowell. Arriving there, I stopped with Mr. Marsac, an In
dian Trader, brother of our late worthy Mrs. Louis Campau.
This was my arrival in the Grand River Valley, and the 14 th
day of October, 1836. Marsac and the Robinsons, at the
mouth of the Thornapple, were the only people between Grand
Rapids and Ionia. But soon after, Lewis Robinson settled at
the mouth of Fiat River, and Mr. Daniels and others in Ver
gennes. The next day I went up the trail on the north side of the
river to Ionia, and put up with Mr. Yeomans, since known as
Free once more, with a restless longing to visit other regions, in conjunc
tion with a gentleman from Boston, he set out in the spring of 183'2, for
Oregon. On their overland journey they joined a party of mountain fur-traders
at Independence. In this route, Mr. Ball passed over the same region that
Fremont had the honor of exploring ten years later. On his return , at the re
quest of Prof. Silliman, he gave the result of his observations in a series of
articles in the Journal of Science. These articles were considered an impor
tant contribution to geographical science. Mr. Ball has not, as he should
have done, vindicated his priority to Fremont.
He spent a year in Washington Territory, in the winter teaching the half-
breeds. at Fort Vancouver, and the next summer in starting a farm. He got
tired of farming, sold his crops to the fur company, went to California, and
from there to the Sandwich Islands—" Restless ever; ever roving."
Having seen what was worth seeing among the Islands of the Pacific,
cruising awhile on a whaler, he turned himself homeward, and we find
him soon in the Grand River Valley.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 17
"Judges" who was then living iu his original cabin. There I
again met with Mr. Parks, and, as was no unusual thing then,
occupied the same common room or chamber with him and
his wife. There were many visiting the land office there, so
every house and place was full, and there were so many pur
chasers, that. Mr. Hutchinson, the receiver, soon took in silver
to the amount of his bail, and had to shut up the office, and
cart the silver through the woods to Detroit.
Having nothing else to do, a fellow boarder, Mr. Anderson,
and myself mounted our horses, and put out to look for pine
lands down in Ottawa, and came the first day to Grand Rapids,
This was my first visit. We put up at the Eagle Tavern, then
the only one in the place, 'and kept by Wm. Godfroy. It was
then November, the nights cold, the house not plastered, the
house full — two in a bed. When the lights were out, I heard
from all quarters, bitter complaints of bed fellows that they
pulled the clothes off; not just understanding that the cover
ings being narrow Indian blankets, if a man covered himself,
he uncovered his neighbor. I rather enjoyed the complaining.
The next irforning we rode down to Grandville before break
fast. There being no tavern, we were directed to Mr. Charles
Oakes for accommodations. They answered that they could
feed our horses, but not us ; but after urging our necessities,
Mrs. Oakes was moved to compassion, and gave us a cup of
As his history subsequently is given in the valuable contribution from
his pen on the early times, which here appears, we will summarily dismiss
Mr. Ball.
He has gone through a long life with his eyes open; has traveled exten
sively in Europe and America; has been a close observer of men and of na
ture; has in an uncommon degree won the confidence' of those who have
known him, and now at the advanced age of 82, is erect and athlectic in per
son, and with intellectual powers unshaken by age, is still the careful ob
server and student of nature.
He has always been characterized by the youthfulness of his feelings, and
by his love for, and interest in, the young. With them he has always been
the genial associate and wise counsellor. Known as " Honest John Ball,'
he has made his mark on the financial, social, educational and moral interests
of the Grand River Valley. He, in independent, cheerful age, is biding his
time. He has the happiness of knowing that he is appreciated, and of feel
ing that he has good years of life still before him.
2

18 MEMORIALS OF THE

to

¦ood coffee. But then we wanted something to carryrinto the
woods, and were told that there was nothing to be had in the
village; but that on our way a Mr. Ketchum was building a
mill, and there we could get plenty. But on arriving there,
where Jennison's planing mill now is, they informed us that
all they had was some flour and beef. So we waited until they
baked a loaf of bread, which we took, and some of the uncooked
beef; put into the woods, and took our course to a point where
we had some vague information there was pipe timber. This
brought us, at dark, into the south part of what is now the
town of Blendon, and we camped on a branch of the Black
River. During the night, we heard the deer tramping about
us in the leaves, attracted, probably, by the fire ; and the wolves,
as usual, howling in the distance. The next morning we ex
plored about for a time, but not finding what we were looking
for, we turned to come out, for we had taken but one day's pro
visions. But after a time we found ourselves in the midst of
a fine tract of pine timber, and immediately turned away to see
its extent, and under the excitement kept on until dark. Then
we lay down without supper, in order to have something- for
breakfast. On waking in the morning, we found our blankets
covered with snow, and being still in the pines, we were unwil
ling to give it up until we had explored still further. We
finally struck down towards the river, expecting to find some
road leading out, but there was none. We met some Indians
on the river, and offered them three dollars to bring us up to
Grandville in their canoes. But they declined, and we tramped
on, over bluffs and through swamps, till dark; kindled afire
with our last match, and lay down, hungry and weary. The
next morning we got out to Grandville about 9 o'clock, and
succeeded in getting Something to eat, notwithstanding the
scarcity. As yet nothing had been raised in Kent county or
Ottawa, and nothing like a supply in Ionia; and all had to be
brought by way of the Lakes from Buffalo or Cleveland. But
we had not explored the lands minutely enough for purchasing.
So, a short time after, my man, his son and myself, with a tent
and better outfit, went in again, and spent two or three days.
Giving them quite a bonus for their interest in the lands', I

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 19
entered the whole tract, 41 eighty-acre lots, in my own name —
the same lands from which the Blendou Company, long after
wards, lumbered. This company were the Messrs. Brinsmaid,
Leonard and Whipple, mentioned before as furnishing the cap
ital with which I operated. Finding the prospects of profit so
small, I had before given them a deed of the lands, charging
nothing for my services. Speculation ~No. 1.
I was little at Grand Rapids the first fall and winter I was
in the State. But at one time, when there, I went up through
the mud and among the stumps, to Bridge street, where Mr.
Coggershall lived, and met a man at an office west of his house,
and asked him the price of lots. He — it was Judge Almy —
answered, that on Canal and Kent streets they were $50 a
front foot, or $2,500 a lot. I did not invest, and made no fur
ther inquiry about lots in Grand Rapids.
One time, ill the winter, I was at Grandville, wishing to
look for lands farther down the river, a Mr. White and some
other Grand Haven men there invited me to go down the river
on the ice with them. They had a cutter, and the ice being
smooth, we all rode. Arriving at Grand Haven, I stopped at
Mr. Luke White's, where I got acquainted with T. D. Gilbert,
Esq., Rev. Mr. Ferry, Mr. Troop, Capt. White, and most of
the then few inhabitants of the place. I then employed a
half-breed man, a brother of Mrs. Oakes, to go with pie into the
woods, though it was mid-winter and the snow knee-deep.
We went out south, to and up the creek that falls into Port
Sheldon Lake, and so, about the woods for four or five days,
and came out at the mouth of the Bass River. When night
came on, we encamped in the lee of some fallen tree, scraped
away the snow, collected hemlock boughs for a bed, built up a
rousing fire, and made ourselves very comfortable. But it was
by the skill of my companion, for he was an old hunter, and
knew well how to make camp. But I found no land that I
thought it an object to purchase, so I came up to Grandville,
and went out into what is now Byron. When thei'e, Mr. Na
than Boynton, with his brothers, Perry and William, as board
ers,, were the only inhabitants. There I found some 1,000
acres of good farming land, which I bought. I think Mr. Os-

20 MEMORIALS OF THE
good and Mr. Blake -had then came to Grandville, and were
keeping the first tavern there.
I passed part of the winter at Detroit, going and returning
by different routes. One time I went directly south from
Ionia, on a trail to Marshall, passing through Vermontville
and Bellevue; stopped at the former place over night, finding
there only three families. At Detroit I met Capt. Victor
Harris, and told him about the Grand River country. Gov.
Mason, Mr. Schoolcraft, with his half-breed wife, and many
members of the Legislature, boarded at the American, where
I had taken up my quarters. Judge Almy was the member
from the Grand River district.
They legislated boldly that winter; passed the law for mak
ing the $5,000,000 loan; for the survey of three railroads and
two canals across the State ; and the general wild-cat banking
law. One day I was walking along Jefferson avenue, and over
took two boys talking, and there was the discharge of a cannon.
One boy said to the other, " Now, Michigan-is. a State." And
so it. was. They were firing at the news of its admission,
just from Washington. This was in February. But though
just admitted, it had been running on its own account from
October, 1835 ; had had the Toledo war, and all that. Finally
she submitted, and took the Upper Peninsula.
I returned by what was called the " Northern Route;" found
Pontiac a little village. They were building a mill at Fenton.
Elisha Williams was the only man in Shiawassee county, and
Scott in Clinton. So it was a day's journey from house to
house. From Scott's there was a trail direct to Lyons, through
the dense timber, 25 miles, and another road by Portland, where
there were a few families. I well recollect finding very com
fortable quarters in the tavern at Lyons, kept by Judge Lyon.
One day, coming from Ionia, I was intending to stop at Mr.
Edward Robinson's, but, from the snow drifted on the open
Indian fields, lost my track, and turned back to a shanty
where some men were building a block house, which was
afterwards the tavern of Ada. They very kindly invited me to
stop with them, saying they could put my horse in the shed,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 21
and could give me lodgings; and thus I should be the first
traveler stopping 'at a public house in that place. One of
these persons was Mr. Burnett. I traveled all winter on
horse-back. Although the sleighing was good, I did not trust
its continuance^
My business had led me to travel much up and down the
Grand River country, and I had become more acquainted with
the people elsewhere than at Grand Rapids. But in the spring
of 1837, 1 sat down at Grand Rapids to make it my permanent
home. I boarded at the Eagle, then kept by our late Mr.
Moran. The three brothers Nelson were boarders, and had a
store opposite. Being a little suspicious of Indian sugar, they
used to bring sugar from the store for their tea and coffee.
Charles Taylor had his shop over their store, and Horsford
Smith had a store further down the street. Waterloo was
then rather the business street. There were two warehouses
on the river below, and two at the foot of Monroe street.
Uncle Louis Campau's mansion is still a part of the Rathbun
House. Richard Godfrey had a like house where the Catho
lic church was built (the sad fate of that house is elsewhere
noted), and Myron Hinsdill lived where is now the Morton
House. There was also a building on the north side of Mon
roe street, in which Drs. Willson and Shepard had their office,
and Esquire Beebe (I think) his justice office. Dea. Page,
with his three beautiful daughters, Mrs. Richmond one of
them, and Judge Almy, lived where Butterworth & Lowe's
machine shop now is; and A. D. Rathbun had a shanty office
near Bronson street.
Though there were but few houses, there were a good many
people. There were the brothers Lyman, and Edward Emerson,
and then, or soon after, one Fuller. I cannot say precisely
who were in Grand Rapids, as they were coming in fast, and
all full of hope for a continuance of good money-making
times that would make all rich. The citizens were friendly
and social; a stranger was kindly welcomed, and all soon be
came acquainted. Quite a number of us who well recollect
those good old times, are still here.
There were many others. Mr. Thompson was the first

22 MEMORIALS OF THE
keeper of the Bridge Street House, and then Gen. Withey.
Wm. Richmond was clerk of the Kent Company. Mr. Cal-
der had a store near Mr. Coggershall's; Ed. Emerson, one on
Canal street; and many French people had followed Uncle
Louis — the Godfreys, Mr. Marion, and many mechanics, who,
after the change of times, went to St. Louis and other parts.
The settlers out of the village were Judge Davis, and the
Reeds out by the lake; Alvan Wansley, the Messrs. Guild and
Burton, by the Fair Grounds; Esquires Chubb and Howlett
towards Grandville; and then, over the river, Mr. E. Turner,
Capt. Sibley, the Messrs. Davis, and afterwards, Mr. Scribner.
Others had gone upon the lately purchased Indian lands,
and soon many more came in, and went upon the unsurveyed
lands north of the Grand River.
There was no grist mill this side of one near Gull Prairie,
nor was there need of any ; for the little grain raised, whether
wheat or oats, was bought up for horse feed, at $2 per bushel.
There was a saw mill about where Sweet's Hotel now stands;
one where the plaster mill stands, at Plaster Creek, and the In
dian Mill, on Indian Mill Creek. They did put into the last
named mill a run of granite stones to crack corn, and the like.
At a later day, coming in possession of that proferty after
the mill had disappeared, I removed these stones to the front
of my house, where they are an historical horse-block.
The Indians still lived on the west side of the river, and
planted large fields of corn. They had a little church and a
priest — the simple-hearted and good Vizoski. Horace Grey
and his brother Lyman were also here; and that spring Horace
and I went, down the river to Grand Haven in a kind of keel-
boat, sailed by Capt. Sibley, and propelled by the current. We
walked down the lake shore to Muskegon, where were then
living only Mr. Lasley and Mr. Trottier (called Trucky), In
dian Traders. Martin Ryerson, the last time I saw him, told
me he was then clerk of Trottier, at $8 per month. On our
return up the river, we came as far as Yeomans (Lamont) in a
little " dug-out " canoe, as big as a clam-shell. Stopping over
night, we concluded that it would be easier to foot it up through
the woods than to paddle the canoe around by the river. On

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 23
our way, who should we meet but Capt. Victor Harris, who
said he had come out to the Grand River on my recommenda
tion of the country when he met me in Detroit.
That spring there was great activity in business here and
all over the country, and an expectation of a continuance of
the good times. But^as unexpected as a sudden thunder-storm,
a change came over the country. The New York Legislature
passed a law authorizing the banks to suspend specie payment;
and Gov. Mason convened ours for the same purpose. At that
extra session they not only authorized the banks then in opera
tion to suspend, but also such banks as should go into operation
under the general banking law lately passed; which resulted in
the killing of 40 wild-cat banks.
When I left Detroit in April, all was hope and expectation
of as good a season for speculation as the preceding one; but
when there again in June, all the plats of choice lands and
villages were removed from the walls of the hotels and public
places, and all faces had so changed that one could hardly rec
ognize his acquaintances; and it was taken as an insult for one
to speak of land operations. But we were so deep in the woods
that we did not seem to realize, for some time, the great change
that had conie over the rest of the world.
Among the Grand Rapids' enterprises, a steamboat had
been bought at Toledo to run on the Grand River. But on
the way it was wrecked on Thunder Bay Island, of Lake Hu
ron. But the engine was saved and brought around, and Mr.
Richard Godfrey built a boat, which made its first trip down
to Grandville on the 4th of July. We had quite a celebra--
tion ; an oration on the boat, and great rejoicing generally on
that account.
Though I met no one in the Grand River Valley —lio had ever
seen me before I came into the State, still, strange. ; , they nom
inated and elected me to the Legislature, to represent the Grand
River district, consisting of Ottawa, Kent, Ionia and Clinton
counties. Almy and some others were aspirants, and had their
frieuds, still, my nomination was almost unanimous. Capt.
Stoddard (captain of the steamboat), a brother-in-law of Mr.
Bostwick, was the Whig candidate; a worthy man, who lived
afterwards at Charlotte.

24 MEMORIALS OF THE
There were then the two taverns — the Bridge Street and the
Eagle. The convention was held at the Bridge Street House,
and I was boarding at the Eagle. In the evening who should
arrive but the Hon. C. C. Woodbridge, the Whig candidate
for Governor — out canvassing. He was acquainted with the
landlady, Mrs. Moran, and she . introduced me to him. He
inquired of me for his friends — Messrs. Henry, Bostwick and
Stoddard. So, after he had taken his supper, I showed him
where they lived. The gentlemen being out, I introduced him
to the ladies. The next morning, on meeting Mr. Trowbridge,
he expressed, as well he might, his surprise at seeing in the
backwoods such a circle of accomplished ladies; and, also, that
a political opponent should have been so civil to him.
There were but five places of holding the polls — there being
but five organized townships in the four counties. In Kent
county, Byron and Kent; in Ionia county, Ionia and Maple;
and in Clinton county, DeWitt. The election was held at the
Bridge Street Hotel. All the voters of Ottawa county came
up on the steamboat) and, in a line, marched to the polls. I
was elected by a large majority, and in January, 1838, went to
Detroit on horseback. The going was very bad, for there had
been heavy rains and snow. At Detroit I put up at the Na,
tional, now the Russell House.
The great questions before the Legislature that winter, were
the location of the railroads, and the amount to be expended on
each road. For the improvement of the Grand and Maple
Rivers, $30,000 was appropriated, which was applied to im
proving the harbor at Grand Rapids, clearing out the river
channel at the foot of Monroe street, and removing the sunken
logs all the way up the river to Lyons. Several towns were
organized. In Ottawa, Ottawa, Georgetown and Tahnadge;
in Kent, Grand Rapids, Paris, Walker, Plainfield, Ada mid
Vergennes. Some titles were given in the military line : Gen.
Withey and Col. Finney. Rix Robinson was made one of the
five internal improvement commissioners. There was a law
passed authorizing Kent county to borrow money to build a
court house; Squire Abel and Judge Davis were the super
visors of the county, and Squire Abel came in to borrow

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 25
money from the school-fund to build the said court house. In
his hurry, he got the money, much of it the bills of the failing
wild-cat banks; and I fear the county has some of it still on
hand. The troubles in Canada resulted in bringing many settlers
to the Grand River Valley.
I must say a word about banking at Grand Rapids. There
was the Grand River Bank, of which Almy was president and
Richmond cashier. It was in the office of the Kent Co., on
Bridge street. Mr. Coggershall and some others became dis
satisfied, and undertook to establish another bank, to be located
in the Campau plat part of the village. They got a room over
Smith & Evans' store, about where the west part of Luce's
Block now is; and, after much urging, Louis Campau
consented to be president, and Sim. Johnson to be cashier-
They named it the " People's Bank;" got plates engraved, and
some bills struck off, and even put in circulation. The capital
stock was $100,000. So, under the law, it required $30,000 in
specie to start on. Being all ready, as they claimed, they sent
for the Bank Commissioner, Digby V. Bell, to come, make
examination, and put the bank in legal operation. But instead
of finding the required amount of specie, he found but $6,000;
and they proposed to make up the rest by a draft of Mr.
Coggershall, of $20,000, on a broker in New York, and one of
Mr. Ketchum, on Chicago, for the balance. Mr. Bell did not
see the propriety of the arrangement, and said it would not
do; so what next was to be done? They not only had bills out,
but they had received deposits; and the specie shown, I sup
pose, was deposited to be drawn out as soon as the bank was in
operation. They were very auxious to go on in some way, and
so far satisfied the commissioner that they could, that he agreed
to give them a month for the purpose. But then it was to be
on the condition that the means on hand should go into the
hands of a receiver, for the security of the bill-holders and de
positors. When it was talked over who that man should be,
they could agree on no one but myself. I did not at all like
any connection with the matter, but, after much urging, con
sented to it. It was to be kept as it was for the month, except

26 MEMORIALS OF THE
to pay out to such cash depositors as should claim their money,
and to redeem their bills then in circulation. Without any
formality Mr. Bell handed me the keys of the safe, and said
there was about such an amount of specie in this safe ; and
hills, and what he had passed upon as specie equivalent, in the
other. You will see now why I speak so particularly of this " Peo
pled Bank." The next morning, on opening the safe contain
ing the paper deposits, I found missing some $2,000. I felt
it rather an awkward predicament. But soon Mr. Campau
came in, and said there were two key7s to that safe, and he
thought Mr. Cook had the other one. After a time, Judge
Morrison came in, and said that while Mr. Ball was at dinner
yesterday, he took the missing money from the safe, and car
ried it to the cashier, Mr. Johnson, who was sick at his room.
More of the money was soon drawn out by depositors and bill-
holders; and when the month came round they were no better
prepared to go into operation than before, and I had- to keep
charge still longer. But,' wishing to go East, Mr. Bostwick
took charge of what there was left, and I went back to Troy,
having been absent two years, instead of a few months, as I
expected when I left there.
After visiting for a time, I picked up my law library, rather
scattered through the offices of the city, and returned to Grand
Rapids, to the surprise of some; for it had been reported that
I was not going to come back, otherwise they said I should
have been again nominated for the Legislature. As it was,
they had just put in nomination C. A. Finney. I was after
wards, in 1840, put in nomination for the Senate, to be beaten
by II. P. Bridge, the opposing candidate.
When I first came to Grand Rapids, Louis Campau was
said to be worth $100,000; but when the change of times
came, he made an assignment of all his property for the bene
fit of his creditors, except the Old Congregational Church,
which he deeded to his mother. He had built that church for
the Catholics, and they held meetings in it for some. It was
to be paid for by the bishop; but from some disagreement, he
did not take it. After a time she sold it to the Congrega-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 27
tional Society, reserving, however, the iron cross, the same
that has since surmounted the stone church. I drew the deed
from Mrs. Campau. Mr. Ballard was present, and urged not
to have the eross excepted in the deed, saying that he could
worship under the cross. But she would not consent. When
they wanted to take it down, men were sent up to remove it.
They built a staging, and tried to lift it out of the timber in
which it stood. When they found they could not, they sawed
it off. Owing to a defect in their arrangements, it fell to the
ground, and in falling, carried with it one of the men, a Mr.
Post, who, of course, was instantly killed. At the time I was
standing on the steps of the National Hotel, with D. V. Bell,
who remarked of the man being killed: " It has only knocked
the shell off." This was by no means said in a thoughtless
manner, but to express his religious views, that the body was
not the real man.
Mr. Campau had erected a number of other buildings,
among them the Eagle Tavern, the yellow store, and a dwell
ing for his brother Touissant, on the corner where Luce's
Block now stands. He had started Touissant in business, and
becoming surety for his goods, probably occasioned the neces
sity of his making an assignment. Still he had considerable
left after all his debts were paid. His brother Antoine, C. P.
Walker and Judge Martin were his assignees.
Times became very dull in our valley, and there was very
little increase in the population. In Grand Rapids, there
was a decrease. Emigration all went past us to Illinois and
Wisconsin. There was no money, and our merchants, who
tried to do business, had to trust the farmers on the strength
of their growing crops. But the wheat, when raised, brought
but three shillings a bushel, so there was a general failure
of all business. We had enough to eat, but little to wear;
and if we could get money enough to pay postage, it was all
we expected. All that was done, was by exchange. Judge
Morrison says, that in building a pretty good house he paid
out but one dollar. .All that was done, was by exchange or
" dicker." Times were decidedly dull; and to fill up the time, we used,

28 MEMORIALS OF THE
in the evenings, to attend the Debating Society, of which C.
P. Walker, Mr. Ballard and Charles H. Taylor were the great
est talkers. And then we used to get up hops at the " Bridge
Street" and "National;" had John Ellis for musician. This
same Ellis has "hung up his fiddle and his bow," and long
flourished as a successful mill-owner in Alpine, where he now
lives, retired from business.
Some settlers had gone on the government lands north of
the river, before they were surveyed. In some cases, the lines
cut their improvements badly, and then there was some clash
ing among the claimants. But it was agreed that a committee
of each township should settle these claims.
When the public sale of these lands came on, in August,
1839, the great question was, how to raise money to pay for
their lands, for they had expected to have made it by their
farming. Though told there was no danger, they were so fear
ful that speculators would bid off their lands, that they went
to Ionia with clubs to fight them off. But the speculators did
not come, as they had had enough of land speculation in 1836.
Still, some of these squatters borrowed money at 100 per cent.,
of Mr. Richmond — acting for Gov. Hunt, of New York — and
paid for the lots, giving a mortgage on the same. It was a
long time before some of these mortgages were paid ; and those
who let it pass, and did not buy, did much better, as you will
see further on. But were not those hard times with us?
Congress, in the session of 1841, granted to each of the new
States in which there were government lands, 500,000 acres
for internal improvements. The next winter our Legislature
passed an act, accepting that grant, and authorizing the Gov
ernor, Mr. Barry, to make the selection, as Congress had
authorized. Knowing that I was a woodsman, he wrote to
me, asking me if I would select those lands. Not having
much business on hand, I answered that I would, but wished
his instructions, or at least, opinion, as to what class of lands
it would be best to take— whether pine or farming. Much to
my dissatisfaction, he said he should leave it entirely to my
judgment. Still, I accepted the appointment, and prepared
for the business. I went to the Land Office at Ionia, to pro-

GRAND RIVEE VALLEY. 29
cure the necessary plats. Judge Lovell, who was then the
Registrar, politely gave me every facility. Frederick Hall
wishing to go out as an assistant, I employed him at twelve
shillings a day; and I also took James D. Lyon, then a youth,
as cook and camp-keeper. I was then boarding at Judge
Lyon's, who kept the Bridge Street House, and I had been act
ing as agent for James H. Hatch, after Mr. Walker left. But
Mr. Yale had come on with full power of attorney from Mr.
Hatch, so I passed that business to him ; purchased an Indian
pony, tents, blankets, etc., and on the 20th of March, put into
the woods — the ground being as fully settled as in mid-sum
mer. Our first trip was up by the Wright settlement, and the
west part of Alpine, where we found Coffee and Goding, they
being the last settlers, three miles beyond any others. We
then went on and encamped the first night on a creek near the
north line of Wright. The next day, leaving Lyon to cook
supper and see that the pony did not stray, Hall and myself
ranged the woods far around to see the character of the land,
keeping our reckoning by the surveyed lines and surveyor's
marks, returning weary at night, ready for supper, and to
wrap ourselves in our blankets. This was repeated from day
to day, moving our camp as occasion required. In that trip
we explored all that splendid timbered country in the east part
of Ottawa county, down to the Grand River, along which were
the only settlers. After some ten or twelve days we came in
to get a fresh supply of provisions, and then went out again.
I had heard of prairie lands up on the Muskegon, so to see
them I went out by the east part of Alpine, and there found
Mr. Hills, three miles in the woods, making shingles; and his
accomplished wife got us a dinner. Hills soon after died.
His sons were then young, and p>robably did not expect all the
good fortune they have since realized. We encamped by
Camp Lake, and the next day reached Croton. Tliere we
found a saw mill, owned by a Mr. Peachim, who had pur
chased of Mr. Brooks, then at Newaygo. To my disappoint
ment, the prairies proved to be but thin-soiled pine plains. So
we quit exploring in that direction, and struck through for

SO MEMORIALS OF THE
the Flat River, coming out about at Greenville. There I found
the country much more satisfactory — -rich bur-oak plains and
good pine timber. I there found Luther Lincoln, who, with
his son, a boy of thirteen, were living a hermit life — the only
inhabitants of Montcalm county. Still he seemed glad of
company, and explored with us while in those parts.
Tliere were in Otisco, Ionia county, Mr. Cook, Mr. Morse,
and a few others; in Oakfield, Mr. Tower and sons, Mr. Davis
and Mr. Crinnion; in Courtland, Mr. Bears and four or five
other families ; four families in Cannon; one in Grattan; but
few at Plainfield, and none on the road from there to Grand
Rapids. There was a good deal of feeling and some alarm among our
people about the selection of so large a quantity of land in one.
county, under the belief that they would be kept out of the
market by the State, or held at a high price. So, out of re
gard to those feelings, I made a trip down the lake shore.
We went out on the trail to Muskegon, where there was then
one saw mill; crossed over the head of the lake by boat, swim
ming my pony; then by a trail to White River. At the head
of White Lake we- found Charles Mears, the only settler north
of Muskegon. He had a little mill on a small creek, and a
small sloop to ship his lumber to Chicago. His men, with
their boat, set us across the lake. It made the pony blow to keep
his head above the water; but he weathered it, and we struck for
the Clay Banks, and so kept along, finding a stray boat to cross
the Pent Water, and went as far the Pere Marquette. We
then returned, exploring some, back through the country;
came to the outlet of the White Lake; forded it on the bar,
and came to the mouth of the Muskegon, expecting means of
crossing, so as to come to Grand Rapids. But there was no one
there, and we had to go back round the north side, and en
camp. The next day some Indians carried us over to Muske
gon, and we returned on the trail in a rain, making rather an
uncomfortable encamping. We made up our minds that our
trip down the lake shore was one that invited no repetition for
the pleasure of the thing.
I was instructed to make report of such lands as I had se-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 31
lected to the Land Office, and also to the Government. But
thus far I had been looking generally, and had not reported
any. On much reflection, I made up my mind that, as the
State was deeply in debt for building railroads, and the State
warrants, as the State obligations were called, were in the
hands of many people all over the State, and the State had no
means of meeting this indebtedness but these lands, the Leg
islature would be pressed on the subject, and would pass a law
putting the lands into the' market at such a price that they
would sell, and be purchased by the settler. I therefore de
termined to make the selections from the nearest unsold lands
up and down the Grand River. I afterwards made my explo
rations with that view, and soon made report of selections. I
continued my explorations until the 4th of July, and then
again went out in the fall. I was in the woods in Bowne,
when that fall of snow of more than two feet came on the 18th
day of November. The old settlers will well recollect that
winter, 1842-3, which lasted till some time in April — five
months. As I was about the country that fall, I noticed a
great number of hogs, and on asking the owners what they
were going to do with them, they said, "let them run." They
had lived through the previous winter on acorns, and if killed
now the pork would not pay for the salt.* Quite three-fourths
of them were salted in the snow, and also some of the cattle.
Hall and Lyon had quit ine some time in the spring, and I
then employed a Dutchman by the name of Thome as camp-
keeper, and carried on the business without further help. He
has a fine farm in Alpine, bought with his wages.
I selected some lands, also, on the south side of the river, in
Gaines and Byron, and some in Ottawa, in Jamestown, and
Statesland, thus named from this fact. The quantity selec
ted and reported was nearly 400,000 acres; the balance being
selected by other parties in other^parts of the State. Mine
were mostly farming lands, but some pine.
As I anticipated, the State Legislature did, at the next ses
sion, pass a law for the sale of those lands, at the nominal
government price of $1.25 per acre, payable in State dues;,
warrants could then be purchased at 40 cents on the dollar,

32 MEMORIALS OF THE
bringing the lands at 50 cents per acre. After the passage of
this law, the settlers who had not paid for their lands — and
there were many of them who had not — wished me to report
their lands as selected, and I did so. • The State Land Office
was then at Marshall, and when the sale came on in July, 1843,
they sent out by me to bid in their lands — having, most of them,
by some means, got the small sum required — and all got their
places without opposition, for they sold so cheap, none were pur
chased on speculation. After the lands had all been offered at
auction, I made entry of a few lots, and paid for them with the
warrants I had received for my services in selecting. I
charged $3 per day, and got what was worth 40 cents on the
dollar; but in paying for the lands it was worth dollar for
dollar. But if I had been paid in cash, as I expected, it would
have bought two and a half acres instead of one.
Though but few purchases were made at the first sale, some
from the east part of the State having knowledge of the oppor
tunity, made some purchases. After a time, emigrants bound
for the West, came to look, saying to me (for they all came to
me for information), " We don't expect to like Michigan lands,
but as they are selected lands, and can be got so cheaply, we
thought we would come and see. But, to their surprise, they
were well suited, and all purchased. On their report, a dozen
would follow, so that in a few years the great majority of those
lands were settled. I not only furnished them with plats, and
directed them to the lands, but purchased warrants, sent them
to the office, and made the purchases. If the funds were a
little short, I gave them time to make up the deficiency, and
if much was lacking, I would take the land in my own name,
as security, giving them a receipt for what they paid. I man
aged to keep every man who came, in some way; and never
had occasion to complain that they did not, on their part, ful
fill their engagements.
I have been thus particular about those Internal Improve
ment Lands, to remind you to how great an extent it advanced
the settlement of our valley. When, a few years afterwards,
the Hollanders came in, and took the balance of those lands
down near their settlement, and they and the other settlers

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 33
came to Grand Rapids for their supplies, business revived, and
we moved on again.
None of these first purchasers had much means— just
enough to pay for their lands, and subsist till they could raise
something. For a time they got on slowly. What they raised
would bring but little. But they made improvements; their
calves grew; so that when prices improved, they found them
selves better off than they were aware; built barns and good
framed houses, in place of their little first log cabins.
It does me good to go over those then forest lands, along
well-made roads, lined with fine white houses, rich orchards,
and fruitful fields.
Nine out of ten of those have succeeded — showing that
cheap lands and industry are the surest road to competence,
especially for young men and those of limited means.
I do not at once recognize them all, but they do me, and re
fer, with seeming gratitude, to their first coming to the coun
try, and my aiding them in getting their farms. This, to' me, is
better pay than the little fees they gave me for those services."
Uncle John, you are right. You have as many friends as
the minister, and many a heart says " God bless you."
THE GRAND RIVER VALLEY IS 1837.
There was a rush of settlers into the Grand River Valley in
1836, and thereabouts; and a furor for locating lands as a
speculative investment; a mania for platting cities and sell-
ling lots. This was followed, of course, by a re-action.
From 1833 to 1837, may be called the years of occupation.
The furor passed, and the sober realities of backwoods life had
brought jieople somewhat to their senses. It was thought
proper by the author to pause at this point, and give a general
and graphic view of the Valley in 1837. To do this, the Hon.
John Ball, whose business called him at that time into every
part, and made him acquainted with every person, was ap
pealed to. To this appeal he kindly responded, by furnishing
the following article. There is no doubt that the public will
add their thanks to those of the author :

34 MEMORIALS OF THE
" In 1837 the Grand River settlement was far detached from
the rest of the world. To reach it from any direction had its
difficulties, and required much time. If approached by what
was called the northern route, through Shiawassee and Clin
ton counties, it was a day's journey from house to house to
Ionia. The only other approach with a team and wagon was
by the " Territorial Road," as it was called, through Calhoun
and' Kalamazoo; then by a day's journey from Battle Creek
or Kalamazoo, to Yankee Springs, and another to Grand Rap
ids, or other parts. This was the usual route to Kent and
Ottawa counties; keeping over the " openings " east of the
Thornapple River to Ada. There was a bridle path or trail
through the timbered lands direct out throurh Gaines to Green
Lake and Yankee Springs; and another through Byron to Alle
gan; and there was communication by keel-boats and "dug
outs " up and down the river. By these routes all supplies of
goods, and even most of the breadstuffs for Kent and Ottawa
counties, were brought. In Ionia county, being longer settled,
they raised their own bread.
A colony, under the lead of Mr. Dexter, had come into Ionia
in 1833; and a few as early into the other counties of the
Grand River Valley. The Ionia settlers, as soon as possible,
made arrangements to be independent of the outside world,
as far as it regards food. But in Kent and Ottawa they had
come as mechanics, or to operate in platting towns, and selling
corner-lots. And here, so deep in the woods, they did not give
up their hopes in that direction until long after it was known
and felt in the habited parts of the country, that backwoods
village plats were merely things on paper.
The traveler on horseback, by the usual route in those days,
would stop at night at William's; and later in the year at De-
Lang's; the next night at Scott's; and by the next night, riding
through a dense forest twenty-five miles, he would reach Ly^
ons, perhaps Ionia. Or, by another route, through a more
open country, he could go to Portland, and down along the
Grand River to Lyons. There were then at Portland, Mr.
Boyer and three or four others. At Lyons was a tavern' kept
by the late Judge Lyon. His brother Edward, since in De-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 35
troit, was living in a fine little cottage on a bluff of the river.
There were perhaps some dozen other villagers, and a few
farmers. Mr. Eaton and Mr. Irish, whose wives were of the
Lyon family, had farms up on the Portland road.
Three miles above Ionia was a saw mill on Prairie Creek;
and on a little stream from the hill, a grist mill. At Ionia
were a tavern, a store, mechanic shops, and a few dwellings,
all unpretending and limited in build and business. But
hereabouts, in the country and in the woods, were a number of
farmers — Esquire Yeomans, a little below the village, in his
log house, and all the rest in theirs. If night overtook the
weary traveler too far away to reach the usual place of stop
ping, he was always kindly welcomed to lodgings and fare,
the best the cabin afforded; and would find as marked proof
of good order, skill in cooking and neatness, as he would find
in the sumptuous mansion. And also in the cabin the trav
eler would usually find a shelf filled with instructive books;
and from conversation with the inmates he would discover
that they had been read. The people of the Valley were so few
that the pe:-son who traveled much soon became acquainted
with most of the dwellers therein, and the sparseness of set
tlers led to greater cordiality when they met. Their common
wants, sometimes for almost the needs of life, led to kindly
thought of each other, and kindly, neighborly acts. And then
they had the example of the Indians, then residing all along
the Valley, who are always hospitable, and who not unfrequently
aided the first settlers, by furnishing the means of subsistence
from their cornfields and the chase.
The Indian is too good a farmer to ever till a poor soil.
Their cornfields were on the rich bottom. land of the rivers.
They had one at Lyons, in the forks of the Maple and Grand
rivers. Ionia was located on an old Indian improvement. An
extensive field was at the mouth of the Flat River, on the right
bank, and then again at the mouth of the Thornapple.
As the Indian mode of tillage was the laborious one of
breaking up the ground with the hoe, the settlers, in preference
to taking the unsubdued land, ploughed the Indian fields for
the privilege of cultivating a part; and, side by side, the In-

36 MEMORIALS OF THE
dian corn generally looked tlie best, for the squaws were very-
good with the hoe.
Rix Robinson, the first Indian Trader on the Grand River,
resided at Ada, and his brother Edward one mile below, in his
log house, from necessity larger than usual, to accommodate
his large family of 15 — his " baker's dozen," as he used to say.
Still, they often had to entertain the traveler bound to Grand
Rapids. The bedroom of the weary traveler was the roof or
garret part of the house, with good beds, eight or ten, ar
ranged under the eaves, access to which was under the ridge
pole; it being high enough there for a man to stand upright.
There were always two in a bed, and the beds were taken as
the parties retired; say, a man and his wife first, then two boys
or girls, and so on. This is mentioned as the usual manner at
stopping places. At first it would seem a little embarrassing
to women and modest men. But use soon overcomes that
feeling; and always in those times all seemed disposed to be
have civilly, and to act the part of a true gentleman ; occasion
their kind entertainers the least possible trouble, and still re
ward them liberally for their fare, as was right they should, as
their food had come all the way from Buffalo or Cleveland.
Uncle Louis Campau, as he was usually called, was the next
trader on the river, unless Mr. Generau, at the Maple, was be
fore him. Campau sat down at Grand Rapids, and built his
log dwelling and warehouse about half-way between Pearl and
Bridge streets, on the bank of the river, the trail to which was
where now is Monroe street.
In the year 1837, the Grand River settlements were far de
tached from the rest of the world. The approach from any
direction required much time, and was attended with some
difficulty. If by what was called the northern route, through
Shiawassee and Clinton counties, there was but one stopping
place in each— Lang's and Scott's. Then there were some
twenty -five miles of dense woods to reach Lvons, and about
the same to Portland. These were the usual routes in, for the
Ionia people.
For Kent county and the region below, the approach was
made usually by the so-called Thornapple road. This came

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 37
from Battle Creek to Yankee Springs, in Barry county ; then
east of the Thornapple River, through the openings, to Ada,
where it joined the road from Ionia to Grand Rapids and
Grandville. The travel below Grand Rapids was, in summer,
by keel-boats or' canoes, and in winter, on the ice. There was
a trail, or bridle-path, to Grand Haven, and down the lake
beach to Muskegon, and also to Allegan. Sometimes there
was a winter road more direct, out, going through the heavy
timbered land in Gaines to Green Lake, Middleville and Yan
kee Springs. There were other Indian trails in many direc
tions. Most traveling was on horseback, requiring five days from
Detroit to reach Grand Rapids. From Ionia, the traveler
crossed the Grand River at Ada in a canoe, into which he put
his saddle, towing his horse behind the boat. Coming from
the south, when the water was high, the crossing of the Thorn-
apple was in the same fashion. Soon scows were put on the
river, on which teams and loads could cross.
No roads as yet were made, nor bridges built, so the travel
ing by wagon was rough and slow.
As to settlement, beginning at Portland, there were Mr.
Moore, Mr. Boyer, and some half dozen other families. At
Lyons, ten miles down the river, a few more than at Portland.
At Ionia, the village was small, but there were quite a number
of farmers around. They made their first planting ground of
the old Indian improvement, where the city of Ionia now is.
Squire Yeomans had his farm below the village, and some had
settled on the other side of the river.
At Lowell, on the left bank of the river, was Mr. Marsac,
and on the right bank, on an extended plain, an old Indian
planting ground, was Louis Robinson. At Ada, were Rix and
Edward Robinson.
Tliere was already quite a population at Grand Rapids.
Many settlers followed Mr. Campau from Detroit, and others
came from all parts East. The Messrs. Hinsdill, Henry and
others, from Vermont; Mr. James Lyman and his brother, from
Connecticut, and many, more than from all other States, from
New York. Perhaps at this time tliere were 500 in all — more

38 MEMORIALS OF THE
than at times could be well accommodated for room. It seemed
to be an attractive spot, where every comer seemed to think
it was the place for him to make a fortune. This was the case
in the first part of the year, but before the year was through,
that feeling had much abated, for it was in this year that the
speculation bubble burst.
On Monroe street there was then Louis Campau's two-story
frame house, since a part of the front of the Rathbun House,
corner of Monroe and Waterloo streets. Mr. Richard God
frey had a similar building a little above. Mr. Myron Hins-
dill had one where the Morton House now is. Darius Winsor
was on the corner of Ottawa and Fountain streets, and was
postmaster. The arrival of the weekly mail was an event. In
after times, if one had money enough to pay the high postage
of those days, he thought he was well-oft". There was a house
opposite the Rathbun House, where Esquire Beebee and Dr.
Willson then had their offices. Both were worthy men, but
both soon departed this life. Dr. Shepard was here, and at
times the only physician.
At the foot of Monroe street, where is now open space, were
three stores, or warehouses; one of them, then or soon, occu
pied by Judge Morrison. Opposite, or where the buildings
^between Monroe and Pearl streets stand, was what was called
the Guild House; and on the side hill, about where the Arcade
building stands, was a log house.
Down Waterloo street was the Eagle Tavern, then kept by
Louis Moran, and on the other side of the street were the stores
of the Messrs. Nelson (James and George). Down the street,
in the chamber over the store, was Mr. Charles Taylor's tailor
shop, and in the same building was Mr. Horsford Smith's store.
Opposite, on the river's bank, were three warehouses, one of
which is said to have been the first framed building in the
place, and was erected on the west side for a church. It was
moved over on the ice by Campau.
Going up street into the Kent plat, there were two or three
shanties on Canal street, two small offices oh Bronson street,
built for the Land Office, expected to be at Grand Rapids in
stead of at Ionia. On Bridge street. Mr. Coggershall lived in

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 39
the house now standing east of the Bridge Street House. Op
posite was the office of the Kent Company, built by Judge
Almy. At this time, though Canal and Kent streets were nearly
impassable by reason. of stumps, and mud from the water ooz
ing from the hills above, lots were selling for $50 per foot.
There was a passable road from Fulton street to Cold Brook
under the bluff on the east. Canal street was, in wet weather,
little better than a quagmire.
There were as yet but few farmers in Kent county. Out on
South Division street, beyond the Fair Grounds, was Alva
Wansley. Over beyond, were Mr. Guild and Mr. Burton.
Southwest, of Reed's Lake, were Judge Davis and two Reeds.
Going down the Grandville road, all was woods. At Plaster
Creek was a small saw-mill. Plaster could be seen in the bed
of the stream near it. As one went on, to the right, and off
from the road, near a marsh, were the salt springs, with paths
deep worn by the deer coming to lick the salt water; and just
below, near the river, were observed the Indian mounds,
near where the railroad now crosses the river. On the left of
the road, farther on, was Esquire Chubb's log cabin, and over
the cieek beyond were Mr. Howlitt and Mr. Thompson.
The first house in Grandville was that of Julius Abel, Esq.;
the next, that of Major Britton. Osgood & Bleake kept a
tavern — Osgood was a lawyer. Charles Oakes was there, and
a number of others; and they claimed that, as the navigation
of the river was so much better up to that point than it was
above, Grandville would compete with Grand Rapids. Then
some half dozen settlers had begun in the woods south of
Grandville. On Buck Creek, Haynes Gordon and Wright
had saw-mills. Near the mouth of Rush Creek, the Mich
igan Lumbering Company had a saw-mill, and a Mr. Ketchum,
of Marchall, one a little above. A little beyond, in Ottawa
county, were Hiram Jennison and brothers. Beyond these few
settlers all was deep forest, to the lake, and to the then new
little village of Allegan.
Going down the river, three miles from Grandville, was a
Mrs. Burton. The next house,, on the other side, was thr.t of a

40 MEMORIALS OF THE
Mr. Yeomans, where is now Lamont, squatted on the newly
purchased lauds. Then, on the south side, below Bass
River, were Rodney and Lucas Robinson. No more in Otta
wa, until Grand Haven. There were Mr. Ferry, who, with
Rix Robins6n, owned the village plat. The three brothers
White, Mr. Troop and a few others, were residents. This place
being the grand harbor of the Grand River, soon to become a
big city, its lots, corners and all, were held at high prices.
At Muskegon were two fur traders, Mr. Lasserly and Mr.
Trottier, with the latie? of whom was Martin Ryerson, serving
as clerk at $8 per month.
The lands north of the Grand River, in Kent and Ottawa
counties, had only been purchased from the Indians the prece
ding year; were not in the market, and were not even yet sur
veyed. Still, settlers began this year to go on them, and to
make pre-emptions, as they called it. They erected log cabins
in which to live, as all the farmers in the Valley did ; and many
of the houses in the villages were of the same construction.
Still, then, as ever, these jjioneers were hopeful, and seemed
quite happy.
All the impression the white man had made on the country-
was but a cypher. The largest clearings had but a few acres.
The old Indian clearings were of greater extent than the white
man's. They had quite a tract cleared at the junction of the
Maple and Grand Rivers; at Ionia, Flat River, Thornapple.
At Grand Rapids their clearing extended along the river from
Mill Creek down to a short distance above the Plaster Mills,
but not extending far back from the river. At Grandville was
the Little Prairie.
The government built for the Indians a mil] on the creek,
near where it is crossed by the D. & M. Railroad. The Indi
ans had a village of twenty or thirty houses, built of the lum
ber sawed by this mill. In 1837, all the ground spoken of
above as then a cultivated field, was planted with corn, which
the women well hoed. The men fished and hunted. They
lived all up and down the river, and through the country, as
ever before; and every fall assembled at Grand Rapids to
receive pay for their lands.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 41
All beyond these Indian and white men's clearings was
onejnterminable forest, the same as before the civilized man
had entered upon the lands. In this Valley they lived in
peace, tod mostly there were in those times confidence and
kindness between the different races. But there were some
wrongs, more often committed by the whites than the In-
diaas. All was a grand and noble forest, with its tall pine, its sugar
tree'.' and beech, and the sturdy oak scattered over what is
called the " openings." These opening lands extended along
generally on both sides of the river to a greater or less dis
tance back, through Kent and Ionia counties, up the Flat
River to Greenville, and along the east side of the Thornap
ple. From Grand Rapids to Plainfield, and about that vil
lage, there was comparatively little timber, so that the travel
er on the old trail could see quite a distance about him. This
scarcity of timber was also observable in parts of Grattan,
Oakfield and Montcalm. But all of Ottawa, the south part of
Kent, to the Thornapple, and the north part, commencing
even in Walker and the south part of Ionia county, were .
heavily timbered with beech, maple, elm, oak and other hard
wood trees, with patches of pine. Towards and along the
lake in Ottawa county, the timber was pine and hemlock. In
these forests the travelers could often see the fleet deer cross
ing his track, sometimes pursued by the wolf.
On the west side of the river, near where the Bridge street
bridge is, were two block houses, where a Baptist Missionary
preacher or teacher, by the name of Slater, taught some of the .
Indians. But Father Vizoski (the Catholic) had more con-
verts^ and a little meeting house at their village below, which
was the only meeting house on either side. In this, that
worthy priest would hold forth to the Indians, the French and
English-speaking people, to each in their own language.
Of course, there were no bridges over the river, but there
was a fording place between Islands No. 2 and 3, or below the
railroad bridge; and when the water was too high for fording,
a ferry-boat was used.
And now, the effect of the break-down of the wild specula-

42 MEMORIALS OF THE
tion of 1836, and the high hope of the first half of this year,
began to be seen. Faces began to indicate thought and care.
Business flagged, and Mr. Campau's laborers and mechanics,
lacking occupation, began to seek labor elsewhere. No sale for
corner-lots, and money, to pay for bread to eat, grew scarce. In
Kent county, not half enough grain, of all kinds, was raised to
feed the horses, and all else had to come from Ohio or New
York — for to the west of us, they had raised as little as we.
As another trouble, our wild-cat money would not buy things
beyond our own limits.
Monroe street follows the trail to Campau's Indian trading
post, on the bank of the river. It kept along close to the im
passable swamp, extending north from the corner of Monroe
and Division streets, then wound along at the foot of an ab
rupt hill from Ottawa to Pearl street. This same hill con
nected with the (now disappearing) hill between Pearl and
Lyon streets. Beyond these hills the trail descended to Bron-
son street. South of Monroe street, the descent was steep, and
the ground was so low as to be deeply covered at high water.
The boat channel of the river was between the island and the
main, and the landing was where the blocks of stores now are
on the south side of Monroe street, at the foot of Canal street.
West of the foot of Canal street, north of Pearl street, was Mr.
Wadsworth's saw-mill."
The value of the above article will be appreciated in after
days. Its graphic simplicity will commend it to the general
reader, and the fact that it is from one who knew whereof he
wrote; whose memory is tenacious, and whose honesty is pro
verbial, renders its historical accuracy, reliable.
THE CRASH.
" The warrior bowed his crested head,
And tamed his heart of fire."
Grand Rapids, then a village in the wilderness, had her dark
day in 1837; when the light went out in her dwellings, and
when bankruptcy and ruin seemed to be the presiding o-enii

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 43
of the -place. No town felt more the crushing effect of the
financial revulsion which paralyzed the business of the coun
try between 1836 and 1842. During the few years before,
Grand Rapids had been one of the centers of speculation.
Settlers were filling up the region around, and great things
were undertaken there; some wisely, and some based on sup
posed prophetic vision. A saw-mill, the greatest in the world,
was begun; one that should "saw out young saw mills."
Lots were held, and sold at fabulous prices; there was money
in everybody's pocket — "wild-cat" money. Everybody was
getting rich. Speculators were greedily buying up land and
lots. No matter if a man did owe a few thousand dollars; he
had the land and the lots, which were sure to double their value
in a year. But as Burns says:
" The best laid plans of mice and men,
Gang aft agley."
All who lived in those times, know that there was the gen
eral idea that fortune was ready to shower down her golden
treasures on the owners of wild lands or corner-lots. Lawyers,
doctors, merchants and capitalists at the East, became rovers
in the woods in search of lands. They bought lands and went
home to dream of fortune. Alas ! in after years their counte
nances elongated when they found it was all taxes and no sales.
We are afraid that they, as the Dutchman expressed it,
" thought cot tarn;" when, annually, their agent reported taxes.
Some did more than think; they actually "swared" "the
lands might go to blazes for all their paying taxes." But in
1835-6, land looked beautiful. Rainbow hues were in the sky.
Ah! yon have seen them in the floating bubble. But only
think of a bubble covering the whole United States. It was a
splendid bubble — it was an enormous bubble. The banks, in
the shape of expanded loans, had furnished the gas, and ten
million pairs of lungs were strained for its inflation. All at
once the bubble burst, and the banks, speculators, merchants,
all found themselves gaping and gazing into blank space.
The big bubble had all their hopes in it; when it burst, their
hopes were dissipated, and nothing was left but a bad smell.

44 MEMORIALS OF THE
Their first expression, in blank dismay, was, "Who would
have supposed it was hollow?"
" Then there was running to and fro
Of the panic-stricken crowd,
And speculators' tears fell fast,
And merchants swore aloud."
But why dwell on the dismal picture? It is all black; there
is no use in coloring it. Land and lots would not sell for any
thing. Debts alone were undiminished. As a consequence,
about all failed. So general was this the rule, that the man
who had not failed was almost ashamed to walk the streets, so
wofully was he out of fashion.
When stricken down, a man will either die, live a cripple,
or get well. It is so with a community. The Grand River
Valley recovered, after being crippled long. The year 1842
showed hopeful signs; the convalescence continued until 1846,
when, in full health, it entered on a career of rational prosper
ity.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 45'

IONIA COUNTY.
IONIA.
Ionia was one of the points of earliest settlement, and is the
center from .which the settlement of Ionia county radiated.1
To all intents and purposes, Ionia and Lyons were but one;
and in pioneer history are to be treated as such.
It is scarcely proper to consider the trader, who has taken
up his abode among the Indians, as a settler, or the bogus
manufacturer, who has sought the wilds for purposes of
concealment. There were the Indian Trader, Louis Generau,
and the bogus maker, Belcher, who had their places of busi
ness in Ionia county before 1833.. Still, the spring of 1833 is
the era of civilized occupation. Then a company, consisting
Samuel Dexter, Erastus Yeomans, Oliver Arnold, Joel Guild,
Edward Guild and Darius Winsor, all with their families, and
William B. Lincoln, a single man, came on in company, and
located themselves at Ionia. With the exception of Winsor,
who joined them at Buffalo, they started together from Ger
man Flats, N. Y., April 25th, left Buffalo May 7th, came on
steamer to Detroit; left Pontiac May 14th, were at Fuller's,
Oakland county, the 15th, at Saline the 19th. At that point
they had before them the unbroken wilderness. From the
20th to the 28th, they journeyed and camped in the woods.
They were obliged to cut roads to get along through Clinton
county. A child of Dexter died on the way.
They brought with them some means, and they complain
of no great hardship. True, the journey through the wilder
ness was fatiguing, but they had their families with them, and,
camped around the bivouac fire at night, they could enjoy the
novelty of their situation, and they enjoyed the romance of
their situation. The pathless wild was new to them; and
there was novelty in the wolf-s3renade. Young men, love to

4G MEMORIALS OF THE
combat and conquer. They had to conquer fallen trees, and
and deep ravines; but there was a hearty " Yo-he! " as they
rolled the one from the track, and a pride of conscious man
liness as they wiped their sweaty brows, having crossed the
other. But how was it with the women and children? Wo
man is not such a frail, delicate being as the poets represent
her. When she nerves herself for serious action, she will
shame the men by her resolute and cheerful endurance. Be
sides, she likes rustic life as well as a man. She tires of con
ventionalities, and delights for a time in an adventurous, semi-
savage way of living. And the young folks — it is their glory.
The old survivors of that expedition will tell you they en
joyed the journey. They had the spirit of youth, or middle
life, and that likes adventure. They felt that each day was
creating a memory. They have lived over that season a thou
sand times. They have since battled with the forest; but the
individual trees they cut down, have left no memory; but that
big oak which lay in their way, and with which they joined
issue, that is remembered. They have since eaten many a
good dinner, now forgotten; but they still gloat over that sup
per by the spring in Clinton county. And how those who
were boys enjoy the recollection of the way they used to chase
and scare those sneaking loafers of the forest — the wolves.
Perhaps they met a bear, lean from his winter's fasting and
sluggard rest, who stolidly passes by with his "you let me
alone, and I'll let you alone" air; and who, if politely invited
to turn out, will rise upon his haunches, double his fists, and
say, " turn out yourself; I'm a bear." Whether this company
met Bruin or not, tradition does not tell ; but he has met
others, and such is his way.
There were banks of streams to dig down, so that the wagons
could be got across. But it was " hurrah, boys ! " and the road
was made. There were bushes and trees in the way, but this
« hurrah, boys! " put both aside. Swamps must be got over or
around, but "hurrah, boys!" found the means and the way.
The exciting day's work done; the camp pitched— it 'was
then "Molly, put the kettle on." The mysterious "Black
Betty," that had been concealed all day, appears, and receives

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 47
the hearty kiss of the tired, but cheerful group. Soon, supper
comes smoking to the table — no, log. That dispatched, the
male scions, each with his back against a tree, lights his pipe,
and philosophically contemplates the wreathing smoke, while
the more youthful ones get up a dance to extempore castanets.
Not so bad after all, this journeying in the woods, with
enough to eat, a little of something else, and congenial com
pany. But we will throw imagination aside. We talk and
live prose most of our lives. Poetry comes in as a luxury,
not as everyday fare.
The 28th of May brought our pilgrims to Ionia. It was
too late for putting in crops by clearing the land, so they
bought an Indian plantation, plowed and planted five acres
with corn and potatoes. They paid the Indians $25 for their
crops and improvements.
They had come in prepared with articles for traffic, which
they exchanged for venison, fish, etc. They lived mostly from
the Indians, and nearly in Indian fashion, and on the most
friendly terms with their Indian neighbors.
The company mostly located on Sec. 19. They had some
spare means; had two span of horses; about ten head of cat
tle. They got a few boards from the Indian mill, at Grand
Rapids. Dexter, Yeomans and Winsor built them log houses.
The rest lived in Indian huts. Before, their goods came round
the lakes, they were rather straitened. These did not arrive
until the middle of the summer. In the winter they had a large
coffee mill with which they ground their corn. This mill for
a considerable time was of great service to them and other
settlers. They had some flour brought around with their goods,
and they had Indian sugar.
The Indian settlement was where the city of Ionia now is.
Some five hundred Indians, who were under the Flat River
chief, stopped there, for making sugar, fishing, etc. They also
raised some corn. As friends, the Indians and settlers lived
together, with mutual benefit. The first winter passed, the
Indians knowing they had sold their rights, cheerfully gave
up their cherished homes to the whites. They knew that they
occupied only by the sufferance of the Government.

48 MEMORIALS OF THE
There was some scarcity of provisions the first winter, reme
died by laboriously transporting them from Gull Prairie.
Otherwise, as this company had come prepared, they tell of
little hardship or suffering.
It is proper here to state that the colony consisted of the Dex
ter family, nine persons; Mr. Yeomans' family, nine persons;
Winsor's family, seven persons ; Arnold's family, ten persons ;
Joel Guild's family, seven or eight persons; Edward Guild's
family, — • persons. In addition to these families, as single
men, Dr. W. B. Lincoln, a young physician just commencing
practice, two unmarried brothers of Dexter — Winsor Dexter
and Warner Dexter — P. M. Fox and Abram Decker. The
fortunes of these pioneers of Ionia county, it is proper here
briefly to state:
A. Decker did not stay long
Patrick M. Fox now resides at Muir.
Samuel Dexter spent his life at Ionia, where he died in
1856. Judge Yeomans, in a good old age, is still living at Ionia.
Oliver Arnold, a blacksmith, is dead. His sons are at Ionia.
Edward and Joel Guild soon went to Grand Rapids, and are
dead. Darius Winsor also moved to Grand Rapids, and is dead.
Dr. Lincoln, in a green old age, is still at Ionia.
Warner and Winsor Dexter were but transient residents.
Further particulars of these individuals may be gathered
from the biographical articles.
In November, 1833, an addition was made to the little col
ony; Alfred Cornell arriving with a family, consisting of four
men, six women and two children. The whole force of the
settlement was voluntarily directed to showing them how the
pioneer welcomes a new-comer. In two weeks a house had
been built for them; of course not a palatial mansion, but a
snug loghouse, built without boards, glass or nails; in which
blankets and sheets did duty as doors and windows, but after
all, as it was the best house in the settlement, they might have
put on airs.; and doubtless would, had they been made of such
material as constitutes fashionable society. As souls were a

GRAND RiVER VALLEY. 49
part of their personal outfit, they let their children play with
the children of those who spent their first winter in Indian
huts, and acknowledged fraternity with those who lived in
humbler dwellings. There are people now, living in princely
residences, and blessed with all the appliances of wealth, who
welcome others according to their mental and moral worth ;
and do not measure them by the accidents of fortune. God
bless the whole lot of them! A rich man with a soul in him
is a person worth bowing to. We see women, too, ( I didn't
say "ladies," as "women" is a much nobler word,) who,
abounding in all that wealth can give, still place themselves on
the level with common humanity, and prove their nobility by
their noble sympathy with all that is good, and pure, and holy,
whether found in a palace or a hovel. Unworthy is he whose
hat can stay on when he meets such a woman.
Were it not for this morbid propensity to preach, when
events furnish a text, the history would advance much more
rapidly. Descended from a long line of deacons, and destined
in youth for the pulpit, the propensity was ground into the
historian's nature. Well for the world that a lack of ortho
doxy induced the conservators of the church to discourage his
ambition, otherwise, his interminable preaching would have
been terrible.
But coming back to the colony: They gave a heart-warm
welcome to Cornell and his family group. Cornell had, as he
supposed, made provision for the coming season, having laid
in a stock at Detroit. But the open character of the winter,
and the swollen streams rendered it impossible to get them to
Ionia, and in consequence there was, not hunger, but little
variety, and rather short commons. They learned to live upon
little; that eating was not the business of life, but that we eat
to live. Corn cake and 'maple sugar, with a piece of smoked
sturgeon, or a venison steak occasionally, is not so very terri
ble. They had plenty of corn and Indian sugar, which is fully
equal to the " hog and hominy " of old Kentucky. What are
you "growling about? In the writer's humble opinion, old Par
son Jennings was about right. He (God rest his pious, jovial
old soul) was pastor long ago of a church in Western Massa-
4

50 MEMORIALS OF THE
chusetts. One day, visiting at the house of one of his parish-
oners, the good lady complained of hard times. He took her
to task for her unchristian grumbling; telling her that if we
had potatoes and salt enough to eat, we should be content, and
thankful to God for our blessings. Of course, in deference to
the dictum of the "minister, " she shut up, but had a thought
or two, notwithstanding. In due time the dominie (no, minis
ter) was invited into another room for supper. On the table
were a fine lot of baked potatoes and some salt — nothing more.
lie reverently, and with full expression of thankfulness, in
voked a blessing, and with the rest sat down. Looking at the
table, and then at the woman, he said: "Potatoes and salt are
good, and we ought to be thankful to God that he has bounti
fully supplied them to us. But it does seem to me, that since
I am a minister, I ought to have a little butter."
Now these settlers had. corn and sugar, with fish and veni
son, and they were not ministers, and had no business to grum
ble; and historic truth compels the writer to say, there is not
even a tradition that they did grumble.
In March the "victuals " came on from Detroit, and we are
afraid that young Doctor Lincoln had some practice in conse
quence, but concerning that, contemporary history is reticent.
At this point we will briefly sketch the history of those who,
in 1833, formed the nucleus of civilized settlement in Ionia
county. THE YEOMANS FAMILY.
It has already been stated that the old pioneer is still, in
feeble old age, a resident of Ionia. A long, useful and honor
able life is drawing to a close. He waits to be gathered to his
fathers- the last of those who brought their families with
them in 1833. His son, Sanford, has always lived in Ionia.
Amanda married the Rev. Alfred Cornell, and, as a mother in
Israel, has passed from earth.
Alanson and Hiram died as young men. Maria lives in
Ionia as the wife of J. K. Sandford. Mary is the wife of G
H. McMullen.
Tho Guild and Winsor families are, in their history
identified with Grand Rapids.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 51
THE CORNELL FAMILY.
The father is elsewhere more particularly noticed in a bio
graphical article.
His sons were Alfred, Daniel and Thomas, the last of
whom came to Ionia with a wife and two children.
There were four daughters :
Mary married Asa Spencer (now of Otisco). She died in
1853. Lydia died single, in 1835.
Caroline is the wife of Mason Hearsey.
Sarah married Ezra Spencer, and resides at Saranac.
1S34 brought as accessions, Geo. Case, wife and two chil
dren. He was drowned, 1836, at the mouth of the Thornap
ple, which he was crossing on horseback.
William Doty, then a single man, brother-in-law of Case,
came with them and still remains.
John E. Morrison, with wife and one child. There is a
fine residence across the river from Ionia, where Morrison,
not much the worse for wear, is now to be found.
The next year, 1835, brought more accessions:
Mason Hearsey, who has been a part of Ionia ever since.
Alonzo Sessions — " May his shadow never be less."
Job Sessions — always a part of Ionia history.
Gilbert Caswell, with wife and five children. He lived in
Ionia some fourteen years. With him came —
Joseph Hadsall, wife and three children. He stayed but
about two years.
Elisha Doty, an old man, having with him a wife two
daughters and a son. The son, Charles Doty, died a few
years since. One daughter, Maria, married James Crofford.
She is dead. The other daughter soon went East.
Dexter Arnold, brother of the blacksmith, with wife, and
four children. He has always remained.
Benjamin C. Barber came with Caswell, and still remains.
Lyman Webster bought out Joel Guild, but did not stay-
long. Samuel H. Yates, with wife and son. He is dead. His
son, J. Lockwood Yates, is still a resident of Ionia.

52 MEMORIALS OF THE
Osmond Tower (a single man). He who, in Ionia county,
has not known Tower, is himself unknown.
Julius C. Abel, the first lawyer in the Valley, first stopped at
Grandville; next tried Ionia awhile, where he took a leading
part. He then went to Grand Rapids, and was long a noted
personage there. He died in 1873.
John P. Plaice; he died at Prairie Creek.
William McCosland, stayed several years ; kept a hotel ;
moved to Wisconsin.
So far as known, these are all who settled at or near Ionia
before 1836. The organization of towns, placed some of these
in Easton and Berlin. But, identified in interest, and consti
tuting a neighborhood, they have been considered as one. The
three points in the county, from which settlement radiated,
were Ionia, Lyons and Portland.
The same principle will be adhered to in marking the pro
gress of settlement, which, after 1835, was rapid for a time.
It has been found impossible to give the names and history of
but a portion of those who came in 1836.
During that year settlers were pushing into almost all the
towns in the county. Of those who, in '36, settled at or near
Ionia, we have gathered the names of :
Dan. D. Brockway, who was but a transient resident.
Sylvester Thompson, now a worthy farmer in Easton.
Daniel Clapsaddle; he was killed at a raising.
Mrs. Mary Smith, a widowed sister of S. Dexter. She had
one son, Samuel E. Smith, and a daughter Jane, who married
Sylvester Thompson.
Jeremiah Eaton, stayed one year, and his courage gave out.
George W. Dickinson, soon removed to Otisco ; is now a
resident of Grand Rapids.
There is little historic value in a further specification of in
dividuals. 1833-4-5 had opened the way, and it is due to
those who were the pioneers, that their names should be a
part of the traditions. The reports sent back by these, caused
others to come, and it was comparatively an easy thing for
them to get along.
The colony did not neglect the wants of the young. As

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 53
early as the winter of 1834-5, Dr. Lincoln taught a school for
three months in a little building which he had for an office.
The next fall, Mason Hearsey taught the first public school.
Amanda Yeomans kept the first summer school in 1836. She
was the first wife of Elder Cornell. She died in 1865, leaving
the impress of a godly life.
The Christian people early began to hold public worship at
private houses, reading sermons, etc., before the advent of the
one who, to use his own words, "had taken his life in his
hands, and come all the way from Ohio, to go into the back
woods and preach the Gospel to the heathen."
This devoted luminary we will not here name. He was a
Methodist circuit preacher, and came to teach the heathen at
Ionia in 1835. He was a genuine specimen of the now ex
tinct class — "the roaring Methodist," with a voice like the
" bulls of Bashan." He had zeal enough for a dozen preach
ers, and lacked only brains and culture to have made him an
acceptable preacher to the aforesaid heathen. At one time
this missionary was roaring a hymn at a house where he was
stopping. Having exploded it through, he asked a young wo
man present, if she sang. She told him she could sing, hut
did not. Lie said to her, "Those who can sing, and don't,
should be made to sing." She snappishly replied, that those
who could not sing without braying like a donkey, should be
made to hold their noise. He sighed at the display of human
depravity, and, in her presence, was afterwards unmusical.
Soon appeared, as herald of the gospel, Larmon Chatfield,
then a young man. He was the pioneer preacher in many of
the towns around; has always been identified with Ionia
county, and the region around about it. Though not very-
old, Mr. Chatfield is superannuated and broken, a wreck of
what he once was. As preacher and presiding elder, he spent
his years of active life with a people that now honor him as
the good man who did his best by example and precept to lead
others to a higher life. What is left of Chatfield is at Port
land.. He is not what he once was — a man of vigor and mental
strength — but he is still the Christian gentleman, genial and
interesting when talking of scenes and events of long ago, but

54 MEMORIALS OF THE
to whom the present is a blank, leaving no trace on his
memory. Thy work. is well done, Chatfield, and thy Master is calling
thee!* A postoffice was established in Ionia in 1835 ; Mr. Winsor,
postmaster. STEPPING BACK A LITTLE.
In 1835, Ionia — what is now the whole county — first appears
in the political world as a town attached to Kent county. The
first town meeting was held at the house of Antoine Campau,
April 6th, 1835; Alfred Cornell, Moderator; William B.
Lincoln, Clerk. (Sworn by S. Dexter, Esq.) Elected:
Erastus Yeomans, Supervisor; William B. Lincoln, Clerk;
Franklin Chubb, Gilbert Caswell, H. B. Libhart, Assessors;
Philo Bogue, John E. Morrison, Nathan Benjamin, Commis
sioners of Highways; Samuel Dexter, John McKelvy, Direc
tors of Poor; Asa Spencer, Constable and Collector; Daniel
McKelvy, Constable.
At a special election, May 12th, called for that purpose, A.
Cornell, George Case, and John McKelvy were elected Com
missioners of Common Schools; and William D. Moore, A.
Cornell, Jr., Nathaniel Soules, and William B. Lincoln were
elected Inspectors of Schools. This started the common
school system in Ionia county.
At the second township meeting — the last when Ionia was
attached to Kent county — the following officers were elected :
J. C. Abel, Supervisor; J. E. Morrison, Clerk; J. Boyer,
Asa Bunnell, E. Yeomans, Assessors; Nathanial Soules, Con
stable and Collector; I. Boyer, W. D. Moore, S. Dexter, Thos.
Cornell, Justices; Wm. S. Bogue, Lorenzo Dexter, Consta
bles. This meeting was held April 4th, 1836, the records say at
Ionia; but tradition says at Generauville. Joshua Boyer was
Moderator. In 1837, when Ionia consisted of two and a half tiers of
townships, the first year after the establishment of the county,
*Chatfield died in 1876.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 55
Cyrus Lovell was elected Supervisor. Voted $50 to encourage
killing wolves; also $50 for the poor.
Skipping the special records of the succeeding elections, we
will simply give the Supervisors for a few years: 1838, Asa
Spencer; 1839, Cyrus Lovell; 1840, E. Yeomans.
In 1834, Mr. Dexter, much to the joy of the people, put in
a run of stones for grinding in his saw-miil. Before that, the
people had either availed themselves of the aforesaid big coffee-
mill, or had gone to Pontiac or Gull Prairie, to mill; some
times even carrying the grain on their shoulders. Incredible
as the last may appear, it is nevertheless true, that in some in
stances it was done. In one instance, a man who had his grist
on his back, returning from Gull Prairie, was out in a snow
storm, in which more than a foot of snow fell. He, however,
persevered, camped in the woods, and on the fifth day arrived
at his home, in the last stage of exhaustion. His wife had
given him up as dead, thinking he had perished in the storm,
and set out to find him, following the trail. Thrilled with joy,
she met him some miles from home. But so strong was the
revulsion of feeling that she could not eat of that fi.jur, pur
chased at so terrible a price.
But in 1834, late in the season, they had a mill of their own.
The day when the first grist was ground, was observed as a
holidays Everybody, his wife and all his children, were there,
to witness the great event, which showed them they were re
lieved from the dread necessity of going forty miles to mill.
The first grist ground belonged to Asa Spencer. It is reported
that it was tolled three times — first, by Dexter, then by Mather,
the miller, and last by John Dexter, because he thought the
tolling had not been done. Be this true or not, the story has
so floated down on the tide of time, and was long used to illus
trate the fact that, while the mill was a God-send to the people,
it bid fair to be a good thing for the owner. This mill did
service for a number of years, and is remembered with grati
tude by every old pioneer.
To Ionia — town and county — 1836 was a memorable year in
more senses than one. An element of Ionia's prosperity
wrought almost starvation. This y^ear a Land Office was loca-

56 MEMORIALS OF THE
ted there, and the fever for buying western lands on specula
tion was running high. The rush of those greedy for lands
was immense, so that applicants were often obliged to wait
weeks before their turn would come. The office was fairly be
sieged by an elbowing crowd, each with his bag of specie,
clamorous for his chance. These must be fed and lodged
somehow. They ate the people out of their small stores of
provisions, and teams were dispatched to Pontiac for food. A
killing frost had destroyed the corn-crop and injured the pota
toes. How the people wished the land-seekers had not such
appetites! As potato after potato disappeared down their
throats, the money looked mean, which they liberally paid.
Ox teams were dispatched to Detroit, and some of the earliest
sent were fortunate in their journey. But in the winter the
trip was terrible. Rivers must be crossed, with the anchor ice
running; and the ground was in such a state as to render the
transjDorting of a load, not impossible, but terribly difficult.
Thirty days would be consumed in a trip to Detroit. But pro
visions must be had, and with almost incredible labor they got
them; and no one starved, though they ate what was obtained
by the sweat of their brows.
Notwithstanding what has been said, 1836 was the big year;
for settlers, too numerous to particularize, canie pouring in,
and of the right sort, too. To individ ualize would be invidious,
as this year closed with probably ,a thousand people in Ionia
county. But it must be recollected that Ionia was then the
-whole of what was the next year the county.
Then again, those who came in 1836 were not pioneers.
Others had opened the way, and built saw-mills, a grist-mill ;
had raised crops, and " the poor had the Gospel preached unto
them " by Monett.
But it is a noticeable fact that the men who have since been
looked up to, were the men of '36, or the years preceding. A
gentleman who was present at the raising of Alonzo Sessions'
house, and saw the group of young men who had come to
gether, was forcibly struck by the impression that he had never
seen so fine a lot of young men together on such an occasion.
In fact, a disproportional part of the earliest settlers of Ionia

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 57
county were young men of talent and character. They made an
impression which has not been obliterated. This remark is
measurably true of most of the towns in the county, strikingly so
of Ionia; no town anywhere, for intellect and moral worth has
stood higher; the moral atmosphere has always been good,
and the dominant influence on the side of virtue. No place
has done more for education or religion than Ionia; and there
is no place where it is easier to rally the people in a good
cause. For this, bless the early settlers. The time had come
when New England was not, as when she settled "New Con-
neticut " or northern Ohio, cleansing herself of the worthless
part of her inhabitants. The time had come when the best
and most enterprising of her sons were looking to the West.
An Ohio man, some years ago, proposed as a toast, " Ohio
and Kentucky — the former settled by the offsconring of New
England: the latter by the elite of Virginia. See what free
dom has done for the one, and slavery for the other." If, as
is true, Ohio was settled by those whom New England could
well spare, and its high civilization is a growth of an age, it
is not true of the Grand River Valley. The time had come
when the flower of New England and Western New York were
going to the West, as was deeply felt by those who were left
behind. Probably no Western State was settled by so good a
class of people as Michigan. Young as she is, her institutions
are being copied by the older States; and for civilization, re
finement and culture she need not blush in the presence of
old Massachusetts, which is the pioneer of American civiliza
tion. Massachusetts is still fettered by some of her old ideas,
which the freer genius of Michigan has discarded; and there
fore the strides of the young Michigan will be the more rapid.
But God bless the old "Mother of States." A little conserv
ative, as old people always are, she is a good, old motherly
State, and her children call her blessed.
But where are we? In Ionia, in 1836. This year, in imita
tion of older places, the 4th of July was celebrated; Alonzo
Sessions, orator, and Thomas Cornell, caterer, on the occasion.
Doubtless, the oration was good, for Mr. Sessions is not in the
habit of speaking unless he has something to say. But tradi-

Sj

58 MEMORIALS OF THE
tion speaks not of his oration, except that he orated. But to
show that the ancients were not very different from . the
moderns, while the intellectual feast is forgotten, the dinner
and the dance are still held in cherished remembrance. By
that dinner Mr. Cornell established his reputation, and the
dance is the one to which the grey veterans now look back as a
season when youth and beauty beguiled the hours in such a
way that the remembrance of it is a pleasure. They had not
a band of music, for all they could muster for the day's pa
rade was a fife and drum. In the morning's divertisement they
had the strains of a backwoods Pag-anini — John Smith — and
we will suppose that " soft eyes looked love to eyes that spoke
again," for that is nature. But, while the season was one of
social jollity, it was one where self-respect was preserved; they
were not dependent on artificial excitement; they were too
self-respecting to need or tolerate intoxicating drinks. When
the small hours of morning bade them seek their homes, all
were sober, all were happy.
That dance is one of the sweet remembrances of the " good
old. times " when social intercourse had a soul in it.
Passing 1836, the history of Ionia, for a series of years, is a
history of her losses of territory. Divided in 1837, by a north
and south line, into Ionia and Maple, and then shorn of one
township after another, we find her a simple town with a snug-
little village — the county seat— with a slow but steady growth,
until the completion of the D. & M. railroad; then, instead of
being herself a tributary of Grand Rapids, she became the
central and market town of Ionia county.
Ionia has-no natural advantages ; it owes its existence, even as
a village, to the fact that on the arrival ofthe first settlers, the
Indians had a clearing, which they obtained; and that being
nearly central, it was by the infant county made the county
seat, and to the location of the U. S. Land Office tliere. The
two last gave it a precedence over Lyons, which had some nat
ural advantages. The prestige which it obtained by being the
center of public business, it has kept up; and business enter
prise has not been lacking. She had the start of Lyons before
the railroad came, and the railroad left Lyons in the lurch.

c?

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 59
From the time that Ionia cut loose from her dependence on
Grand Rapids her progress has been steadily onward. Trade
received an impulse, some manufactories were started, and
wealth sought investment there. Beautiful residences began
to adorn the hill-side and the plain; fine churches arose; and
a noble school house — the pride of the place — crowned her
hill-top; and Ionia became a cityr. She is not, and cannot be
a great city; but it is, and will be, a place where people will
delight to locate for a pleasant, home-like vicinity. Ionia
prides itself on the good order, moral worth and respectability
of the people. It is not a favorable place for the bands of
" bogus niggers " to exhibit ; they are a little too self-respect
ing for such. Temperance has a strong hold on the people;
though it must be confessed, some few people do drink on the
sly, or have some infirmity that calls for medicine. A few
boys walk the. streets with a cigar in their mouths; for it must
not be supposed that in a place as large as Ionia all will know
what belongs to a gentleman, or that all the boys have been
well brought up.
Ionia was incorporated as a village in 1855 ; as a city in
1873. TRADITIONS OF IONIA.
In 1842, a man got drunk at a tavern, and on his way home
fell from his wagon and broke his neck. He was carried back
to the tavern ; and his funeral held in the bar-room, in view
of all the display of what steals one's brains, and makes man
a brute. The Rev. Mr. Overheiser conducted the services.
As Mr. A. F. Bell has repented of all his vices, and reformed,
as we sincerely hope, we may be excused if we tell a story or
two of him in that time of his life, when,- to use his own lan
guage, "he had a fine chance for improvement."
Tliere lived in the town, a Dr. Beckwith ; quite a character
in his wayr, as may be seen from his feasting the Lyonese.
Bell had mortally offended the Doctor; 'and in his wrath the
Doctor challenged him to settle the the affair " according to
the code of honor." Bell accepted the challenge ; chose pota
toes for the weapons; the place, the bridge across the Grand
River, the parties standing at opposite ends and discharging

60 MEMORIALS OF THE
their missiles until honor was satisfied. With ineffable dis
gust, Beckwith refused to have anything to do with one, who
could show so blood-thirsty a spirit; and insist on such
ungentlemanly terms.
This same irrepressible Bell and another were once crossing
the Looking GlassRiver on a log, when a deer was floated against
it by the current. They seized the deer, held his head under
water, and drowned him. Having taken off his skin, they car
ried it on a pole between them to Lyons. On the way they met
a man, who was surprised to see them with a fresh deer skin, as
they had no gun. He asked them how they killed it. Bell
told him the facts in the case, but the man said, " Tell that to
some green-horn that don't know anything." " That's just
what I did," was the cool answer. '
In 1856, a beautiful little girl, seven years old, the daugh
ter of  Page, went out riding on her pony, accompanied
by an older girl. In the principal street the saddle turned,
and the child hung by her foot in the stirrup. Frightened, she
screamed, which startled the pony, which, after dodging about
a moment, ran for the stable. The child's head was struck
against the side of the stable door, and she was killed. What
renders this peculiarly aggravating is, when the saddle turned,
and the pony was shying here and there, a dozen men were near,
yet no one had the presence of mind or courage to fly to the
rescue and seize the beast. Comment is needless.
The first wheat exported from Ionia was sent down the
river by Giles Isham, in 1839 — 2,254 bushels.
The first birth in Ionia county was that of Eugene Winsor,
son of Darius Winsor, which happened in 1833.
Winsor has the credit of being the first born of white pa
rents in the Grand River Valley, but Emily Slater got the
start of him by eight or nine years.
The following article is from the pen of one who knows
whereof he wrote, the Hon. Alonzo Sessions :
" No adequate idea can be formed of the difficulties and
dangers attending the first settlement of Ionia county, with
out taking into account the condition at the time. It was a

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 61s
vast wilderness, a hundred miles distant from other settle
ments, with no roads for communication in any direction, and
no possible channel for supplies but the circuitous, hazardous
and expensive water communication around the lakes and up
the Grand River. The whole country was in the possession of
a strange and savage people, who would naturally regard the
new-comers as not entitled to a friendly welcome; with
abundant leisure, always armed, and with sagacity enough to
know that the incomers were at their mercy7.
With scanty supplies; with continued uncertainty as to ob
taining more; with no shelter, except the poor wigwams pro
vided by the Indians; with everything to make and build
anew; with all the hazards of toil, exjjosure, sickness, suffer
ing, starvation and death, they boldly took the risk, and con
quered every obstacle. By kind treatment and honest dealing,
the Indians soon became friends, and often supplied the mate
rial most in need when hunger came and famine threatened.
With a kindness or jirodigality unknown among thrifty, cau
tious people, they would divide their food, or part with all of
it, by turns, if the inducements were satisfactory. They often
became useful allies in navigating streams, and in other pur
suits ; and when the early settlers got in a condition to produce
a surplus of food, for a time after pay-day they were very
good customers; and a limited commerce with them was con
stant, and beneficial on both sides.
Under such circumstances, of course it was impossible for a
weak colony to make rapid progress. But men who had the
courage to make the attempt, were not the men to fail, and the
work progressed steadily from the outset. Fields were made
and planted; houses, mills and barns were built, and the work
went gradually, but surely on; gathering numbers, tone,
strength and power to the present time.
The first settlers, like all pioneers, had a village, perhaps
city, in imagination in the immediate future, on their purchase,
and the location of the county-seat for some time became a
veiy interesting matter to them, and resulted in their favor.
A stake was stuck in the ground and named "Ionia Center,"
though not very near the center of the county.

62 MEMORIALS OF THE
Very soon after the location of the county seat, the U. S.
Land Office was also moved there; and was the occasion of
great rejoicing, but it proved a very unfortunate thing for the
county. At the very time when the mania for speculating in
wild lands was raging, and the fever at its extreme height, the
Land Office was opened in the midst of an, extensive tract of
the most valuable lands, just thrown upon the market, by offi
cers so void of all sense of honor, as to practice daily, in open
daylight, the most bare-faced frauds upon poor men, that-
desired small tracts to live on ; and a criminal favoritism in the
interest of those who had money to bribe them, and to secure
large acres, to hold wild and waste.
Just at that time President Jackson's " Specie Circular "
came in force; and that enabled greedy officials to swindle
honest purchasers, in detail, and in bulk. It would require
too much space to describe all the methods of fraud and
swindling that were practiced, but a few of them will be given,
to-wit: The law required that each parcel of land should be
first offered at auction. The bids were required to be in writ
ing, and placed in a box, previous to the day of sale. When
the time for final decision came, all bids were missing, except
the one put in by the- favored one. Again, only gold or silver,
or the bills of a few favored banks were receivable for lands.
This was a surprise, sprung by the "specie circular;" and
many — in fact most poor men — came unprepared. The nearest
banks were at Detroit, 140 miles distant; and no road.' A
broker's office, across the street from the Land Office, was a
good thing to have, for gold and silver was in demand at 10
per cent, premium. The broker's office sold specie while the
supply lasted; but gave out before noon and night. At night
and at noon boxes were seen to pass from the" Land Office to
the broker's; and the specie, used to buy land was used twice
each day, and somebody pocketed 20 cents on each dollar of it
every day, and the money was taken from the pockets of those
that had no money to spare.
The result is soon told. Those who come to buy land to
make themselves homes, soon became disgusted, and" left. It
may be wondered why they did not tear down the Land Office,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 63
and tho office of the broker. But General Jackson was Presi
dent, and " by the Eternal " it might not have been safe. They
left peaceably, and the speculators, as they are called, took the
land and held it from settlement and improvement. Some
paid taxes upon it and others let it be sold for taxes ; and the
titles became mixed and doubtful, and careful men shun it.
Much remaining uncultivated and wild to-dayT.
The men who interfered to retard the settlement and improve
ment of the county, probably had no such purpose. Most of
them are punished. But the fact remains — if they had kept
away, and left the land for those who needed it, and would have
made a good use of it, Ionia county would to-day be worth
double what it is, and would be second to no merely agricultu
ral county in the State." BAPTIST CHUROH IN IONIA.
The settlers in Ionia were not unmindful of their spiritual
needs, and as early as June, 1836, took the initiatory steps to
organize a church. Under the guidance of Elder E. Loomis,
agent of the American Home Mission Society, the prelim
inary steps were taken to effect a church organization ; steps
which resulted in the establishment of the " First Baptist
Church of Ionia; " which church is the "pioneer church" of
Ionia county, and, with the exception of the Mission Church
at Grand Rapids, the first in the Grand River 'Valley.
An interesting and extended history of this church has been
written and published by Dr. Lincoln, one of those who founded
the church, and who still lives as one of its venerated mem
bers. From this history of the church by Lincoln, we con
dense and select, to bring it within the province of this work,
the following particulars:
The first banded members of the preliminary organization
were: Samuel Dexter, Erastus Yeomans, Alfred Cornell, and
their wives. June 24th, 1834.
At a meeting on the 23rd of August, Benjamin Barber was
received by letter, and W. B. Lincoln was received as a candi
date for baptism. At this meeting the church was organized.

64 MEMORIALS OF THE
The next meeting Lincoln was baptized, and was elected
church clerk.
On the 18th of Feb., 1837, the church met at the school
house in Dist. No. 1, and adopted articles of faith and cove
nant, and received by letter —
Geo. Dexter and wife, Wm. Wood and wife, Jeremiah Eaton,
Candis Dexter, Justus Barber, Mercy Smith, Delilah Clap-
saddle. There also appear as members of the church, J. Eaton and
Robert S. Parks. At this date the membership was twenty.
In May, 1837, Elder Sangster, his wife and daughter united
with the church, and he became its pastor, in which relation
he continued until Aug., 1840, when he was succeeded by
Rev. H. D. Buttolph, who continued pastor until the close of
1844. In 1845, Elder Alfred Cornell became pastor, and con
tinued in that relation seventeen years. During his time, a
house of worship was erected; the church recruited, and from
detachments from it, other churches were formed.
Since 1863 the church has been ministered to by J. H.
Morrison, two years ; Elder Cornell, two years ; Levi Parmely,
four years, during which time the new brick church was built;
J. Rowley, one year; Elder Deland (as supply for a time).
Present pastor, 1875, Rev. E. 0. Taylor. Membership, 250.
Other churches may complain at the comparatively large
space given to the Baptist Church in Ionia. The reasons are,
it is the pioneer church, and a warm-hearted member of it,
con amore, has furnished abundant material. A great major
ity of the churches have failed to make any report at all ; and
of many, all that is said, is the gleaning of a sinner, who
made arrangements with some leading member of every church
for the particulars of its history. If any churches are not
noticed, it is from their own failure to interest themselves
in it. LYON'S.
It will be recollected that for a time Ionia county was all
one town, and attached to Kent county. In 1837, this big

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 65
town was divided, and a tier and a half of townships on the
east were set off from Ionia, and organized as Maple. Maple,
in turn, was shorn of her fair proportions by the organization
of towns, set, off. What was left, in 1840, dropping the name
of Maple, assumed that of Lyons, in compliment to the Hon.
Lucius Lyon, who figured prominently in the Grand River
Valley in the earlier years of its history.
Those avant couriers of civilization, the Indian Traders, had
located tliere about 1830. These were Louis Generau, 
Brown, and Wm. Hunt ; the two last without their families.
Generau had identified himself with the Indians by taking an
Indian wife. He and Brown soon disappear from the scene.
Hunt, in 1834, brought on his family, and lived and died at
Lyons. There was also located there a lawyer by the name of Belcher,
with several men in his employ or gang, ostensibly trading
with the Indians, but in reality carrying on the manufacture
of " bogus." Belcher soon disappears, and they say that, hav
ing commenced life in a way that gave him a fine chance to
improve, he has made good the opportunity; that he is not the
Belcher that headed a "bogus" gang at Lyons. No, no; that
was another fellow; no relation of his, and he knows nothing
of him. Wishing to encourage all laudable efforts for amend
ment, we will not tell the name or whereabouts of that Belcher.
The first who, by bringing his family, gave evidence that he
meant to stay, was Henry B. Lebhart. Mr. Hunt had been
there some time making up his mind whether to settle or not,
and did afterwards take up his permanent residence, but not
until a year after Lebhart's appearance. Therefore, by com
mon consent, Mr. L. was the pioneer settler. It will not be
without interest to follow him in his track.
Lebhart then (1833) was a young man of talent, with a wife
and young family. He came on in April, selected his lands,
went back to Naples, Ontario county, N. Y., and came with
his family, prepared to build a saw-mill, and was accompanied
by teams, bringing his traps in general and the machinery of
his mill. He meant business. Some things he sent round
the lakes. They had to make their roads, and were over 20
5

66 MEMORIALS OF THE
days coming from Detroit. At what is now Lansingburg,
Shiawassee county7, Lebhart left his teams, and with two of his
horses, his wife and child, pushed on, following Indian trails,
and arrived at his chosen site, where Lyons now is, July 4th,
1833 (a little more than two months after the arrival of the
first settlers at Ionia). Mrs. Lebhart, at the time of their
arrival, was in the last stage of exhaustion from fatigue. She
could not stand. She and her child were carried byr the Indi
ans to their settlement on the left bank of the river, and put in
the quarters of Belcher and his band. There she was laid on
a pile of bear-skins.- Mrs. L. had before a slight acquaint
ance with Belcher and his wife, and he acted a gentleman's
part in befriending her and hers while temporarily an inmate
of his house. The gang acted suspiciously, evidently feeling
that she was a spy on their conduct; and Belcher seemed de
termined to protect her at all hazards, never leaving her a
moment unprotected. "Give the devil his due," is an old
proverb. Let Belcher be what he might, he was chivalrously
honorable in the execution of the charge he had undertaken.
There were wranglings between him and his men on her ac
count. She believed they wanted to kill her, especially after
they knew that she had found out their business. He never
left her and her child for five days, or until another shelter
was provided for them, and the teams had come in with their
provisions. They were supplied by the Indians.
While she, in her feeble, exhausted state, was lying in
Belcher's cabin, she was a great object of curiosity to the In
dians, who were continually coming to see the " White Squaw."
At one time she awoke, to be frightened by the sight of a big
Indian standing over her with a knife in his hand drawn back
behind him, as if ready to plunge it into her, he fixing his
eyes intently upon her; she screamed and fainted. Belcher
rushed to her side, and told her that he was a good Indian,
and that he was simply gazing at her with curiosity, and that
he merely happened to have, his knife in his hand to cut some
tobacco. This afterwards she well knew was true— that he
was a good Indian — and a good friend he proved to be to the
" White Squaw."

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 67
The journey from Detroit was one of fearful hardships — cut
ting roads, fording streams, building bridges, etc. The "mos
quitoes were awful," bloodthirsty and unrelenting. Lebhart,
fearing his wife and child could not endure much longer, left,
as before said, and pushed on, leaving the rest of the men to
endure the hardships of the journey, and to fight the irrelig
ious, uncircumcised mosquitoes as best they could. But they
got through in a few days — a set of as tired sinners as ever
welcomed an Indian camp, or launched their curses at
" skeeters." The child spoken of above is now Mrs. Ed. B. Armstrong,
of Saranac.
The first birth at Lyons was in 1834— a son of Mrs. Lebhart,
which died in a few days.
Lebhart and family lived in a tent until he had got up the
saw-mill, and sawed boards for a house. The Indians were
very kind, bringing provisions, etc. They had only scant
clothing ; bringing only what they wore, sending the rest
around the lakes. Such clothes as they wore they got of the
Indians; their own did not come for two years, and then all
spoiled. Their other goods came all right.
During the first year, Mrs. L. was chased by a big gray
wolf. Mr. Lebhart was always a prominent man at LyTons. He
was the pioneer Fourth of July orator of the West ; at least
west of Pontiac. How the historian's pen would delight to
linger over the scenes of that day. From the woods and
clearings the settlers had come in, in their best array, with
their wives and lassies, drawn by ox teams. The Indians,
knowing that the white people were going to have their big
" pow-wow," came out in all their paint and feathers to wit
ness the scene. And, if we may credit mythology, the gods
of the sky and regions below were looking/ on in gaping expec
tancy. Jupiter, in form of a big owl, was perched in the top
of a tree. Pluto, as an Indian, sat on a log near by ; Nep
tune, in the form of a big bull-frog, was in the edge of the
meadow, peeping out of a bog ; and anon he would lift his
voice and say " big thing ! " Mercury, in guise of a pigeon,

68 MEMORIALS OF THE
sat on a tree, ready to carry the report to the assembled coun
cil on Olympus. Venus, as a young squaw, was squatted on
the ground, with Cupid, her fat pappoose on her back ; and
Mars, as a red-headed wood-pecker, was lazily clinging to the
side of a tree. The day wore on ; and this is (from memory),
the report of the next Olympian Chronicle : " The morning sun
was auspicious of a beautiful day for the celebration of the
anniversary of a nation's birth. Coincident with the first
glancing of the beams of the rising sun on the trees in the
east, the booming of an extemporized cannon (a bellows nose)
announced the sunrise of the glorious morning. The flag (six
bandanna handkerchiefs) was floating in the wind. A barrel
of whisky was rolled out on the green. At ten o'clock the
meadow was alive with the denizens of the forest, who had
come to do honor to the occasion and the day. At eleven, the
procession was formed, marshaled by Bell, and headed by the
pioneer band — a fife and a jews-harp. Arrived at the stand,
the orator took up his glowing theme. Report, if you please,
the chain-lightning. It is reported by the crashing thunder.
But on this occasion the celestial reporter was obliged to throw
down his pen, and, with the rest, join in the hand-clapping, and
the shouting, "Bully!" Then followed the feast and the social
hilarity, when men and gods forgot all distinction, and on equal
terms commingled. Jupiter, an owl no longer, but an Indian
chief, tripped lightly in the dance with Mrs. Lebhart on the
green; Mercury, in the form of A. F. Bell, cavorted with the
young Indians, to the infinite delight of Venus, who at the
time was playing the agreeable to Cocoosh. But why partic
ularize? When all were jovial, who was the jolliest? As tho
sun, which, cloudless during the day, had admiringly looked on
the scene, was slowly and reluctantly descending to the west,
the crowd dispersed to their several homes. They mounted
their ox- wagons, cracked their whips, and shouted " Ge-lang!"
while the bellows-nose exploded in a farewell peal, which seemed
to be liberty's shout, "Long live America! long live Lyons!"
The accuracy of the above cannot be attested. Old Mercury,
the reporter, was given to story-telling, and had no more truth
in him than a modern reporter. This report is to be taken, as

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 69
Thucydides wisely remarks, "cum grano salis;" which is freely
interpreted by putting your thumb on your nose and wagging
your little finger !
This was the first, but by no means the last or most memor
able celebration of Independence at Lyons. One, a few years
later, " is still to memory dear." As a preliminary, we may state
that Dr. Beckwith had been made the butt of ridicule, through
a surreptitiously obtained letter of his to the " school-marm ;"
copies of which, to his intense disgust, and to the infinite
mirth of the Lyonese, had been posted on the trees and
fences. When the "glorious 4th" came around, the Doctor,
to make them forget the joke at his expense, provided the
feast of the day7. A beautiful dinner was spread, and all par
took of the baked pigs, that had been seasoned with Croton
oil. History sometimes draws a veil — it vnll kindly do so
here.
¦ Excuse digression. We will come back to 1833, during
which the company increased to 20 persons. Of these, were
Wm. Moore and family, among whom were two sons, William
and Daniel; Nathan Benjamin, David Hunt, John Gee, John
Knox and family, and William Merrill.
William Hunt has before been spoken of. He came on to
stay in 1834. He lived in the village, kept a kind of a " stop
ping place," where people could get something to eat, and
sleep " heads and points " on the floor. He had no regular
business — traded with the Indians a little, hunted bees, fished,
and did "odd jobs." He was a good, but not prominent citi
zen. When Isham put up a better tavern, Hunt removed to
a farm three miles out of town, where he died about 1858.
His widow survived him about four years; she had long been
blind. His daughter Ruth was the first teacher in the town
of Keene. She married Benjamin Thompson, and "moved
West." Another daughter (from whom these facts are gleaned)
is now Mrs. Conner, of Easton.
A good story is told of these Hunt girls, and our friend
Blanchard, of Ionia. The girls, out blackberrying, treed a
bear. One of them stayed to keep him up the tree, while the
other ran to Roof's office for help. Blanchard rallied several

70 MEMORIALS OF THE
men, who, with dogs and guns, were at the spot in short order.
Finding the heroic girl had kept the bear treed, instead of
shooting him where he was, they wished to have some sport.
So they, at first politely making their best bow to Bruin, in
vited him to come down, and play with the dogs. But he
only put his paw to his nose, as much as to say, " I don't as
sociate with dogs." They then threw clubs at him, but he
only growled. Blanchard said, "I'll bring him down." The
tree forked near the ground. Bruin was on one part, and
Blanchard, with a club, sprung up the other, and struck the
bear, they being on a level. Mr. Bear felt himself insulted;
and clinging with one paw to his limb, made a sweep with the
other at the one who had desecrated his sacred nose. His
sweep was one inch too short to hit Blanchard ; but it took
from him his vest and shirt; and the poor sinner hung to his
limb, not daring to move, about as scared a fellow as ever
bore the name of Blanchard. The others, seeing the predica
ment, gave up the idea of sport at the bear's expense, and
shot him, to Blanchard's infinite relief. He, while there,
made a vow never to go into a tree again with a bear ; and
that vow has been religiously kept.
Talking of Blanchard, we will tell one more story, of which
he is one of the heroes and the narrator.
He was master of ceremonies at a pioneer wedding. The
event came off in a log house with but one room ; and the
officiating officer was a newly elected Justice of the Peace, who
had never seen any one married. Being a justice, he knew it
was his business to swear people, but he was saddly puzzled
as to what kind of an oath to administer here. AH were
ready, the couple had come down the ladder; were duly
paraded by Blanchard, and the justice placed before them. He
(the justice) stood hesitating; Blanchard nudged him, and
told him to proceed. He still stood as though petrified; B.
nudged him again, and told him to go ahead. The justice in
a loud voice said:
"Mr. Jeremiah Hunt, hold up your hand. Do. you swear
by God Almighty that you take this woman for your wife?"
Answer. — " Yes."

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. ¦ 71
" Miss Ann Trip, do you swear by God Almighty that you
take this man for your husband?"
Answer. — " Yes."
" Then I swear by God Almighty that you are man and
wife; and God Almighty's curse on the one that shall separate
you! Amen."
The historian has not told who that justice was. But he
was neither the first nor the last justice who was daunted out
of his wits, the first time he was called upon to tie the knot
hymenial. The " humble speaker" knows that by his own woful
experience. (See Harper's Magazine, 1863; Editor's Drawer.)
One story more, and we will dismiss the irrepressible
Blanchard for the present. He and another fellow were
students with Roof. (We say " the other fellow," for fear Mr.
 will be offended.) Mr. R. sent them to manage a
justice suit in another township. They started, and on their
way were full of their first cause. It was arranged between
them that Blanchard should examine the witnesses, and the
other should do the pleading. The suit was tried in a log house,
which was raised some feet from the ground; an open door on
each side. Young Blackstone got up to plead the cause, stand
ing with his back toward the door. He commenced " May it
please the Court, Sir! " And there stuck; spitting two or three
times, he said again: "May it please the Court, Sir!" step
ping back a step or two at the same time; but there he stuck
again. Growing desperate, he a third time exploded: "May
it please the Court, Sir!!" And stepping back again, fell
out of the door, turning a summersault as he went. Crawling
on his hands and knees, he stuck his head in the back door,
and said: " Go to hell with your old court! "
History moves slow when Blanchard is around. With him
on the brain, we got off the track, and were guilty of at least
one anachronism; in our recollections of the report in the
" Olympic Chronicle," A. F. Bell was not, as an historical fact,
the one who figured on that occasion, for he was not there, as
will be seen by what follows. But as it is just like him, and
the story is written, it shall stand. We hate to back down.
Fowler, in his chart of our head said, " self-esteem, very large;

o

72 MEMORIALS OF THE
firmness, inordinate." Therefore we have a character to sus
tain, as well as the reputation of the phrenologist. We will
leave Lyons to itself until 1836. Some more settlers had, in
the meantime, pitched their tents, and there was beginning to
be the appearance of civilization. 1836 was the year of a
general irruption of settlers and speculators into Ionia county.
The location of the Land Office at Ionia, and the widely circu
lated report of the character of the lands caused a rush, which
was almost inconceivable. This is spoken of in connection
with Ionia. Among those who, won by the fame of the new
Elysium, came on and pitched at Lyons, were Adam L. Roof,
a young lawyer, and A. F. Bell. They, with indefinite pur
pose, found themselves in Michigan, at Jackson. Jackson was
then a shanty town, with little to invite their stay. Here they
got news that the Land Office was going to be removed to
Ionia, and they made up their minds to go there. They had
a boat built at Jackson, and put out down the river. About
ten miles down they found a jam of logs, which they got
around with the aid of some passing Indians. They camped
in Eaton county, and in the night were much disturbed by
some mosquitoes, who came to "interview" them, and by the
serenaders that were out, probably to do them honor. But
they — two inexperienced yroung lawyers — supposed the serena
ders were hungry, and wanted them for supper. Just so the
kindest intentions are often misinterpreted. It may here be re
marked that they recognized the voice of a panther among the
serenaders. Of those panthers, more anon. A screech-owl
joined his unmelodious voice in the general chorus of welcome.
That bird is singularly unfortunate, few admiring his music.
At times dragging their boat, and again floating in it,
camping on the bank at night, the fourth night found them at
Stone Ledge. On the 5th day they had their supreme terror..
They were boarded by a frightful "big Indian," who called out
" Quash-a-gum ! " Ball, who was saying his prayers at the
time, for fear had disposed his heart to prayer, pointed to his
gun; but the Indian pointed to the provision box, and made
signs that he was hungry. Without waiting to say "Amen, "
Bell gave the Indian some food, and he left. This Indian was

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 73
Squa-gun, less frightful in character than in looks. He was
far from being an Adonis; more have mistaken him for Apol-
lyon. When he left, the pallid fear and the voice of prayer
were changed to mirth, and jokes at each other's expense.
Bell complimented Roof on the alabaster whiteness of his
countenance, as becoming a youthful Appollo, and Roof, (the
sinner), said if he had Bell's pathos in prayer, he would
abandon the bar, and be a preacher. They shot a deer, and
secured the hams, as their larder was low, and went on to a hut,
occupied by a French trader, named Faro ; took a trail across
the bend of the river to Portland, leaving the canoe and bag
gage with Faro, to be sent around by an Indian. At Portland
they found white men, and sung " Te Deum Landamus." There
they attended a wedding — that of Joshua Boy7er and Susan
Moore. Arrived at Lyons, and pleased with the appearance of
things, they concluded to stay. About the time they arrived
the Indians had their " Green Corn Dance " and " Painted
Pole Dance," at which time they visited the graves, and made
their offerings to appease the Great Spirit.
Lyons, or as it was called by the Indians, Cocoosh, was a
prairie — an Indian clearing of 1,100 acres, named after a
noted chief. Cocoosh was a negro, who, as a boy of twelve
years, was in the war of 1812, taken by the Indians. When
he grew up they made him a chief. He was buried on the
left bank of the river, in front of the Sons of Temperance
Hall. A picket fence, painted red, was around his grave.
Roof and Bell, finding no law wanted, shantied on the hill,
where Roof now resides, kept bachelor's hall, and turned their
attention to surveying — especially7 to the laying out of cities.
They, in company with Findley, laid out the city of Lyons, in
1837: platted about 1,000 acres. Taking Fred Hall as ax-
man, they platted eight cities in the wilderness. People had
found out where cities ought to be ; but of all of them, Lyons
is the only one that ever rose to be a village. First, they laid
out New Burlington, in Clinton county, now a farm; second,
Clinton Salt Works, now a farm ; third, Gratiot Salt Works, at
the bend of Maple River (now a good farm). Then Clinton
Centre, south of St. Johns (no village there). The fate of

74 MEMORIALS OF THE
the others was the same. The places refused to be anything
more than a map. Lots were sold at the East in these prom
ising embryo cities; and rueful were the looks Of those who
came on to improve their purchases. There were a good
many green ones in those times — the progenitors of those now
living. They would select from maps, lots in " College
Square" or '"Arcade Street;" pay their money; take their
deeds, and come on to see and improve their lots. " College
Square" was a swamp, miles from a house; and "Arcade
Street " was a gully, with its muddy brook. Didn't they
swear! But who pitied the fools? Then it was that "Yankee
cuteness " was developing itself into " Michigan cussedness,"
and rapid was the development thereof. Then it was that
" wildcat " money furnished the wind to blow up many a bub
ble. How beautiful those bubbles were! But they7 were but
bubbles, and burst, of course. Nothing was thought of but
land and lots. All were going to be rich. But when the
" Specie Circular " brought all up with a jerk, happy was he
who had an old horse and harness, or something called prop
erty. The money afloat was useless, except to light a pipe.
The owners of lots would let them be sold for a six cents' tax.
Many were in the condition of the Irishman, who, passing a
pasture where a big bull was feeding, conceived the idea of
taking him by the horns and rubbing his nose in the dirt.
Full of the idea, he rolled on the ground, convulsed with
the wildest laughter. Springing over the fence he seized the
horns of the bull. When all was over, he said, " It was well
I had my laugh before I got over the fence."
One word, on dismissing these surveyors, Roof, Bell and
Hall. The two first, after winning position at the bar, sunk
into the Legislature, and the last we hear of the third, he was
mayor of Ionia. " Youthful hopes, and youthful promise,
Here see what they end in."
The specie circular, in 1837, found Lucius Lyon improving
the place. He was carrying out his schemes' of building a
hotel, a dam, a bridge, etc. Gentle reader, have you ever, when

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 75
riding at full speed on a spirited horse, had him come square
against a stump ? Could you keep in the saddle, or did you find
yourself in the air, and then, bruised, bleeding, and devoid of
any feeling of manly dignity, crawling out of a mud-hole?"
Lucius Lyon was, by the pressure of the times, obliged to aban
don his wisely conceived schemes, and Lyons languished.
The splendid water-power at Lyons was developed by degrees,
until it is one of the best in the State, and one which will make
Lyons a manufacturing town. Lucius Lyon began its devel
opment. In 1856, Daniel Ball, having secured some interests
in Lyons, proposed to improve the water-power, provided the
citizens would take hold with him, and work for their own
interest. They came down to the tune of $8,000. The work
was undertaken, but came to a stand, when a number of the
citizens organized the "Lyons Water Power Company,"
bought out Ball's interest, completed the dam and race, so
that the water-power is a success.
The village was incorporated in 1857. A new charter was
secured in 1868. Its growth has been slow. Its visions of
greatness are things of the past, and the Lyonese are content
to be a village. They are proud of the unsurpassed loveliness
of the location, which attracts the eye of every passer-by. The
beauty of its scenery made it a competitor for the State
capital. In the earlier years it was the rival of Ionia, and bid fair to
distance that place. But Ionia got the county-seat and the
Land Office; and Lyons was slow in developing the natural
advantage she had in her water-power. Then the railroad
came along, going through Ionia, but leaving Lyons in the
background, and giving occasion for the starting of the vil
lages of Muir and Pewamo.
But we will not pity Lyons. When that big factory goes
up, she will snap her fingers at Muir, that now is sapping her
vit

MUIR.
Across the river from Lyons, whose location on the railroad
gave it a chance to rise, and whose existence is so much taken
from Lyons, is Muir. The following sketch, written by one

76 MEMORIALS OF THE
of her prominent citizens — A. Byron Robinson, Esq. — will
give its history and its status in 1868. Succeeding events have
not necessitated any addition. This is copied from a business
directory of Muir, and has been approved as correct.
The first settlers of the place were Dr. W. Z. Blanchard, and
his son John C. Blanchard, who improved a farm there. It
was simply a farm until 1855. The village was incorporated
in 1871. For the rest, let Robinson speak of Muir:
SKETCH OF MUIR, IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
" Muir is situated on the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad, 117
miles west from Detroit, at the junction of the Maple and
Grand Rivers, and is the great lumber market for the vast pine
regions of Fish Creek, a tributary of Maple River. The vil
lage of Muir was first conceived, and some slight effort made
to develop a town in the year 1854, by the firm of Soule, Rob
inson & Co., which then consisted of the late Ambrose L.
Soule, A. Byron Robinson and the Rev. Isaac Errett, who at
that time erected a large mill for the manufacture of pine
lumber, now known as the Begole Mill. The town was not
surveyed and platted until the summer of IS 57, when the late
Richard L. Robinson and Benjamin Soule came into the firm,
and with renewed zeal and energy, the effort was then made to
establish and develop a town at this point. The village was
accordingly surveyed and platted that spring, and at once be
gan to assume proportions and rank among the towns of Ionia
county. The village for a number of years, however, labored under
very great disadvantages. The original founder, Ambrose L.
Soule, a man of very great sagacity, business energy and
zeal, having been removed by death, in June, 1857, the whole
enterprise seemed to have received a stroke that would prove
fatal to the first conceived plan of operations, both in regard
to the town and the manufacture of lumber. But the impor
tance of the interests of this point, and the general advantages
of the location, soon began to be felt, and from that time up to
the present, the place has had a steady, healthy growth, which
now brings it in direct competition with its more pretentious

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 77
rivals. The village numbers about 1,000 inhabitants, nearly
or quite one hundred buildings having been erected within the
last year, with the prospects of a very large increase the coming
year. The lumbering interest is the absorbing interest of the
town, there being now four large mills for the manufacture of
lumber, with a capacity of 20,000,000 feet per season, .and a
prospect of more mills, soon to be erected, as the result of the
contemplated railroad from Marshall to Greenville, which has
been surveyed through this place, with every prospect of its
speedy7 construction, the route having been found very favor
able, and the citizens on the line having every assurance that
by7 reasonable effort on their part, the whole road would at once
be placed under contract.
The village has four large dry goods stores, four grocery7
stores, two clothing, two crockery, one book, one hardware,
two drug, and three shoe stores. Also, one large shingle
manufactory, one large bakery, two livery stables, three black
smith shops, a large flouring mill with a capacity of one hun
dred barrels per day, an extensive wagon manufactory, with
the full requisite number of eating saloons, restaurants,
etc., etc.
The town has not been deficient in point of religious cul
ture, their being a very large 'congregation of Disciples, with
a splendid house for worship; also, a congregation of Presby
terians and Methodists. The Presbyterians are now erecting
a very fine house for worship. The village is not incorpora
ted, but a very general feeling of harmony prevails, which,
having been faithfully fostered and tcared for, has given us
many of the advantages of a corporation, without the extra
taxation. We have a very fine public fountain in the square:
also a very comfortable system of sidewalks in our streets.
Our educational interests are not what they might be, nor what
we hope they soon may be,, our facilities for accommodating
the large increase of • scholars, within the last six or eight
mouths, being entirely inadequate. We have two buildings
and have a fully and completely organized graded school; but
our buildings are not what they should be for the large num
ber of students in attendance. We hope soon, however, to be

78 MEMORIALS OF THE
second to no point in this important enterprise — the abundant
provision for the full and complete education of the youth of
this placa
Feeling that the importance of this point will compare favor
ably with any other of the many very desirable locations of
Northern Michigan, those seeking new homes in the West,
we feel confident cannot do better than make this a point for
observation. A. Byron Robinson."
July 9, 1868.
Westof Muir, on the bluff near the railroad, are the ruins of
an intrenchment, of which there is only a vague tradition. It
is a ditch encircling the brow of the hill on three sides, and is
nearly in the form of the letter C, the open side facing the
steep side of the hill, fronting the river. The length of the
ditch is over 600 feet, and encircles the sides of the hill near
the top.
Old Cocoosh said there was a great battle between the resi
dent Indians and a tribe who came from the Ohio River; that
the fight was on the plain, and that this intrenchment was for
defense. The position was well chosen, and could be easily
defended from an assault, but could stand no besieging, as it
had no water. It is a piece of Indian military engineering,
and is not bad — a kind of Bunker Hill affair. Give a man,
who has not learned how to surrender, a lot of men, who have
never been killed or whipped, and place them there, the
present writer would humbly beg to be excused from being
one of an attacking party, though perfectly willing, aided by
Gen. Thirst, to aid in its besieging.
This, tradition is surely plausible. The ditch was never
made for anything but defense from a temporary danger. It
was probably a place for the women and children while the
braves were, day by day, fighting the thing through; and as a
a place to retire to at night
The tradition is further, that the Southrons retired, having
got a bigger whipping than they came after.
PEWAMO.
There is in the town of Lyons another village, incorporated

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 79
in 1871, and called Pewamo; so named by John C. Blanchard
from an Ottawa chief, for whom he entertained a great respect.
The village was laid out by Blanchard (father and son), Hamp
ton Rich, Robert Highau, and others, who purchased the
property of Messrs. Mosher and Hunt. The platting of the
village wks coincident with the construction of the D. & M.
railroad. It is not expected to be a city; cities are played
out; but it is, and will be, a snug little 'village, a shipping
point, and place for local business. The public buildings are
three churches, three hotels ; and it has the usual complement of
stores, machinic shops, etc. ; it has a flouring mill, and some
other machinery.
The first school in the township of Lyons was kept by Miss
Susan Moore, in a small log shanty built by Lebhart. This
was in 1834; she had five scholars. She, now the widow of
Judge Boyer, in a green old age, is living at Grand Rapids,
and her children and grandchildren bless her name. God
bless the "school-marm," anyway, even when blessings are
scarce. One of them is worth a regiment, of fashionable ladies,
who live to be " supported ; " mere butterflies of fashion ; as
girls, a curse to father, always wanting money ; a dead weight
on husband (poor man); and when dead, a nothing, but a name
on marble.
There's many a fine lady who will turn up her nose at plain
Mrs. Boyer. But Mrs. B. has done good in the world; what
have they done? The "school-marm" lives in many loving
hearts, and in time becomes idealized as a kind of divinity.
Again we say, God bless the "school-marm!"
At the time Lebhart came to Lyons, there was no settlement
nearer than Jackson. True, the same year brought settlers to
other points on the river. All was wild. The wild men of
the forest had their principal rendezvous at Cocoosh. The
Chiefs Cocoosh, Makatoket, Pewamo, Osaugee, Mukatebanee
and Okemose, centered there. For six months these were the
only associates of Lebhart and his wife. He lived to see
things changed, and died respected and lamented, March, 1874.
Lebhart's name is attached to a creek in the town where he
put up the first mill. Let no sacrilegious innovator ever
change the name.

80 MEMORIALS OF THE
PORTLAND.
Portland is situated at the junction of the Grand and Look
ing Glass Rivers. It is one of the centers, from which civili
zation radiated in the Grand River Valley; its occupation
being among the earliest.
It needed but simple common sense on the part of the early
explorers, to determine the fact, that at the mouth of the
Looking Glass River a town of more than common size would
grow up. That common sense would show them that the
whole force of both rivers was easily controllable; and that, in
Michigan, where there is a great water-power, a town is inev
itable. Some towns locate themselves; others, like Ionia, are
located by man. Nature decided the fact that Portland must
be a place of importance; man only discovered what nature
had decreed.
Portland is not so much a thing of the present, as an idea ;
a reality7 of the future. Neither a prophet, nor the son of a
prophet, but the grandson of a deacon, the writer predicts that
Portland will be the manufacturing town of the Grand River.
Tliere the whole force of the two rivers can be readily con
trolled, so as to use the waters of the Grand River three times,
and of the Looking Glass, twice. Railroads have given the
place communication with the world, and the water is clamor
ing — " Put in the wheels."
Michigan manufactu res are now mostly in tvood. Cotton and
vjooI will, bye and bye, not all be worked up in the Eastern
States. When the time comes that the noise of the spindle
and loom shall enliven Michigan, Portland will be one of the
manufacturing towns.
But don't, when you read these prophetic utterances, get your
ideas too high, and refuse to sell water-power unless for mil
lions, and don't imagine that each village lot is a mine of gold.
There is land enough for a city as large as London, lying
all sprawled about in the vicinity, and the " good time coming"
is far in the future; your venerable head may lie low, and an
epitaph be over it, before the vision shall be reality. There
fore, be content for a time to be a village, and to do a vil
lage business. Your children may walk the streets of the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 81
city of Portland, provided there is the spirit to encourage
the starting of some great manufacturing enterprise.
The same year that brought white settlers to other parts of
the Grand River Valley, determined some to settle at Port
land, although none immediately settled there. Homes were
selected, to be occupied at a future day.
The first location of land was in 1833, by Elisha Newman
— some two hundred acres— where the village of Portland now
is. He did not come on to occupy until 1836.
The first actual settler was an old man, Philo Bogue, who
came with his family in 1834. The same year were added
Joshua Boyer, John Milne (Mil'na), Abram Hunt, Thomas
Shepard, Ezra Ferrin, and Chancellor Barringer.
Bogue soon died — in 1836. Milne, an intelligent and re
spected farmer, also spent his life where he located. The rest
of the 1834-men moved away; Boyer to Grand Rapids, Shep
ard to England, Ferrin to California. Barringer, after opera
ting at various places, disappears from the scene. 1835 added
Josiah Young, Geo. Dntton, Wm. H. Arms, Thomas G.
Barnum, Lambert B. Barnum, and Thomas White.
1836 added John P. Miner, Wm. Dinsmore, David Brown,
John Knox, Ashur Kilbourne, Willard Brooks, Charles
Brooks, Almercn, James and Elisha Newman, and Samuel D.
Smith. In 1837, came S. A. Miner, Charles Taylor, Wm. R. Chur
chill (the first merchant), John Probart, Patrick Lawless, Abi-
jah R. Schoff and Wm. Dinsmore.
1838, Alvah T. Way, Alfred D. Isham, Samuel Green and
Geo. Marcy.
1839, F. C. Kenny and David S. Soles.
We carry the advent of settlers no further. In what has
been given, Portland has been considered a center, and no at
tempt has been made to set the individuals to their towns, as
the towns now are. Some of these persons are in Orange, and
some in Danby. ORGANIZATION.
What is now Portland, Danby, and the East half of Or-
6

82 MEMORIALS OF THE
ange and Sebewa, was set off from Maple, and constituted a
town, in 183S. The first town meeting was at the house of
Joshua Boyer, April 2d. Elected:
Ira Webster, Supervisor; Almeron Newman, Clerk; Samuel
Northam, Almeron Newman, Justices.
The records further show the names of —
Abijah F. Schoff, William D. Moore, Phineas Coe, Fosdik
II. Kilbourne, Chancellor Barringer, A. S. Wadsworth, Henry
Smith, Charles Gott, William R. Churchill, Samuel Sutliff,
.James Newman, Samuel Freeman, John Milne, Robert Toan-
Portland Village was incorporated in 1869. The first char
ter election was held at Schofield Hall, May 3d. Elected:
Robert B. Smith, President; James M. Webster, Treasurer;
George Hill, Assessor; William W. Bogue, Almeron Newman,
Henry Bartow, Lorenzo K. Showman, William Dinsmore,
Milton Sawyer, Trustees.
It is hardly necessary to say that, as Portland was a pioneer
settlement, they had the same privations, inconveniences and
hardships, that were so deeply felt at the other places — Lyons,
Ionia, Grand Rapids, Grandville and Grand Haven.
Provisions were scarce, and purchased at almost fabulous
prices, and at times almost unattainable. In some instances
there was absolute starvation.
The first settlers were intelligent psople, and they had the
disposition to share each other's burdens. They were kindly
aided by the Indians, whom they soon learned to look upon as
friends. The fraternal feeling, that was the result of mutual
dependence, continues still. Now, when the dark days are
over, the old. pioneers, when they get together, have many a
kind word to speak of " days lang syne." Yet these were the
"dear old times." Not because of privation and trials; but
from the fact, that then soul met soul, and hearts and hands
were open. What says Solomon about a dinner of herbs?
With him that was hearsay, and it seemed to him highly poetic,
The pioneers in the wilderness realize the whole of that. Ha!
the old sinners feel it now in their very bones, when they meet
one with whom they " roughed it " in the wilderness.
The development of Portland, further than makino- clear-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 83
ings in the woods, properly begun with the coming of the
Newmans. The old gentleman brought the dimes; and the
young men the enterprise to set those dimes to work. With
some $6,000 capital at their command, they set to work build
ing a mill. They dammed the Looking Glass; dug a race
some 60 rods long; erected a saw-mill — one of the old style
of sash mills, capable of cutting 3,000 feet in 24 hours; put
iiva run of stones; and fixed things by December, so that the
settlers were not obliged to go to Pontiac to mill. What
music to them was in the grating of those stones. Solomon's
concert at the dedication of the temple was nothing in com
parison with.it, Men, women and children- danced with delight,
when they assembled to see the -first grist ground; and Big
Injun said, "Uh!" \
Soon after the Newmans, Abram S. Wadsworth commenced
making improvements at Portland. In 1838, he bought out
Shepard, and divided his land into village lots, and began de
veloping the water-power. He built a dam across the Grand
River, dug a race and built a saw-mill. The dam went off
with the ice the first spring. He cobbled up his dam, and'
built his mills, but never did anything with them. Wads
worth was a man of enterprise, but lacked business sagacity.
He never brought his works to completion. He also did big
things at Grand Rapids,' Lyons and Grandville. But the re
sult was, he spent a fortune of $60,000 or more, and died a
poor man.
He, discouraged, dismantled his mills at Portland, and sold
the runnino'-o'ear to Newman. When Newman had set his
carding-machine agoing, Wadsworth looked on ; and as he saw
it making rolls, he said: " That is the first thing that succeeded
in Portland." Newman was a clothier, and his works were the
first of the kind west of Pontiac.
In 1837, Miss Jenny Berry opened the first school of 12 or
15 scholars, in a shanty where James street now is. She -is
now the wife of William F. Jennison, of Eagle, Clinton
county. Miss Knox, now Mrs. Adam L. Roof, of Lyons, taught the
first district school in a log school-house on the hill above the
railroad depot.

84 MEMORIALS OF THE
The first religious meetings were conducted by A. S. Wads
worth, in Episcopal style.
The Methodists were the first preachers. The first sermon
was preached by Monette, a missionary from the Ohio Confer
ence, in 1834; the service held in a log house on the west side
of the river, within a few rods of where the depot now is.
As Portland is one of the first places where Methodism got
a foothold, and its influence somewhat central, we shall, in con
nection with the history of that church in this place, speak of
it in its relation to other parts of the Grand River Valley. In
doing this, we gladly avail ourselves of the well-done labors of
W. H. Stone, Esq., of Portland, a man whose interest in a
cause which is dear to him, has led him, as a labor of love, to
trace the history of that church in the Portland vicinity.
What follows is his, and mainly in his language; and to him
we would thankfully express our obligations:
At the time Monette came, there were but few families at
or near Portland. The field of labor assigned him was from
Shiawassee, on the east, to Grand Haven, inclusive. He trav
ersed over this immense territory for a time on horseback. But
the country was thinly settled, the people were poor, and it
soon became evident that the expense of keeping a horse could
hardly be met. Endowed with the true missionary spirit, he
adapted himself to circumstances, and, after disposing of his
horse, commenced his long, weary marches on foot, enduring
the privations incident to such a life. As if to try his other
wise overtaxed energies, he was looked upon by some with
suspicion, and regarded as a worthless man, palming himself
off upon the public as a preacher, for the sake of gaining a
livelihood. His health failing, he was compelled to leave his
work before the close of the first year. He was succeeded by
Mr. Searing. The less said about Sebring, the better. It is a
tradition of Portland that, somehow or other, Sebring disgraced
himself and the cause he represented; and some of the older
people of Grand Rapids have a faint recollection of riding a
Methodist minister out of town on a skeleton of a horse, with
a bundle of straw, dressed in woman's clothes, behind him.
But no one remembers the name of the said minister. They

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 85
only remember, in addition, that on leaving, he thanked them
for the lenient way they dealt with him, for he expected, and
knew he deserved, a coat of tar and feathers, and a rail instead
of a horse to ride on. Mr. Stone is here responsible only for
saying that Sebring brought disgrace; the rest is from other
sources. In 1836, Michigan Conference was formed with three dis
tricts in Michigan and four in Ohio. In 1840, the Ohio dis
tricts were withdrawn, and the bounds of Michigan Confer
ence restricted to the State. The new Conference of 1836
sent Elder Mitchell to this field, which was known at that
time as the Grand River Circuit. He was a young man of
promise, and was well received; but, like his predecessor,
remained only a short time. He was succeeded in 1838 by
two ministers — Larman Chatfield and  Blowers. By mu
tual agreement the work was divided between the two men —
Chatfield taking the northern part, and making his home at
Lyons, and Blowers the southern, including Portland. Up
to this time, preaching was had at very irregular intervals,
and no class had ever been formed. During the year a class
was formed by Elder Blowers, consisting of Herman Hull, his
mother, Mary Hull; Mrs. Stanton, the mother of Robert Dut-
ton ; Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Sally Knox — the latter not a Metho
dist; four members in full standing, and one honorary — a
Congregationalist. Mr. Hull was appointed class-leader.
About this time a log school-house was built on the west
side of the Grand River. A school was opened, and the house
used as a place of regular worshiji; services previously having
been held at the house of Mr. Bogue.
This little beginning must have seemed to the settlers like
the dawning of better days, shut in as they had been from the
outer world, and deprived of the religious and educational
privileges which contribute so largely to the sum and substance
of earthly happiness. They endured many privations, of which
we doubtless have but a faint conception. The luxuries of life
were not theirs to enjoy. To the few Christian souls, " beauti
ful were the feet of those who heralded the Gospel of peace."
They7 did not, like the poor sinner who pens these lines,

86 MEMORIALS OF THE
criticise the elocution of the man who stood before them as
God's messenger, but with thirsty souls they drank in the
word, and; thought of it, yea profited by it. (Stone is not re
sponsible for the last lines).
In 1839, Grand River Circuit was changed to "Lyons-
Mission," and here commences the first official record of Meth
odism in Portland; the previous history being almost purely-
traditional. The work was supplied by Elder Chatfield, and
included De Witt, Lyons, Ionia, and Portland as principal
points. They were visited in turn by their pastor, and con
tributed their mite towards his support. During the first
year each of these places was favored with one quarterly
meeting; the first one in Portland being held the 28th and
39th of March, 1840. These places were then in what was
known as the "Grand River District," which embraced a large
extent, including Flint, Saginaw, Lapeer, and all this section
of the State westward to Grand Haven. The Presiding Elder,
Elijah H. Pilcher, traveled over this immense field of labor on
horseback, much of the way through dense forests, guided only
by marked trees or Indian trail's. He was succeeded in 1843
by Elder Chatfield, who traveled nearly the same territory for
the four succeeding vears. These men were often gone from
their homes several weeks at a time, and must have sacrificed
almost entirely the comforts of home life.
In 1839, Chatfield was succeeded by7 Z. C. Brown and Levi
Warner, and these in turn by Allen Staples and Samuel Lap-
ham, in 1840. In the fall of 1841 the work was supplied by
William E. Bigelow and L. Chatfield, who, the following sea
son organized two Sabbath schools, the first on the circuit.
The following year, "Lyons Mission" was changed to "Ly
ons Circuit." The log school-house at Portland was burned,
aiid a more pretentious building erected near the present site
of the north building. This was used as a place of worship
for many years, not only by the Methodists, but other denomi
nations. Thus, we have briefly sketched the first of four decades, into
which Methodism in Portland, and the region, may be divided.
Struggling into existence under the most adverse circum-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 87
stances, its rise and progress can hardly fail to elicit attention
and interest the minds of all. We, in different times, can but
feebly appreciate the trials of these Gospel pioneers.
Thus far we have pretty closely followed Mr. Stone, who has
done a good work, and put the denomination under obligation.
As his article has special reference to the church at Portland,
and was written for their special benefit, we cannot more than
condense what follows. But we do wish each church had as
good a historian.
Allowances made to ministers:
Quarterage  $200 00
Table expenses  85 00
House rent  30 00
Horse feed  20 00
Traveling expenses  5 00
Total  $340 00
Making in all $680 for the support of two ministers and their
families. In 1852 a parsonage was erected at Portland — the first prop
erty owned by the denomination there.
In the fall of 1854, " Grand River District " was reorgan
ized under the name of " Grand Rapids District; " Eld. Pen-
field, P. E. " Ly7ons Circuit " was changed to " Portland Cir
cuit." From the second decade, Methodism did not flourish;
but the membership had decreased. In 1860, the Portland
Society purchased an old school-house and fitted it up as a
chapel, which they used until 1866, at which time, increased
membership and increased means had enabled them to build
and dedicate their present house of worship, which cost $7,-
500. Present membership, 250.
We have been more particular in speaking of the Metho
dist church than we can afford to be of the other churches, as
one of their members had given the means of tracing the early-
history of the denomination in the region. Of this we availed-
ourselves, saying much that was not particularly pertinent to
the individual church at Portland.

88 MEMORIALS OF THE
The Congregational Church was organized by the Rev.
L. M. S. Smith, in 1842. In 1853, they built their church
edifice. The Presbyterian Church dates from 1867. The Rev.
Augustus Marsh has been pastor since its organization.
The Baptist Church was organized in 1840, with eleven
members. The Rev. Moses Clark was the first pastor. The
membership has increased to 140. The Rev. A. Cornell is
in charge of it.
The Universalist Church was started in 1852, with ten
members, under the pastoral care of Rev. C. W. Knicker
bocker. The church was dedicated in 1855.
October 24th, 1867, J. H. Wickwire started the Portland
Advertiser, which in 1 870, was enlarged under the name
of -Portland Observer, Joseph Bailey, editor.
The village of Portland has made a fair beginning. It has
already partially developed its fine water-power, and employed
it in manufactures. Besides its saw and grist mills, it has a
woolen factory, iron works, sash and blind factory, school fur
niture factory, stone works, etc. It is something of a trading
center. Several lawyers tliere attend to people's social ailments,
and several physicians to those of their physical frames. They
cherish their graded school; and they, respecting their present
condition, have faith in their future. And the meek historian
must say, " So have I." BERLIN.
Berlin was first organized as Cass, in 1838— a temporary-
arrangement. For a particular statement of its limits, see
"Legislative History of the County."
The first meeting for the organization of Cass was held at
the house of Wm. Babcock, April 2d, 1838.
Officers elected: Alonzo Sessions, Supervisor; John E. Mor
rison, Clerk; Philo Bates, John E. Morrison, Wm. B. Lincoln,
Alonzo Sessions, Justices.
The number of votes was 33.
The town of Cass existed four years, when, reduced to its
present dimensions, the name was changed to Berlin; and the

/ /

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 89
first election under the new arrangement was held at the house
of Wm. Eddy, April 4th, 1842. The whole number of votes
was 53.
John E. Morrison, Supervisor; Geo. C. Overheiser, Clerk;
Geo. Townsend, Herman Babcock, Justices.
In what follows we are mainly indebted to the Hon. Alonzo
Sessions, both for material and language. He furnished co
pious notes on the town, kindly giving the privilege of making
such use of them as we chose. In general, his language is
adopted. In October, 1833, Alonzo Sessions spent several days within
the present limits of Berlin. Then the marks of the surveyor
were the only indication it had ever been seen by civilized
man. In November of that year, John E. Morrison came from
Oakland county, and erected his log cabin in the northeast
corner of the town, opposite to, and witliin half a mile of the
present limits of Ionia City. In his cabin he put his wife
and child, and with his axe he went to work, and made him
self a good home.
After the county was organized, he was the first county
treasurer. He was a practical surveyor ; was the first clerk of
Cass; was several times supervisor, clerk, justice of the peace,
etc. Mr. M. is still living just across the iine in Ionia. He
has seen something of the world besides, having spent one
winter in Texas, a year or more in California, taking the haz
ards of the overland route. Two years or more with his
family in Tennessee, after the war was over, convinced him
there is no place like home; and he returned to live and die
near where his friends are, and where his valuable life-work
has been done.
In October, 1833, Alonzo and Job S. Sessions came from
New York to Detroit, then by way of Macomb, Oakland, Liv
ingston, Shiawassee and Clinton, on foot to Ionia. West of
the Huron River the country was an unbroken wilderness —
the only road an Indian trail. Before leaving the border set
tlements, they procured a supply of raw pork and bread, upon
which they subsisted, while they lodged upon the ground, with
no shelter but the trees.

90 MEMORIALS OF THE
At that time there were three log cabins in Ionia partially-
completed and inhabited. That farthest west was occupied by
Judge Yeomans, with whom they got lodgings while pros
pecting for land. After deciding to locate in Berlin, they
floated down Grand River in a batteau (which the judge had
laboriously managed to get as far up as Ionia, loaded with
provisions for the new settlers, and desired to have delivered
to the owner at Grand Rapids), stopping over night with
Rix Robinson, at the trading post below the Thornapple, and
reaching the Rapids in season for dinner, the next day. The
remainder of the distance to the Land Office at White Pigeon
was made on foot. The camp the first night was at Ball's
Prairie, in Barry county.
As without tools, teams, seed and provisions, they could do
nothing towards developing the land they had secured, and as
their money was gone for land and in expenses, they went to
work to earn money with which to make a beginning. Alonzo
went to Ohio and taught school, while Job remained in Michi
gan, working on a farm. As wages were low, nearly two years
passed by before they were in condition to return. It was in
June, 1835, that they commenced to make for themselves homes
in Berlin.
Alonzo Sessions left Dayton, Ohio, on the 25th of Mav.
There are some incidents connected with the journey, that may
interest those only used to modern facilities for travel. He
purchased two horses, on one of which he packed his two
trunks; on the other he rode; changing from the one to the
other to equalize their labor. Traveling northward, along the
Miami river, and frequently fording it, he soon entered a dense
and nearly unbroken wilderness, where there was only here
and there a settler. In places'there were no roads, and scarcely
a trail. It was raining daily, and every river, creek and bayou
was full and overflowing. Many of the latter were more diffi
cult to cross than the rivers, being more swollen and muddv.
In places, canoes were found at the crossings; but more fre
quently he crossed on the back of one horse while leading the
other. In this way he made his way to Defiance, several times
swimming the rivers. At Defiance his troubles and dancers

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 91
were not ended. The only way7 to get into Michigan then, was
to go down the river from Defiance by way of Perrysburg;
and there were swollen creeks, without bridges, in abundance.
From Perrysburg he rode to Ypsilanti, where he met his
brother, left his trunks, and both started for Berlin on horse
back. At Marshall, they turned north, slept at Bellevue; and
rode through a dense, unbroken forest, where there was neither
road nOr trail, yet swamps in abundance. Their weary7 journey
ended by arriving at Ionia on the 11th of June.
They immediately went to work on their land; planted some,
hired team and tools, put about ten acres of land in condition,
and sowed wheat upon it early in September.
In November, Alonzo Sessions built the second log cabin in
Berlin, and in 1837 he built the first frame barn. He has been
much in public life, for which, see the article that accompanies
his portrait.
Job Sessions came to Berlin with his brother in 1835. He
brought, no money with him, or other means, but he had
industry, strength and courage. He cleared and improved two
good farms, and after putting them in good condition to live
on, sold out and went to Spring Lake. He Was several years
treasurer of Berlin. He did his full share in opening and
making roads and bridges ; and in all the privations, labors,
struggles, disappointments and progress of pioneer life man
fully performed his part, and bore his full share.
Amasa Sessions came to Berlin in 1836, and made a begin-
nino- in the dense forest, on sections 3 and 4, about one mile
south of the river. He had very little to begin with, except
his hands and a stout heart, a strong will and unyielding pur
pose. He made one of the best farms in the county; put
everything in order, knew how to keep them so, and accumu
lated money. He was several times supervisor, justice, etc.,
discharging every duty honestly and faithfully; and has, as
he deserves, the respect and confidence of every one that
knows him.
William Reed came in about the same time, and built a
cabin on section 3. He had a small family, and but little else.
He was a man of more than common force and energy. What

92 MEMORIALS OF THE
he undertook he accomplished. He made two good farms in
Berlin, with valuable buildings complete; and was still at
work with unabated energy and courage, when he unfortu
nately met a sudden death by the hand of a temporary tenant
on his farm. His oldest son, William, has made a good farm
near his father's, and is one of the most valuable, thriving and
wide-awake men in town.
William Babcock came to Berlin in 1836, from Ontario
county, New York. Being past middle age, he had accumu
lated property in New York. For particulars of Mr. B., see
biographical notice accompanying his portrait. Mrs. Babcock
was a model wife and mother, and she had only to live to make
all dependent on her prosperous and happy. Too soon she
went to her grave, and the Deacon never married again; he
soon left his farm, became his own executor, and died in 1871
at Ionia, aged 88. His three youngest sons are still living
in Berlin — all men of more than ordinary intelligence, who
have earned and secured the respect and confidence of all who
know them.
In the spring of 1836, Elisha Doty came to Berlin to live.
He built a small frame house — the first in the town. About
the same time his three sons — Charles, William and Allen —
came in. William is the only one of the four now living.
Eleazur Murray came about the same time, and is still resi
dent in the township. He brought very little with him except
a young family, mostly girls. But he had industry, energy
and courage. He has made a good home for himself and fam
ily, and has been one of the most useful citizens.
George H. Coe came into Berlin in 1839, and built a cabin
on Sec. 3, where he still resides. He came poor, but has made
a good farm ; has children grown up as useful citizens. He
has secured for himself the confidence and respect of all who
know him, and still has the prospect of many useful years
ahead. David Woodruff came at about the same time, and from the
same place, as Mr. Coe. He was absent a few years, as a pio
neer in Montcalm county, but returned, and has been one of
the most useful and valuable citizens.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 93
A little later came Solomon Tanner, who was a natural pio
neer. Born in the woods, he had made his mark in New York
and in Eastern Michigan before he came to Berlin. He knew
how to use an axe, a handspike, oxen, etc. ; and he has left a
very plain mark in Berlin. He did too much logging alone;
and just when he had got a good farm, good buildings, and
everything comfortable around him, he became sick, sent for
a doctor, (of what school, Mr. S.?) and had to leave. He was
a quiet, peaceable, unassuming, yet energetic, thorough man;
attending to his own business faithfully, and performing every
duty with fidelity and promptness. Pie had the confidence of
all who knew him.
Nelson Beckwith came in 1837, and settled on the north
part of section 7. He was poor, and with his young wife went
into his log-cabin before it was completed. He was handy
with tools ; had more than usual perseverance and industry, and
made himself a good, comfortable home. He built a good house,
and was in circumstances to enjoy what he had earned; with
liis children around him, and with good prospects for the future.
But in the night, when all were in bed, his house took fire.
In his efforts to save his children from the flames, he perished
with the child that he gave his life to save. His widow and
surviving children are still in Berlin.
Robert F. Llall came about the same time, put up a frame
shanty, and made some improvement on section 6. He had
no family, but lived alone and made what headway he could,
until one fatal day, in an attempt to cross Grand River — it is
not known precisely how or when — he was drowned. His
body7 was found some time after, floating in the stream. He
was put down deep in the soil, and all his hopes, plans and
expectations were buried with him.
Abraham Eddy came in 1837. He was a middle-aged man,
poor, with a large family, some of them grown, and none very
young. Lie commenced on 40 acres at the southwest corner
of section 2, which he cleared, and to which he added more
land, good buildings, and all needed improvements. He made
money; settled his children around and near him; lived to see
them prosperous, and died quietly, in March,- 1875, at the age
of88.

94 MEMORIALS OF THE
John W. Young settled on section 2 at about the same time;
made many improvements, but was compelled by ill-health to
give up farming. He now lives in Ionia.
Lyman Simmons, at about the same time, settled on a lot of
timbered land on section 11. Very few of our early settlers
have had more to contend with, or more to discourage them
than Mr. Simmons. But his industry, energy and courage
have been equal to every emergency; and very few men in
Michigan, or in any other new country, can show better re
sults for the time and labor expended, than he can. His farm,
his buildings, his orchards, and finally, everything about him
are models of comfort, neatness and thrift.
One ofthe most enterprising and valuable of the early set
tlers of Berlin was Dr. William B. Lincoln. He came to
Ionia (as noted elsewhere) in 1833 ; and peddled the first pills
that did execution in the county. Not finding enough to do
in Ionia, he bought a lot on Sec. 11, in Berlin. The Doctor
was industrious, and handy with tools, a true Yankee
in energy and thrift; and in the intervals of time, when his
professional services were not in demand, made and mended
boots and shoes; made doors and sash, or did any useful work
that came in his way; among other things, serving the public
as Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace. The Doctor got a
good farm well under way, when his father came on from Ver
mont and took his place, he returning to Ionia. He was a
good, kind, attentive and humane physician ; no obstacle could-
keep him from his duty to the sick, and hundreds are living
to appreciate and testify to his kind care and devotion in their
time of sickness and danger.
Some time about 1842, Joshua Clark and his son, Edward
O. Clark, came to Berlin and made a home on Sec. 33. They
came from New York at a very early day, had previously
lived some time in Marshall and Niles. Joshua was well
along in years, but was a man of extraordinary industry and
energy; had too much ambition for his strength; was a first-
rate mechanic, understood his trade, and was too honest to
slight his work. Though his constitution was weakened by
sickness, and he was seldom well, he accomplished wonders,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 95
and all that he did was done well. After clearing up a farm
in Berlin, they went to Orange, made a good farm there, sold
out and went to Saranac, where the old man died at the age of
78. Edward 0. lived mostly with his father, until his death,
and is now in business in Ionia. He married Olivia, daughter
of Deacon Babcock. Harriet, the second daughter, married
Joseph M. Babcock, in Berlin. Mrs. Clark was a model
woman, wife and mother. She died in Ionia in June, 1872,
aged 79 years.
I am about to speak of two of the early settlers in Berlin
that have displayed extraordinary energy and thrift under
circumstances of discouragement. Joseph Howard, a poor
Englishman, and much poorer cobbler, came in 1843, put up a
poor log shanty on land not his own, by mistake; yet near his
cabin he had the misfortune, as was thought, to own the poor
est 40 acres in town. He had a wife, and family of small
children, and nothing else. But she was a good woman and
a help, and they took hold together. The children were made
useful, and taught to do what they could. They worked hard,
lived cheap, earned and saved until the poor 40 acres was made
productive, 65 acres more added, and all brought into good
condition ; good buildings erected, money saved and loaned on
interest. Joseph lost his good wife, retired from business, and
his son William reigns in his stead, the worthy son of a wor
thy sire.
The other was Henry P. Gates, who came from the Hoosier
State in 1845, to escape the sickness which he and his family
were subject to the whole time they were there. He had a
wife and several small children, a pair of scallywag steers, and
a miserable old wagon, and that was all. He traded all, ex
cept his wife and children, for a fraction of a little over 50
acres on section 5, being part swamp, and the balance side-hill,
balancing the account with his note. He had Yankee blood
in him, and knew how to work fast and well. He was by-
nature industrious, faithful and honest; and with health came
energy and effort, and finally success. He has purchased 80
acres more land ; has made a good farm with good buildings,
and is living with his family in comfort and peace; and may
long live to enjoy the fruits of an active and useful life.

96 MEMORIALS OF TnE
Thus far we have closely followed Mr. Sessions. With him
the work was done con amore. The author is feelingly aware
that his work would be more valuable if every town had its
man, who could so appreciatingly " tell what he knew."
ADDITIONAL.
Among the earliest settlers in the town maybe placed, Philo
Bates ( just over the line, in Ionia), Benjamin D. Brand, Wm.
Reed, Nathan and William Pierce (1837), Nelson Beckwith
and Wm. Elvert. In the spring of 1838, Reuben W. Stevens
and Luke Howard. Mrs. Taylor (over the line, in Ionia) states
that they came from Washtenaw county, in the winter of
'37-8. They came in the winter because then they could cross
the streams on the ice. They brought a family of six children.
Their journey lasted six weeks ; and they thought they had a
good time. Their goods were brought through by ox teams.
It took about all they had to get through. They were soon
very happy in a log cabin; managed to get something to eat.
Mr. Taylor died in Feb. 1871, aged 79 years.
Let us listen to the yarn of that son of Erin in South Ber
lin, whose fine farm and good house show the result of his
enterprise; and whose frank cordiality invites confidence and
respect — Francis Humphreys.
He came to Berlin from Boston, Mass., in the spring of 1839;
having left Ireland fourteen years before. He came to Belle vue ;
and then the problem was how to get on to Berlin. There
was no road or track; the woods were dense, and no one there
would attempt the job of forwarding them. But he was en
couraged by being told that there was a man several miles
north of Vermontville, who might possibly be secured — Mr.
Peter Kinny. Humphreys left his wife, and went to seek
Kinny. On the way, at night, he was treed by wolves, who
tried to get at him. He fired at them with his pistols, and had
the satisfaction of hurting some of them. Early in the morn
ing, benumbed with cold, and hungry, he got down from his
perch, where he had passed a sleepless night; came on, and
found his man. Kinny was in bed, but got up, received him
kindly, and seeing that he was famished with cold and hunger,
told him to lie down on the bed and get a little sleep if possi-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 97
ble, while he got him some breakfast* An arrangement was
made with Kinny, whom he soon took a liking to, to go back
to Bellevue, get his family and goods (about 16 cwt.), and go
through to Berlin for $40. Kinny, with two yoke of oxen,
went back for the load.; and got to Vermontville in five days.
Nothing serious occurred so far; bnt here commenced the tug
of war. The hardships of that journey were almost incredible ;
tugging through swamps, cutting out trees, getting across
streams; in some instances being obliged to take the wagon
apart, and carry that and the load piece-meal across, a swamp,
often not making half a mile in a day. Snow fell during the
time and the cold sleety storms caused suffering in addition to
their exhausting labor. Serenaded at night by wolves, tired,
cold and wet, for five weeks they struggled on — and got
through. It cost Kinny his life; he was so used up he never
recovered. This is pioneering.
To further show how people lived and fared, take the case
of Zopher Alderman and his family; and it may be observed
tliere is nothing unique in it. There is a sameness in old set
tlers' stories. What is said of a settler in one town, may7 be
safely predicated as having been the experience of those in
others. We have thrown in a characteristic trial or adventure
— some here and some there. Combine them, and suppose
they all occurred in one town, and the picture would be true —
a picture of pioneer life.
But to Mr Alderman. He came with his family from De
troit to Ionia. He was fifty -five years old ; had a wife and
eight children — from twenty-four years down. He had pre
viously bought eighty acres of land. A yoke of oxen and two
cows were about all the property he had. Still vigorous, and
able to endure the hardest labor, he and his boys " pitched
in; "cut and cleared twelve acres; chopped six more; work
ing for others for something to eat. They soon had food of
their own raising; but clothes and a little money for taxes
came hard, to say the least. A son of Mr. Alderman, now re
siding in South Berlin, says, that one pair of linen shirts lasted
him two years; mended and re-mended by every available kind
of cloth, they did service until, patch upon patch, they were
7

98 MEMORIALS OF THE
curiosities. Taxes were a fright, for they must be money.
Labor would command food, but not money; and the money
must be got, cost what it would. Jobs were let by the towns
to make roads across the swamps. The roads were of two
kinds, the " rail-road " and the " log-road." The rail-road
was made by grubbing out a track, covering it with split rails,
and putting on the rails eight inches of dirt; the log-roads, by-
laying down logs as stringers, and covering the track with
logs, putting on the same amount of earth. There would be
fierce competition for these jobs, which were cash. Mr. A.
states that he and others have taken these jobs — rail-road at
ten cents, and log-road at twenty-five cents a rod; where, by
the hardest labor, working early and late, a man with a yoke
of oxen could earn twenty -five cents a day7. That seems up
hill business, but such things are not the hardest a pioneer has
to submit to. Think of a man taking a bag of wheat on his
shoulder, and going forty miles to mill; returning, wading in
the snow — a four days' trip — which was done in Ionia county.
That " your humble speaker " would not have done. He
would have done as Mr. Alderman did — make a big mortar,
and bruise the grain, content to eat for life; and not be so
particular to have flour biscuit, purchased at so clear a rate.
William Babcock, when he came on, was 62 years old. He
brought his wife and eight children, and took up " land enough
to give each of them a farm." His five boys and three girls
were, Julius, Hiram, Joseph, Henry, Marcus, Dolly, Lucy and
Elizabeth. There was another son, but he never lived much
in Ionia county, so he is not counted. He would, if counted,
make nine. Julius died at Lowell, a farmer, in 1858. Hiram,
Joseph and Marcus are in Berlin, and Henry in Ionia. Thev
are all too young to have half done their life-work. Dolly,
when she came on, was the third wife of Philo Bates. She is
now the wife of the Rev. George C. Overheiser, of Ionia.
Lucy now lives, the wife of Ed. 0. Clark, of Ionia. Elizabeth
is also in Ionia, the wife of Harvey Harter; all still living, after
forty years, and all in one vicinity. Had they been Yankees,
one would have been in Texas, another in Oregon, a third in
Kansas; but here they all keep together, and it is to be hoped
that they do it from "natural affinitv."

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 99
Philo Bates (over the line, in Ionia), having been much mar
ried, brought on considerable of a family. His daughter Har
riet married Dr. Gorham and H. H. Smith (not both at once),
and resides in Jackson.
Orpha died in Jackson, the wife of H. Lathrop. Susan is
in Jackson, the wife of C. Knickerbocker. William P. and
Philo live in Ionia.
Philo Bates, Sr., died in 1838.
Benjamin Brand, who is mentioned as a pioneer, soon re
moved to Orange, where he lived a substantial farmer. He
died in 1871.
William Elvert is still resident in Berlin.
Edward Butler was killed by a fall from a wagon in 1873.
He was an early settler — a very worthy man.
On the farm of Alonzo Sessions is a " congeries " of mineral
springs, one of them chalybeate, and another " white sulphur."
If the " mineral spring " business had not been so fully played,
there are no places better fitted to start the excitement than
Danby and Berlin. Danby with her chalybeate, and Berlin
with her " white sulphur " waters. The spring on Mr. Ses
sions' land may be taken as the sure indication that gypsum
underlies that region ; whether available or not, only explora
tion can tell. BOSTON.
The settlement of Boston dates from 1837, when Worcester
English, Timothy White, Jesse Williams, Cyprian S. Hooker,
James Hoag, Moses M. Gould, Jeremiah Stannard, Orman
Hunt, David Whitney, Becket Chapman, James M. Talent,
and Albert Clement, located themselves in the part of the town
of Cass which is now Boston.
They were followed, in 1838, by Riley and Diocletian Hess,
and Jared Stocking.
In 1839 was added, as far as can be ascertained, Marvil
Church. 1840 brought in Richard Vosper, Edson English, Sylvester
Train, -Stephen Nute and Edward Carveth.
For some years but few settlers came in. About 1846, the

100 MEMORIALS OF THE
town began to fill up, and was then rapidly settled. Return
ing, we will individually trace these pioneers.
Some of them, in green old age, are still where they hewed
out for themselves a home in the woods ; but not now " wid
axe on the shoulder away to the woods." No, no; they are
quietly smoking their meerschaums in the doors of their
painted houses, looking over their broad acres, where " lowing
herds " and "waving grain " give promise of beef, bread, and
a piano. Yes, fat, hale and jolly, these old fellows and their
" vrouws" are enjoying their homes; cracking their jokes
with their grand-children ; telling them bear and wolf stories;
spinning yarns about Indians; talking over "old times" with
each other, and must it be said- —sighing for the "good old
days," when a log house was their palace; a wood-chuck their
dinner; a shingle-bolt their chair, and when they went up a
ladder to their rest under the roof, to sleep, serenaded by
wolves, owls and katydids. But such is " poor human nature."
The nigher to savage we are, the happier; the less thought, the
more feeling; and the more feeling the more enjoyment. We
heap up wealth, build and adorn sumptuous houses, with car
peted floors; have our sofas, our mirrors and chandeliers there;
store our minds with the lore of ages, and find after all, that
wealth and wisdom are not happiness. But, was there ever a
more foolish sentiment uttered than,
" Where ignorance is bliss
"Pis folly to be wise."
Just as though men lived to be happy. Let those be " happy"
who have no higher aim. Let them, if they please, pant for
a heaven where they shall spend an eternity in ecstatic delight,
singing one eternal hallelujah; or let them, while here, be for
ever contriving how they maybe "happy as a fool." Bah!
I am not, old gentlemen, sneering at you because you are
happy in the enjoyment of well-earned wealth and peaceful
hours, or that you look back on the happy days long past.
Then you were happy because you were doing something, and
you are now happy because you have done something. And
if you ever walk the streets of the New Jerusalem, you will

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 101
not find it a place where "eternal delights " are purchased by
a short life of spirtual longing here, as we purchase a big laugh
at a circus for fifty cents. Happiness may come in the train ;
but the soul that is worth saving, delights in being, in action,
in beneficence; and looks forward in eternity to being one with
the Eternal in beneficence and love. The fool is happy, be
cause he is an animal. And, kind reader, I hope you may' at
times be happy, as a relaxation from that thought and labor
that prove you a man. But let me tell you, you poor, selfish
spiritual animal, if your " humble speaker " should ever be
commissioned door-keeper, where Peter now stands, and you
come sneaking to the door to get in, because you want to be
happy, the door will not open, but there will be some hinting
that you have mistaken the place.
" Life is real; life is earnest;
Happiness is not its aim."
Away off again! Excuse me, denizens of Boston. It was
well meant, and there is wisdom in it.
Worcester English, the pioneer, died April 18th, 1851. He
was a jovial, kind-hearted man; the life ofthe social circle; a
good neighbor, and worthy citizen. His son, Edson English, a
man respected by all, died at Grand Rapids. Another son,
Harvey, died four days after his father. His only surviving
daughter is Mrs. Horace Robinson.
Timothy White came March, 1837, and still lives on his old
place. Mr. White, if you were only dead, we would talk about
you ; but disliking flattery, and meaning to speak evil of no
one, we respecfully lift our beaver — no, straw hat — and wish
ing your shadow may never be less, pass on. But, en passant,-
will say that Mr. White engineered a road through the swamps
in Campbell, and secured a mail by that route; helped cut a road
to Ada and Cascade; was first postmaster, in 1839. He and
the rest of the company that came with him, had to cut their
road from Yankee Springs. Winter, as it was, they7 had to
wade the Thornapple and Coldwater, wading breast deep in
water full of anchor ice; camping in the woods with their ox
teams. One time, in "the day7s of happiness," he went 'to

102 MEMORIALS OF THE
Grand Rapids for provisions, took one hundred pounds on his
shoulders, and came home in a day. He was one of the com
missioners to re-survey the old Clinton road from Jackson to
Grand Rapids; also to lay a State road from Lyons to Ada.
So, Mr. White, as you have done something; it is. to be hoped
as long as yon live you may smoke your pipe in happiness, and
tliat when the old " mortal coil is shuffled off," it may repose
under a good epitaph. "So mote it be; Amen."
Jesse Williams did not long survive his coming; -dying Aug.
5th, 183S; leaving one son, Elbridge G., and a daughter, Mrs.
Win. Hatch, of Lowell. As he had no time to show himself,
his history is personal.
Cyprian S. Hooker, in a good old age, is living at Lowell,
where hats are reverently doffed to him, and where his many
friends lately buried him in rich gifts at his golden wedding.
He has long been a public man, and a sketch of his life is
found elsewhere. In 1S41-2 he built a saw-mill at Saranac,
where the " Red Flouring-mill " now stands.
Jared Stocking was the first cabinet-maker. He moved
away, and is dead.
James Hoag was killed in the spring of 1851, by the fall of
a limb from a tree. He left no family but a wife. His loss was
deeply felt. He was an energetic, persevering man, fitted to
achieve success; and was a leading, influential person.
.Moses M. Gould still resides On his old farm; quiet, snug
and happy. His -wife, to whose tenacious memory we are in
debted for most of the dates here given, can tell you more facts
than any other person; and is never mistaken. If such a
memory was in every town,, the historian's work would be easy.
She will give you the year, the month, the day and the hour
that any event occurred, and there is no use in disputing. The
copious notes, dictated by her, were shown to other old set
tlers, and by them confirmed in every particular, and gen
erally with the remark, " There is no use disputing Mrs. Gould
on dates."
Jeremiah Stannard still lives in the southwest part of the
town; has won a good name and independence.
Ormand Hunt came from Vermont, He died in 1861, aoed

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 1C3
67. He left two sons and one daughter. The youngest son,
Herman, died a -soldier; the other, Simeon, is county register.
The daughter is Mrs. James English.
Becket Chapman, the first shoemaker, still dignifies Boston
with his presence.
Riley J. Hess and his brother, Diocletian, came from Steu
ben county, N. Y. Riley was a Free- Will Baptist preacher,
the first person who ever conducted religious meetings in
Boston. They were held at the house of Worcester English;
afterwards in the school house. He died at Grand Rapids in
1873. Diocletian Hess died in 1851, aged 41. An interesting
event of the early times occurred in his family. His wife car
ried the dinner to the men, who were at work in the woods.
Returning, she got lost, and, bewildered, wandered until near
perishing. She was found by the neighbors, who had rallied
for the search.
Marvil Church died in 1863, at the age of 68. One son,
Harvey, still lives in town; another, Robert, is in Campbell.
Stepheu Nute was a farmer; stood among the more prom
inent men of the town. He was from Tunbridge, Vt. He
died in 1862, aged 57. His widow- and son still occupy- the
farm. Sylvester Train came from Tunbridge, Vt. He was an
energetic, stirring man, with a good many peculiarities; a
genius of his own sort; one of the most thrifty farmers. He
died in 1865, at the ripe age of 72, leaving a large family that
he had trained for high respectability.
Albert Clement was also from Trunbridge; was a surveyor;
a prominent man in the town. At the age of 50, he died in
1862. His widow is in Saranac.
Richard Vosper is now, in vigorous manhood, dispensing
justice at Saranac; a terror to sinners, and to those who have
rights, a fountain of hope. Long may he wave! and long may
his cheerful visage be one of the cheering sights in the town
where he has grown up, until he is of it the chief magistrate.
Mr. James M. Talent; we have reserved him for the last,
chat we may indulge our propensity to talk, and he furnishes
the material for pointing a moral or gracing an idea. He

104 MEMORIALS OF THE
still resides in his" old log house. The rest of his compeers
have discarded logs, and erected their second houses, but he
is true to his first love. He helped build the first log house;
has always lived in a log house, and has reverently made up
his mind to die in his log house. There, on his fine farm)slie
welcomes his friends with simple kind-heartedness, and, on
the down-hill side of life, with the wife of his youth, is enjoy
ing the rustic simplicity that, once a necessity, has become
the choice of their lives. Mr. Talent, let that old house be;
leave it as a landmark; something to remind posterity- of the
simple life of the pioneers. You will never find another
house a home; you are too old to learn to put on airs, and to
begin life in a new house. Everv log has its hallowed associ-
ation. That old fireplace is sacred, for many a pleasant hour
has been passed before it. How would you feel in a painted
house, with a carpet on the floor, and obliged to use a spit-
box? It is thickly enshrined with moss — let it be; leave it to
those who have no associations, to desecrate the old house.
But, would you have thought it? Since writing the above
we have visited Boston. As, with soul filled with sweet sen
timentality, we came in sight of the rose-embowered cottage,
our disgust was ineffable at seeing a new, painted house in
close proximity. Our indignation vented itself in unspoken
wickedness, when we thought of so much fine writing and sen
timent spoiled — rendered utterly inappropriate and useless.
Well, he never will enjoy himself in the new concern ; and
what was written in full belief in his bucolic simplicity, shall
stand as written, to remind him of what he should have done.
But Mr. Talent is not the only one who has disappointed
fond hopes and expectations. The writer, himself, 'must plead
guilty. A fond mother built a castle in the air. She looked
forward to the time when her son should grace a pulpit; but
the graceless youth was too intensely human to be a divine.
" Sic transit," et cetera.
The pioneer school in Boston was kept by Miss Susan A.
Church, in a log school-house on the farm of Edson English.
She is now Mrs. Elbridge Williams, of Boston.
The first birth in the town was that of Betsy Ann Gould,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 105
Oct. 29th, 1837. Mrs. Gould is sure she is not mistaken in
the date, as she was there herself. Betsy Ann is , now Mrs.
Albert Aldrich, of Boston.
The first boy who honored Boston by choosing it as his
birth-place, was Henry Hess, son of Diocletian and Lydia
Hess. September, 1838, was the time. His birth-place was
a tent made of quilts.
We might tell of an embryo city, laid out by Robert Hilton
and James Hoag, on the clear stream that empties at Saranac.
A saw-mill was there built by Hoag; and. prophetic vision
pictured a thriving village, with that as a center. They felt
that if no village was there, tliere was a fine place to put one.
They platted and mapped it, and called it " Waterville."
Alas, for hopes! Waterville only existed as a map and a saw
mill; and Saranac, at the mouth of the stream, sprang up be
cause it could not help it. Another proof that not men, but
circumstances, change the sites of towns and villages.
The township was organized April, 1838. First meeting at
the house of Worcester English.
C. S. Hooker, Supervisor; Jesse Williams, Clerk; C. S.
Hooker, Worcester English, Moses M.' Gould, Timothy White,
Justices. In 1849, the part of Keene south of the river, was added to
Boston. In 1869, Saranac was chartered as a village, and Wm. Mer
cer elected President.
The village contains about 800 people, has a superabundance
of churches — no less than eight. Its pride are its school house —
which cost $13,000, and . is an honor to the brains of the peo
ple — and their fine iron bridge across the Grand River. They
have a fine, but not large water-power, which runs two saw
mills and a flouring mill. A stave factory was put up in '66.
There are also an oar factory, and other minor concerns. Seven
doctors there attend to the ills of the body, and four lawyers
to the mental and pecuniary evils of the region round about;
while the worshipers of all kinds and names, in the towns
around, have here their spiritual center.
In the cemetery is a monument showing how fearfully the

106 MEMORIALS OF THE
late war visited one family — the family of Lewis.. Three
brothers — Royal P., Daniel L., and George S. Lewis — all died in
the war.
Another monument records the tragic death of Nelson Beck
with, who perished in the flames of his burning house, in the
vain attempt to rescue his little son, Dec. 2Sth, 1862.
The churches are: Baptist, brick church, 1870; Episcopal
Methodist, wood; Episcopal, wood, 1S59; Free Methodist, no
edifice; Wesleyan Methodist, wood, 1874; Congregational,
wood, 1 873 ; Seventh Day Advents, no building; Evangelists, no
building; Spiritualists no building — all in the little village
of Saranac.
At this place we will speak of Wesleyan Methodism, and
shall do it in the language of Elder D. A. Richards, of Saranac:
" In accordance with your request, I cheerfully undertake
to give you such items of interest, relating to Wesleyan Meth
odism in- Ionia county, as are at my command.
" Wesleyan Methodism was introduced into Ionia county
about 1845. Among the first preachers who visited this
county were Rev. R. D. Howe, of Orleans, recently deceased,
and A. W. Curtis, who yet lives — a venerated father in Israel.
There are organizations at present in Berlin, Easton, Sabewa,
Campbell and Saranac, numbering some one hundred and fiftv
members. They have a church edifice in Berlin, and another
in process of erection at Saranac. There are at present two
ministers residing in the county — Rev. B. W. Backus, of
Berlin, and myself." EASTON.
In treating of the early times at Ionia, that place was con
sidered as a center of settlement. It was considerable time
before the present town lines were established. When they
were established, the territory covered by the Ionia settle
ment, formed itself in the three towns— Ionia, Easton and Ber
lin. The city of Ionia is close upon the borders of the town
ship. A considerable proportion of what is written of the
Ionia settlement belongs to Easton. Hence, in giving to each

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 107
town its dues, there is necessarily some repetition. Easton
was identified with Ionia until 1843, Avhen it became an inde
pendent town. Its first township meeting was held at the
tavern of Simon Welch, April 3d; at which time and place it
was organized, with the following officers : Supervisor, Thomas
Cornell; Clerk, Sanford Yeomans; Treasurer, Erastus Yeo
mans; Justices, Malcom McLaughlin, Thomas Cornell, Daniel
S. Brownell, William Fleming.
The settlement ofthe town commenced in the spring of 1833,
by Erastus Yeomans, spoken of in connection with the Dexter
colony. He located in that part of Ionia which is now Easton,
and where he now (1875), in venerable old age, is still resident.
His family consisted of himself, wife, and seven children —
three sons and four daughters. Judge Yeomans was appointed
postmaster of Ionia in 1834, and held that office until 1840.
He was subsequently one of the county judges for several
vears; always a leading man, highly respected for his intel
lectual and moral worth. Two of his sons died young; the
other, Sandford A., has long been one of the most enterprising
and successful business men, a public man, holding various
offices in the town and county. He was a member of the Con
stitutional Convention in 1867.
The Cornell family, spoken of in connection with Ionia, be
longed to Easton. There were three sons, Daniel, Thomas and
Alfred, all still living. Daniel has never had a family.
Thomas is on the original homestead; has long been a public
man; was first Clerk of the town, County Treasurer, County
Surveyor, etc.; one of the men the people delight to honor.
Alfred is known as a Baptist clergyman; at present pastor of
the church in Portland. Still he is in his Master's service, with
good years of work, as we hope, remaining before him, and
enjoying in an eminent degree, the good will and respect of
the community where he long has been an efficient laborer.
For nineteen years he was pastor of the Baptist Church, in
Ionia. Dexter Arnold and family located on Sec. 13, in 1835. He
had four sons— Aaron, Walter D., Wm. D., and Irving. Wal
ter D. has for many years been a member of the firm of Rich

108 MEMORIALS OF THE
& Co.; a thorough business man; and enjoys that reputation
which is won by sterling integrity. William D. is a farmer;
has several times been supervisor. The other sons did not
remain as permanent settlers.
Without attempting to particularize the years, the following
may be given as the earlier settlers of Easton :
George Case, B. G. Barber, Jared and Thomas H. Conner,
Ezra Winslow, Elisha Doty, J ohn North, Calvin M. Rice,
Chauncey Stebbins, and their families; James Crawford (un
married); Simeon Welch came in 1835, and located on Sec.
19; Richard M. Bishop, in 1836, on Sec. 8. In 1857, Mr.
Bishop was accidentally shot while eating his dinner on a log
in the woods, where Ke was chopping; the hunter who shot
him supposing him to be a deer. Joseph Barker located on
Sec. 17, in the spring of 1837. George W. Dexter, with a
family of eight children, in 1838, located on Sec. 20. He
died in 1848, and six of his children died in the short space
of three years — two of them drowned at one time. One of
his sons is still a resident. Wm. Muselman came in 1837,
and located on Sec. 7, and Wm. Fleming in the fall of 183S.
Stephen Dexter and family — wife and three children — came
from Washtenaw county with his brother, Geo. W. Dexter,
and settled on Sec. 20, in 1838. But two of this family are
now living — a son and daughter.
William Winslow came to Ionia in 1835, and soon be
came a resident of Easton, locating on Sec. 14, where he still
resides. His father, Ezra Winslow, came soon after, and died
in 1842. William Dildine and Charles came into the town in
1843, and located on Sec. 10. Isaac Finch settled on Sec. 28,
in the fall of 1839. Mr. Finch died in 1874.
Mr. George Case, who was spoken of as one of the early
1 settlers, was drowned in 1836, in Grand River, just below the
mouth of the Thornapple, while attempting to swim his horse
through the stream. He, and Thomas Coi-nell, Esq., were on
their way to Grand Rapids. He lost his life through not
knowing the fact that a horse in swimming, should not be
strongly reined against the current, but should be mainly left
to himself. Reining against the stream is liable to turn the

GRAND RIVES VALLEY. 109
horse upon his back, submerging the rider. The same horse
had been safely ridden through the same place by Dr. Lin
coln, its owner.
Easton is essentially an agricultural town, with an undu
lating surface. Originally a part of it was timbered land,
and a part of it openings. As an agricultural town, it will
compare favorably with any in the county.
The saw mill, built by Dexter in 1833, was in Easton.
Most of the brick used at and near Ionia are made in this
town. The Intermediate State Prison, nominally located at
Ionia, is over the line in Easton.
The history of Easton is so interwoven with that of the
Ionia settlement that there is no separating them. So far as
a rural tovra depends on a city, Easton is as much a depend
ency as the township of Ionia. For a series of years they
were one in organization and in sympathy-. With different
civil relations, they still are one.
Clustering around the little village of Ionia, the first settle
ment was in three towns, as they are now; those who took
up land being as much in one as the other.
For the facts embodied in this article the author is wholly
indebted to Dr. Lincoln, of Ionia, who has otherwise laid him
under obligations, by the aid and kindly interest he has shown
in this work In Oriental language, " May his shadow never
be less," and may the pioneer doctor and teacher in his de
clining -fears enjoy the full respect due to kindliness and
worth. NORTH PLAINS.
North Plains was an outlying portion of Lyons, and its early
history is blended with the history of that town.
April 1st, 1844, it was organized as a town, having under its
protection the two towns immediately north. That part of
the township which lies south of the Maple River was left as
a part of Lyons.
The first town meeting, as appears from the town book, was
held at the house of Bartley Dunn. The first town officers
were:

110 MEMORIALS OF THE
Nathaniel Sessions, Supervisor; George Germain, Clerk;
Silas Crippen, Treasurer; Hector Hays, Chauncey7 Conkey, H.
V. Lebhart, Nathaniel Sessions, Justices.
In reality, Wm. Sessions was supervisor the first year, as
his father, N. Sessions, resigned on account of ill health; and
William was appointed. This does not appear on the record,
one leaf of which is missing. The name of Wm. Sessions
appears as supervisor, with no record of the change.
The number of votes was thirty-six.
Voted that the town officers have six shillings a day for ser
vices; $90 were raised for town expenses, and $10 for the
poor. On the records of the year are found the names of Bartly
Dunn, a blacksmith, died 1850, aged 56; Nathaniel Sessions
—in a good old age, still living in North Plains; Hector Hays,
also still living in the same place; Chauncey Conkey, soon
moved away; Hiram Brown, Geo. D. Kellogg, Geo. W.
Germain, and Major D. Mills, still resident; Baker Borden,
moved to Grand Rapids; Moses De Long, Lyman Williams.
Lorin Jenks and Valentine Lewis, transient; Henry V. Leb
hart, died at Lyons, 1874; Silas Crippen, died 1S52; Jay Olm
sted, died 1868, aged 57; Wm. Sessions, lives at Ionia; John
Jennings, lives in Ronald; Caleb Bundy, died 1855; Samuel
Staughton, dead; Caleb Crippin, died in Isabel county;
Alvin B. Smith, dead; John McKelvy, died 1847, aged 57;
Jacob Dunn, dead; Joseph Bundy, died in the army.'
The honor of being the first settlers of North Plains is
amicably divided between Hiram Brown and Hector Hays,
who left Ontario county, N. Y., in October, 1836, with their
families, and in company wended their weary7 way to the wilds
of Michigan. They were not without means ; each had a yoke
of oxen, -wagon, and a little money. At Detroit they pur
chased extra teams; loaded their families and provisions on
their wagons; sent their household goods around the lakes and
took the trail for Ionia. It was their intention to have kept
together, but the lazier team and heavier load of Hays, made
it irksome to Brown to keep back, or for Hays to keep up. At
Pontiac Hays told Brown to "go ahead." Brown went ahead,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. Ill
and, by arriving four days sooner than Hays, secured the dis
tinction of being the " first settler." Arrived Oct. 9th.
This journey was one of labor and suffering; streams were
to be forded; a heavy snow fell while they were on their jour
ney. Nights were spent camping under trees. They were
not used to that style of living, and it is no wonder, if, before
the weary journey was ended, they wished themselves back in
old Ontario.
Brown arrived at his camping ground in North Plains, Oct.
5th, 1836, and Hays four days later. They camped for a
while until they could get themselves log houses, which they
did before winter. They had provisions, young hearts and
stout hands, and they went to work. They had neighbors at
the south; but in all other directions all was a " hooting wild
erness." " Finny streams," " lowing vales," and " howling
wildernesses " are hackneyed terms, which from use have lost
their poetic charm. When we recollect that in the wilds of
Michigan, the owl was the settler's chief serenader, the term
"hooting wilderness" is seen to be singularly expressive and
poetic. But let all future writers bear in mind, that the felicit
ous expression is copyrighted.
In 1837, the accessions were: Jay Olmstead, Nathanial Ses
sions, Moses Dean, Anson D. Glass, Silas Crippin, Wm. Vanco,
and Major D. Mills.
Afterwards the filling up was slow for some years. Among
those arriving in the succeeding years, we notice, Geo. W. Kel
logg, '39; Mrs. Elizabeth Palmer and sons, Samuel E. Staugh-
ton, George W. Germain, John McKelvy, William W. Edmins-
ter, Jireh Baker and family, his son. Horace Baker, and Bartly
Dunn. The*history of this town is notf so much its settlement, as
of its steady development into fine farms and thriving villages.
Its pioneers, Brown and Hays, in a good old age, still live,
enjoying the well-merited respect of the people, who have
always looked up to them as among their leaders. But few
of the other pioneers still add the dignity of their venerable
presence to the town. Of many who have passed away, we
are sorry to say, no stone marks their grave. We have all

112 MEMORIALS OF THE
manner of "associations" now-a-days; would not a "Pioneer
Monument Association " be a graceful addition to the number?
Of Hays, it mpy be said, that if his lazy oxen deprived him
ofthe distinction of being the pioneer of North Plains, he was
in another sense the pioneer. He first furnished fatted beef
to the citizens of Grand Rapids. That is an event of too
much importance for the historian to pass over. He had
raised a yoke of steers; but in their development one of them
grew up the most ungainly brute that ever disgraced a farm —
so big that he could not be matched, and so ill-shaped that if
he had been mated with his equal, Hays did not wish to be
branded as their owner. What was to be clone? " I will fat
him," said Hays; and he did it. He fed him a year, took him
to Grand Rapids, and sold him. There several clubbed to
gether, bought the monster, paraded him, decked with ribbons,
through the streets, while a herald announced his slaughter the
next morning. The morn of sacrifice came. Each denizen of
the village came for a piece of the " big ox." They had eaten
nothing before but beef " fatted lean " on browse and marsh
hay. Such a smacking of lips as there was there that forenoon
was a joy to witness. The universal' greeting was: "Did you
have some of the beef?" "Wasn't it delicious?" So great
was the rush to the slaughter-house, that by7 eight o'clock in the
morning, nothing was left of the meat but the tail and half the
liver. Nothing was heard during the day but praises of the
beef. It was a day long to be remembered by the residents
at Grand Rapids.
When Ha,ys returned home, he sat down to figure on his
"big ox," and the result was:
Ox Dr. »
Cost of first four years  $50 00
Feeding five tons of hay at $8 per ton  40 00
100 bushels of potatoes at 20 cts. per bushel  20 00
75 " corn at 30 cts. per bushel  22 50
Marketing  5 00
$137 50
Cr. cash on sale  56 00

Clear profit  $81 50

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 113
" Well done, ox ! Henceforth be thou identified with the
corporeal system of the citizens of Grand Rapids, and I will
enjoy the profit of thy- living identity."
Historically, North Plains has the advantage' of a tragedy,
which is still shrouded in mystery. In the spring of 1838 the
settlers aud community were horrified by the murder of the
family of Ansel D. Glass, before mentioned as one of the pio
neer settlers of the town. Public opinion is still divided as to
who was the perpetrator. Glass lived four miles from any
neighbor. The last known of him he had cut his foot badly
on the instep; this was done up by Major Mills, who, with his
wife, went there at the request of Mrs. Glass. This was about
the middle of March. Judge Brown, out hunting, came to Glass'
house, found it partly7 burned, and saw the partly7 consumed
remains of several persons; he spread the report, and soon an
excited crowd gathered. A coroner's jury .was empaneled, who
investigated the case, but could arrive at no conclusion, except
that Mrs. Glass and her two children were murdered. The
excitement was intense; Glass could not be found. Some cir
cumstances pointed to the Indians as the murderers, and the
fear of the Indians almost paralyzed the people. Cobmoosa
and the Indians came to the sceneof the murder; they endeav
oring to exculpate the Indians of the Valley, still saying it was
Indians' work. An eye witness, Capt. Parks, says that the
mien of that chief, as he addressed the Indians tliere, was of
the most impressive dignity. Although his address was not
understood by the whites, the eloquence of tone and action was
comprehended and felt by all.
No effort was spared by the Indians to allay the fears of the
settlers. By every imaginable act of kindness they tiled to
conciliate good will, but all in vain until the story of the dis
covery of Glass was circulated. Then confidence again re
turned, and the settler, when he bade his loved ones " Good
night," did it without fear, and slept in peace.
Four Indians, not belonging to any of the river clans, had
been loafing around for some time, and were not seen after the
murder of the Glass family. The Indians laid the deed to
them. Others believed that Glass was the murderer, and that

114 MEMORIALS OF THE
he had run away. No motive can be assigned for the deed
being done by Glass ; and besides, being crippled by a recent
wound, he could not have run away.
Our opinion is, that these Indians got into a quarrel with
Glass; took him from his house, murdered and secreted him;
then returned and finished up the job by killing Mrs. G. and
the children, and firing the house.'
It was reported afterwards that Glass was seen and identified
out by the Mississippi river. A warrant for his return to the
State was got out, but never served, for the reason that there
were no funds in the treasury to pay the expense. A promi
nent man in the county informed the writer that he himself
invented the story of the discovery of Glass, to allay the set
tlers' fear of the Indians. No one felt safe. He was satisfied
that the Indians of the Valley did not do the deed, and, to re
assure the people, manufactured the story. His name is" not
here given. Those who know what it is to be afraid of In
dians, will excuse the fraud. But until the above alluded to
man shall see fit, over his own name, to tell his story to the
public, the memory of Glass will he coupled with the belief in
his three-fold murder.
Mr. McKelvy, who more properly belongs to Lyons, brought
the first " civilized hogs" into the Grand River Valley. Those,
who have seen the old-fashioned, yellow, long-nosed grey
hound hogs of Michigan, will appreciate this act of McKelvy.
Those, who in former times ate " Western pork," know
well the difference between a civilized and a savage
hog. The hog, unrefined by culture, is a savage beast;
lean as a wolf ; one-third nose; a sinister, gaunt, long-eared
nuisance. Cultivated, he is the noble Suffolk, with his sleek
sides stuffed with juicy pork; or the beautiful Chester, whose
mild eyes and glossy sides seem smilingly to say7, "eat me."
What cannot culture do? 'Tis as useful in man as in the hog.
Under culture, the old brutal swine, cursed by .the Jew; a by
word for slovenly brutishness, is disappearing; yes, has disap
peared. When will culture cause to disappear the brutish,
superstitious, even unhogly7, human swine? A^s, it is to be
feared that " careful selection" and the knife will never exterm
inate the old kind, as in America they have done with the hoc.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 115
Let us do honor to Miss Sarah Sangster, who first, in a little
shanty, kept a private school near Mr. Hays'. She was the
daughter of a Baptist preacher, and is now, if living, Mrs.
Floyd (a widow), in California. This is not the only town
that cherishes the name of Miss Sangster. In another part of
this book our opinion is freely given of the "school-marms."
We will only add here our advice to young men. In looking for
a good wife, one who will be a helpmate and a companion, and
a wise mother to your children, don't look among the fashion
able Misses (if you have brains), until you have seen the
" schpol-marm." The preachers who penetrated the town when it was the
back-woods, were Mitchell, Chatfield and L. M. S. Smith,
(otherwise spoken of). But the one who has the honor of
being the first was Nathan Mount. ,
As an historical event, we might tell of the preparation by7
the Second Adventists of their "ascension robes" and their
waiting for the final trump; but sickened disgust at fanatic
superstition prompts to draw the veil, and name neither per
sons nor time. It is sufficient to say there is pity for dupes,
scorn for knaves, and contempt for fools. The town has had
its Second Advent spasm — hope they learned common sense
by it; but vain is the hope. Those whose foreheads "slant
back" will have some dear delusion, and will pray about those
who cherish "human reason."
In passing, we will say a few words about John McKelvy,
who sleeps in the cemetery at North Plains, but who belonged
to Lyons. He brought in the first drove of cattle, and the
first seed wheat. In 1838, his son, John, Jr., brought in the
first thrashing-machine — an 8-horse power — going to Roches
ter, N. Y., for it. The wheat was sold in small quantities to
the settlers, for $5 per bushel.
This John McKelvy was a character in his way; a man of
strong intellect, of stern integrity; sympathetic and helpful to
the needy; energetic in business, and not to be trifled with.
He served in the war of 1812. In 1827, he settled seven miles
north of Pontiac; and, in 1834, moved to Lyons, where he
improved a large farm, and secured a handsome property. He

116 MEMORIALS OF THE
died in 1847, aged 57. One son of his — Daniel — went to the
Mississippi, and was brought back to die. A daughter is the
wife of John E. Morri:on, of Ionia; and his son and name
sake is a lawyer and farmer in North Plains.
This John McKelvy can tell you many a good story of
those " dear old times." Get him, Hays, Brown, Mills, and
the other old sinners — no, settlers — together, their pipes all
lit, a good pitcher of cider on ,the table, and they will spin
yarns enough — all intensely interesting to the actors — to make
a book. But gentle reader, a story from the mouth of a living
actor in the scene, is one.thing; a printed report of it as taken
down by a reporter, is quite another. Listen to the aforesaid
old fellows, laughing until their jolly old sides ache, as one
remembrance after another comes up; you laughing yourself
into convulsions in the sympathy of full enjoyment. Then
go home and try to write it up. It won't be written. A
spirit cannot be caught. Life is made up of common events of
the intensest interest to the individuals, but no common event
will bear printing. You have worked hard, dear reader; have
been a good man or woman; but have you given one line to
history! Of most of us good folks, the only record will be on
a stone: " Died Dec. 16th, 1879, aged 61 years, 5 months and
31 days and a half." How many a useful career has no more
record ! MATHERTON.
This is a snug little village, bearing the name of its founder,
Asaph Mather, who, in 1844, bought out Beckwith & Co.,
who, two years before had made a beginning — built a saw
mill, etc. It is now a snug little village — such as will cluster
itself about the mills.
The place is capable of further development. Of it, Mather
has been, and is, the center and the soul; in more senses than
one, the "biggest man in town." A steam saw mill was built
by Mather in 1873. A school is kept all the year.
HUBBARDSTON.
Under the auspices of the Hubbardston Lumbering Com
pany, and centering around their works, is the snug village
with the above name.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 117
This company was composed of Thomas Hubbard, Noah
Hitchcock, Newton W. Taylor, Wilson Homer and Nelson F.
Rogers. They, with a. capital of $75,000, laid out the village, and
put up mills in 1865. They have a saw mill of 40 M per day-
capacity, sash and blind works, and are erecting works for
the manufacture of various articles from hard wood. The
village contains seven hundred inhabitants; a graded school,
with five teachers.
The village has three taverns, six stores, one lawyer, two
doctors, one foundry, three churches — the Methodist built in
1868, the Congregational in 1868, and the Catholic in 1869.
It has also a printing office and newspaper.
The water-power is one of the best in the country, and capa
ble of further development.
In the cemetery at North Plains, may be found another
instance of the coincident death of an old couple. Moses
Rounds, 1868, aged 75 ; his wife, Sophia, the same day.
It is to be supposed they were married; that they were
imbued with an idea, now obsolete, that a man and his wife
are one. Would it not be well if people had not become so
much wiser than the original lawyer, who promulgated that
idea. My hat came off at this grave: I know not who they
were, except they were "Moses and Sophia Rounds;" but
between them there certainly was one soul.
RONALD.
The following account of Ronald is mainly from an article
prepared by the Rev. John Van Vleck, and published in the
" Ionia County Directory." Mr. Van Vleck is an old resident,
and speaks of what he knows. The language of Van Vleck is
not used, but we are happy to acknowledge our obligations to
him, and to Mr. Dillenback, who has kindly consented to our
use ofthe article.
Ronald was.first broken into in the spring of 1837, by George
Younger and Joshua Shepard. Shepard's location is now
the county poor farm. He did not survive but a short time
He left a widow and three sons — William, Chauncey- and

118 MEMORIALS OF THE
Norman, who remained on the farm and cleared it up. Sam
uel Yates had before (1835) settled south of the town line,
locating part of his farm in Ronald. Shepard's farm was near
the south line.
In the autumn of 1837, came the Rev. John Van Vleck and
William Wood, who pushed further north ; Van Vleck locat
ing where now is the village of Palo, and Wood on Sec. 19.
In the winter following, the father of Van Vleck came on to
look; looked, saw and approved, and the next summer moved
on with his family. The family consisted of Mathew Van
Vleck, his wife, three sons, John, Albert and Peter, and two
daughters, Catharine and Sarah. The entire family are still
living; the old patriarch is happy, seeing his sons and daugh
ters all around him, enjoying the good things of the world, and
the respect of the community, of which they and he were the
pioneers. The family secured an abundant supply of land,
and have held on upon it.
They had no neighbors for several years; and a journey
through the "tangled wilderness" to the abodes of civilization
was no trifle. The old gentleman and his wife, on the shady
side of 80, in their cosy home in Palo, are biding their time.
Intellect is still clear, and though the departure is at hand, con
scious of a life well spent, and proud of the family they have
reared, they look not back with regret, and have no fears of
being forgotten. The hoary head, which is the crown. of a life
well spent, has always its veneration, and we reverently take
off our hat to the venerable old man and woman, peacefully
finishing life's wearying pilgrimage. We do not say "live
forever," for it is our hope, in peaceful and honored old age,
"to lie down with our fathers." So, when the time comes,
when " the wheel is broken at the cistern," and the pulses of
life beat without emotion, we hope that loving hands will lay
you away where the angel of the resurrection will find you.
Be yours a peaceful old age awhile longer, while intellect holds
sway, and while life has its charms. When these fail, it is
sweet to rest. Who wishes to live, a human nobody — a shat
tered lantern, in which no light is burning ? Benedicite !
Moralizing on old age, we have strayed from Ronald.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 119

Catharine Van Vleck married George D. Tasker, and now
survives as his widow. Their marriage was the first event of
the kind in the town. At the rural wedding, aii immense wild
turkey was a part of the feast; whether served in ancient
Spanish style, like the peacock at Don Pedro's feast, "all
dressed in fire and feather," tradition does not say. That the
fiddler came from Ionia, with his old violin, to start the rural
swains and country lasses into the hilarious dance, is not sup-
posable — for her brother was a minister; the dance was under
the church's proscription; and the violin was banned, excom
municated and abhorred. It had not yet won its plac3 in the
churches and at Christian homes," for the good reason that it
had kept bad company7. Young reader, beware, and take a
lesson from the violin. If you are found in low company, you
will not find your place in higher. No, they did not have a
violin ; but the young dominie cracked many a sly joke, that
exploded in hilarious laughter. Why, let alone the dominie
for waking up a wedding party. Now, they are much like
other genial people; but in time past they were just like a bot
tle of champagne — still and long-visaged until the cork was
taken out. Then, though long-visaged still, there was an ex
plosive effervescence. We don't say it was in this case; only7
that this vms dominical nature; a fact which proves that grace
cannot altogether conquer human nature.
In 1838, Alanson Snow (since dead) came, with a large fam
ily, and located in the middle of the town. His father-in-law,
Pangborn, was brought on with them. He was a Revolution-
ary soldier; kept alive, as was said, to draw his pension, much
longer than there is any sense or propriety in living; alive long
years after all show of intellect had disappeared, and almost all
signs of even life; dying, at last, over one hundred years old,
from mere lack of any7 oil in the exhausted lamp*. To live so
is dreadful. Death, thou art not " the king of terrors" to a
good old age. Thy presence is welcome, as bringing a peace
ful rest. Why sometimes forget to come when life is a weari
ness and a curse? Of senses bereft,
And all that is dear,

120 MEMORIALS OF THE
The little that's left
Is out of its sphere.
0, is there not sadness
In an old man's doom!
And say, is it madness
That welcomes the tomb?
The same year came Lafayette Church, now a minister m
Gratiot county. He made some improvements and wenta"way.
So also came and went J. J. Foote.
In 1839, Stephen and Wellington Page settled in the town,
where they7 held prominent place among the good citizens;
they now reside in Ionia.
Eli Soule came in 1840, but left for other parts. Wm. Jen
nings came in '42. He now is in Ionia. Joseph L. Freeman
and family were added in '43, and the same year Daniel
Dodge. His sons say he was not that Dodge whose epitaph —
" He dodged the good,
But never dodged the evil;
He dodged his best and all he could,
But could not dodge the devil," —
has become classic. No, he was not that Dodge, but another
man of another family. That Dodge was a Dr. Dodge, of
Thomaston, Maine, and this epitaph, composed by himself, was
truly expressive of the character of the old reprobate. The
Ronald Dodge was another sort of man; and among his sons
were two lawyers, one doctpr, one editor, and two teachers.
No old bach., like the Dr. Dodge of Thomaston, or such a
man, ever raised such a family. Two of his boys — the twins —
look so much alike, especially Elvander, that they scarcely
know themselves apart.
1845 brought the Mosier family, Geo. Sessions and Phineas
Hutchins. Sessions went away after a few years, and, as a
consequence, was killed by the caving of a mine in California;
a warning to such as desert Ronald.
Alpheus Hawley came in '46 — a man who was death on bears,
wolves and muskrats, as well as a successful farmer, and
valued citizen. He is still resident. His tribute to his coun
try was two sons, who died in the war.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 121
Slowly the town filled up. In 1846, at the time of its
organization, there were 26 voters. At the organization Wm.
Jennings had the honor of being the first supervisor.
In 1845, that " Mother in Israel," Mrs. Dodge, organized
a Sunday school. This woman died at the residence" of her
son, in Ionia, in 1872. The pioneer school was kept by John
Van Vleck — only 5 or 6 scholars.
About 1854, Albert Van Vleck, thinking it was too bad for
the people to go to Ionia for their matches and tobacco, opened
a little store, where he kept those articles; also, calico, sugar,
etc. Soon around the store centered the blacksmith, shoe
maker, carpenter, etc. This decided that tliere was the place
for the church, the school-house, and the et ceteras of a country
center, and the pretty village of Palo is the result. In honor
ofthe victory at Palo Alto it received its name; a name suf-
gested by Van Vleck, and given by acclamation, when the
news of that victory first came.
Palo is now a snug country center. Here the Baptists and
Methodists have their churches; and here they have several
manufacturing concerns, and the usual complement of stores,
doctors, mechanics, etc., of a thriving country village. The
place has no natural advantages, but is what man made it.
Ronald has its traditions. It once had a magistrate — a jus
tice or an esquire — not learned indeed in the law, but fertile
in resources. This dignitary was called upon to weld two into
oue, which he did to his own and their satisfaction. To his own,
for he had been sadly in need of a dollar to send to Ionia for
whisky and tobacco; to theirs, for a life of blissful union wa-.
now begun. But earthly bliss is often evanescent: Ere
twenty days had elapsed, the married couple presented them
selves again at the justice's house. " We cannot live together,"
said Obadiah. " I won't live with him," said his charming
Sophia. "Can't you unmarry us ? " said both together. The
justice pondered, and scratched his judicial head; he took
down the " statutes," searched them, and ruminated deep and
long. He found no law to authorize the deed. He
thought again — "What man has done he may undo; this
is common sense, and should be law." Rising from his

122 MEMORIALS OF THE
magisterial chair, he said: "Obadiah and Sophia, stand up,
and take each other by the hand; do you solemnly promise to
separate, and bother each other no more?" Answer of both :
" You bet on that." " Then I unmarry you — get along with
yon — you couple of greenies; associate with owls and porcu
pines ; only get out of my sight — git ! " And they " got " incon
tinently and instanter.
Another dim tradition is one, in which the Rev. Van Vleck,
a horse, a deer, a fire-brand and a pair of scissors are mixed
up. But whether it was that Van Vleck, riding along an
Indian trail, saw a deer; and having snatched the remnants of a
pole from a burning brush-pile, mounted his horse, pursued,
overtook and knocked down the deer with the blazing brand,
and then cut his throat with a pair of scissors; or that a deer,
riding a pair of scissors, chased Van Vleck, knocked him down
with a horse, and cut his throat with a fire-brand; or, that a
horse, riding a fire-brand, pursued a pair of scissors, knocked
them down with Van Vleck, and cut their throat with a deer,
is quite uncertain; antecedent probability is in favor of the
first way of stating it; but the tradition is mixed. This much
is sure — some such event did happen.
We will follow the fortune and the fate of a few more of the
pioneers of Ronald.
Alfred Van Vleck has always lived at Palo. There he is as
happy as 1,000 acres of prime land, flocks, herds, money in
the bank, and a good name, can make him.
George Younger, was an industrious, hard-working Scotch
man; an honest, sober man. He has paid the debt of nature.
Wm. Wood, lived in Ronald but a few years; removed to
Otisco, where he built a mill He died at Saranac, about 1871.
Benjamin F. Pew, who should have been mentioned as com
ing in about 1840, has alternated between Ronald and Califor
nia. He was a "patriot" in the McKenzie war in Canada;
was a prisoner at Quebec. Released, he concluded to let the
Canadians do their own patriotism. He has since thrived by
attending to his own business as a merchant at Palo. He has
been a mighty hunter.
Wm. Jennings, left Ronald; bnt left behind the regret that

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. . 123
he chose Ionia. He labored for the good of the community,
and had a strong hold on their respect, which he had worthily
won. He is now a merchant at Ionia.
Ronald was organized as a town in 1845. Its first officers
were :
William Jennings, Supervisor; William J. Clark, Clerk;
Royal Howell, Treasurer; John Ransom, Parley Eaton,
Chauncey Goodwin, Joseph L. Freeman, Justices.
PALO BAPTIST CHUECH.
The Baptist Church at Palo was organized March 18th, 1846, with twelve
members— seven men and five women. About three hundred have since
been admitted by letter or profession. The Rev. John Van Vleck, who was
one of the constituent members, was the first pastor, and has served, in all,
seventeen years in that capacity.
This church was the first in Ronald; and for several years the only religious
society in town. Its growth has been steady and healthy; and a quiet, yet
powerful influence for good has gone out from it during all the years of its
existence. It has a good frame meeting house— built about 1860. It has now
a membership of over 150 persons, and is, under the leadership of its present
pastor, Rev. H. A. Rose, likely to continue a prosperous and useful religious
society. ¦ J. V. C.
The following communication is left to tell the story of
Methodism in this region. It is given in the language of the
writer. We only wish we had such reports from all the
churches as we get from Ronald :
PALO METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHTJRCII.
This church consists of three Classes : the Palo, West Bushnell and South
Ronald Classes, having a total full membership of one hundred and forty;
probationers, twenty.
The present pastor, Rev. Burton S. Mills, receives a salary of $800, and
parsonage, $100 — $900. The parsonage-was built in 1858. In the years
1869-70, a church building, 86 by 60 feet, was erected and furnished with a
bell, organ, carpet and furnace, at a total cost of $4,500, and dedicated, free
of debt, August, 1870.
Since that time sheds have been built containing ten stalls, and costing
$500. The "West Bushnell Class have a neat little chapel nearly completed, cost
ing about $1,500, which they expect to dedicate, free of debt, before the close
of the present year.
The first organization within our present limits, was the Class at Long
Plains, in the year 1846, organized by the preachers in charge of either the
Ionia or Lyons Circuit — Kevs. F. A. Blades and  Comfort. This is the

124 ¦ MEMORIALS OF THE
present South Ronald Class, and some ofthe original members are still living
and members ofthe Class.
In 1854, the Michigan Annual Conference organized the Matherton Cir
cuit, consisting of this and several other Classes. In 1856, Palo Class was
added, and in 1861-2 these had increased to ten Classes. In 1862, Palo Cir-
suit was formed,- and in 1870, consisted of five Classes, two of which in that
year were set off to Bloomer Circuit, leaving the charge consisting of the
three Classes as they exist at the present time, the oldest being the original
" Long Plains Class " of 1846. A. E. Halbert.
Palo, Nov. 4th, 1875.' OKLEANS.
The history of Orleans is of settlement and growth, with no
striking events to render it peculiar.
It was not a town by itself until 1846. The first town
meeting was at the residence of Ira Wheeler. The first town
ship officers elected were:
Gilbert H. King, Supervisor; Seneca H. King, Clerk; Ira
Wheeler, Treasurer; Gilbert H. King, Jesse Wood, Guy Web
ster, Gerret Snetiker, Justices.
The first school was kept by a Miss Hewitt, in the chamber
ber of a log house.
The first settler was Guy Webster, in the southeast corner
ofthe town, in 1838; he came in March. He was followed in
May by Joseph Collins; and soon after by Erastus Higbee in
June; and by Asa Palmer and Lorenzo D. Bates in December.
Of these, Webster and Higbee are dead. The rest have moved
off, leaving Mr. Palmer alone in his glory.
In 1839 a few more came — Daniel Hoyt, who still resides
on the land he first purchased; and, by the way, he was the
first preacher in the town; Archibald Sangs'er and Chester
Schoffield, both of whom moved away; and Joseph Collins.
In Collins' family occurred the first death in the town — that
of his son Joseph, Jr., in the winter of 1839-40. Also in his fam
ily occurred the first wedding.' Two young fellows from Otisco,
Wm. G. Bradish and Hiram Baxter, being out hunting one
day, discovered Collins' charming daughters, as they were
picking blackberries. The consequence was that, some time
afterwards, Thomas Cornell, Esq., of Ionia was called to the
house of Collins, and by him four were made two — that is, if
man and wife are one.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 125
We cannot give the date of the entry of others, neither is it
important. Orleans was settled at a time when it was only to
go one step further.
We have as early settlers the names of Jesse Wood, Alexan
der Howe, Martin Eckart, Gilbert H. King, Wm. R. Kidd,
Wm. Bradley, Samuel Raby, and Joseph C. Green. All of
whom "are dead. As transient residents, we find Agnus Mc
Pherson, Isaac Harwood, Milo K. Cody, David Courter, Rob
ert W. Kidd, Dewitt C. Hurd, Chester Goss, and Marvin
Haight. Of those who came to stay, stayed, and at this writing
(1875) are living residents, were Edward B. Post, Richard
Hill, Richard Hale, Albert Dorr, Ira Wheeler, Samuel T.
Kidd, Warner Wheeler, Thomas Keep, W. Gould, James C.
Beach, Seneca H. King, Lewis J. Holcomb, Charles Chad-
wick, .Hiram Hall, Adam Bussard, and Joshua Hall. The
list above given are reported to have come from 1842 to 1846,
inclusive. A quiet farming town, it has gone on the even tenor of its
way; every one, as a general thing, minding his own business;
thus engaged, they have prospered. They have only modest
churches, and are not overstocked with them. The Seventh Day
Adventists have a church; also the Free Methodists, and the
Episcopal Methodists. There is a pretty Town Hall — erected
in 1871.
Such is, in brief, the history of this excellent town — no his
tory at all. It is a good place to live in, and the distance from
there to heaven is the same as from Ionia. Are we to suppose
that because Ionia has her spires pointing heavenward, the
people there worship God more devoutly than in Orleans?
Perhaps, too, Orleans will build her temples, and decorate her
altars. But at present she is content with rural simplicity.
That she does not associate ignorance with simplicity, her ten
school-houses attest. But still she has no history — long may7
it be before she has any.
Since writing the above, we have clipped from a paper the
following obituary notice:
"Died in Ronald, Dec. 23d, (1874,) Mrs. Lucretia Webster;
aged 84. '

126 MEMORIALS OF THE
"The deceased and her husband, the late Gen. Webster,
came to Ronald in 1838. They were the first settlers in the
town of Ronald (Orleans?). In their house many an early settler
found a hospitable welcome and a temporary home. Few women
were so universally esteemed as Mrs. Webster in the com
munity, where she had so long lived, and where she died.
She was, in the truest sense of the term, a Christian lady.
Attentive to the poor, kind to the sick, and warmly sympa
thizing with the afflicted; an excellent neighbor, a true friend
and counselor; she was an invaluable member of society, and
has left behind her a name that will not be forgotten."
i
That is but a part of what was said, but if that is true, and
she .was your mother, you are not a very bad man. Good
and wise women don't raise low families. *
OTISCO.
Otisco, then composed of towns 7 and 8 1ST., R. 8 W., was
organized by act of Legislature in 1838. The first town meet
ing was held at the house of Ambrose Spencer. There are no
records of the meeting in existence. From the memory of
individuals is gathered, that John L. Morse was elected super
visor; R. R. Cook, clerk; Geo. W. Dickinson and H. Horton,
justices. In 1836, five men— Daniel Horton, Nathaniel Horton, Geo.
W. Dickinson, Patrick Kelly, and Monson Seely, pushed
several miles beyond the bounds of civilization ; and, delighted
with the appearance of the region, shouted "Eureka!" As
neither of them had " college larnin," it is not certain where
they got so much Greek. They had been told it was Indian
for "Bunkum," but that was an imposition. It means, "I
have found it." So the historian was told by a college student,
who was airing himself on a vacation, and displaying his
knowledge before us — a lot of country rustics — and a college
student ought to know. He said that Demosthenes, king of
Ethiopia, suspected that he had been cheated by the" one who
made his crown, and that it was not pure gold. He carried it
to Hydrocephalus, his principal wise man, and desired him to

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 127
ascertain if the base metals had been mingled with the gold
of the kingly crown. Hydrocephalus long pondered, but
scratched his woolly pate in vain. The idea would not come.
But one day — weary, dirty and dejected — he thought to refresh
himself with a bath. He ordered his slaves to fill the trough.
and laid himself therein. He observed that as he descended
into the water the water arose. An idea now flashed into his
mind; he could solve the problem of the crown. Lie leaped
from the bath, and without waiting to put on even a figleaf, ran
through the streets of Babylon, shouting, "Eureka! Eureka!!
Not exactly so with our explorers. With them it meant
" Good, A, No. 1 ;" and their judgment has been respected
until the present day.
Of course they pre-empted land, put them up huts, cut down
trees, and made an opening. From their report, it was bruited
far and near that "Otisco Plains" was the promised land; and
the same year, Rufus R. Cook, Abdel Adgate, John L. Morse
and Amos H. Russell came on to see: — saw, and stayed. They,
in turn, told of Otisco; and the filling up was rapid. Soon
Otisco had no land to spare.
Of those coming in 1837 and '8, we are able to give the
names of Ambrose Spencer, Charles Broas, Volney Belding,
Thomas Stocking, William Russell, Edward Ingalls, John
Shaw, Tiberius Belding, Joseph Fisk, Charles H. Morse, John
L. Morse, Robert W. Davis, Loring Benedict, Alonzo Vaughn,
Paul Hewitt, James Moon, Moses Collins, Alvin Moe, Gilbert
Caswell. There was everything to invite the settler, and its settlement
was more rapid than of any other rural town in the Grand
River Valley. This was in a great measure owing to the fact
that it was little work comparatively to subdue the " Burr Oak
Plains." The original occupants " squatted " on their land, before it
was in the market. They, and the other squatters in Ionia
county, bande'd themselves together by an alliance, offensive
and defensive, against that abomination of the settler — the
speculator; and swore by the beard of Nebuchadnezzar to wreak
summary vengeance on the reprobate, who should dare bid on

128 MEMORIALS OF THE
their pre-emptions. One graceless fellow, not having the fear
of God or squatter before his eyes, did bid; and the last seen
of him, he was all heels; going from Ionia like a streak of
blue lightning; a yelling, infuriated score of squatters raising
a cloud of dust in his wake. He went back East, very much
disgusted with Ionia county.
The first marriages were those of Ambrose Spencer and.
Evelina Melvin, of Ionia, consummated in Ionia; and that of
Asa Palmer and Rosa McDonald, by N. Horton, Justice ofthe
Peace. The first birth, was a daughter to Amos Russell, (now Mrs.
Fales, of Kendall ville). The first male child born in Otisco,
was the since Senator A. B. Morse.
Otisco, did not long escape the notice of those energetic
scouts — the Methodists. While the Episcopalians hold the
fortresses, the Presbyterians and Congregationalists do battle
in the open field, and the Baptists valiantly7 defend the coasts
and rivers, the Methodists are scouting and skirmishing,
wherever tliere is a lurking enemy, or a single soul in danger.
The first who found a few souls in Otisco was the Rev. Mr.
Frieze, who was appointed by the Ohio Conference to patrol
from Grandville to Otisco, and manfully he did it. On foot,
he traversed the region. He felt that souls were of infinite
worth, and, willing to sacrifice self, he, unwearied and unflag
ging, gave himself to his mission. His first sermon was at
the house of Munson Seely. Think of it, ye dainty preachers
who have taken up the trade to get a living; think of these
devoted servants of Jesus, who preached Jesus in log-cabins
or under trees, unpaid, except by the still whisperings of a
voice within, which said, " It is my master's work; I will glory
in doing it." With portmanteau on his arm, as he is wending
his way from station to station, the forest will echo with his

"And shall I shrink to bear the cross?
He bore the cross for me."
Floundering at night in a swamp, or lost from the trail his
bouI still clings to the "promises;" and, wearied in body, he

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 120
meets those to whom he bears his message as the ambassador
of heaven to lost and sinful souls.
Those pioneer Methodists, like Frieze, were no silk stock
ing gentry, who, standing in cushioned pulpit, will gracefully
close their eyes and address a beautiful prayer to an admiring
congregation. No, like Jacob, they, wrestled with the Almighty,
and would not let him go. They had no quartette to whom
was delegated the singing. They sung because their burning
souls must pour themselves in song. The people listened, not
to be entertained by a finished sermon, but as sinners, wel
coming the message of salvation. Those were the times when
the preacher was heard; when they believed what was
preached, and when there was a welcome to those who brought
good-tidings to the sin-sick souls, longing for peace. Alas !
Methodism is not what it was; and hence its waning power.
The first to "pass over Jordan" in Otisco, were Clarissa Fisk
in June, 1841, and Eliza Stocking at about the same time.
In the cemetery at Cook's Corners, may be found a reminder
of how strong are the bonds holding together an aged couple,
who were married not to be divorced even by death. Of such
it is no uncommon thing, " that one in life they are one in
death." These are the monuments of " Dea. Diinmick Ellis,
aged 81," and his wife lies by7 his side, having survived three
weeks. Again, in the same cemetery, we find Noah and
Nancy Rich, dying the same year. Often, full often, is it seen
that it breaks the heart-strings when the companion of long,
long years, is taken away. Earth affords no anchorage. The
lone one languishes a day, a week, or a year, and rejoins the
lost one. The first persons the writer ever saw buried, were
an aged man and his wife, in one broad grave. Forty years
from that time, their son and his wife were buried in the same
manner. Perhaps there are few cemeteries that do not tell
the same story— an old couple who were one in soul, and all to
each other.
And since we are in Otisco cemetery, and thinking of
wedded life, we will look at the monuments of Alva and Jane
Moe, where one survived the other twenty-eight days. We are
. glad to record any evidences that people have souls.
, 9

130 MEMORIALS OF TOE
But wc will come back to these pioneers:
Daniel Horton, removed to Iowa, 1850, where he and his
little boy were drowned while crossing a river.
Nathanial Horton, left for Iowa at about the same time.
Geo. W. Dickinson, lives at Grand Rapids. •
Patrick Kelly, came with Dickinson as a hired man — a good-
hearted Irishman. He made a good farm for himself and a
good name. He now lives in Orleans.
SMYRNA.
Near the southern border of Otisco, on the Flat River, is the
pretty village of Smyrna.
Operations were commenced there in 1843, by Geo. W.
Dickinson, Calvin L. Smith and Gilbert Caswell; who built a
mill. Smyrna is now a village, that centers around its mills.
There are a saw mill, grist mill, sash, blind and door factory,
planing machine, furnace, five stores, etc., and 300 people.
There are two churches — Baptist and Congregational.
The following brief sketch of the history of the Baptist
church in Smyrna, is from N. G. Chase:
"Rev. Amos Chase, of Ada, preached occasionally, and then steadily to
the inhabitants of this place; and was honored by the Master; but Eld.
Underhill, of Vergennes, was ministering there at. the time of their organi
zation. The constituent members were only six: James W. Buttolf, Maria But-
tolf, Judson Buttolf, N. G. Chase, Lucinda Chase, Wm. R. Douglass.
Several others who were not prepared for membership, soon identified
themselves with the number. One-half of the constituent members remain;
the others are harvested.
Mr. Underhill became their first pastor. Rev. A. Waterbury soon suc
ceeded him for a short time, when Rev. John H. Rosco became pastor. The
pastorate has since been filled by Rev. Messrs. Charles Clutes, A. D. Wil
liams, F. Prescott, L. B. Pish, S. E. Faxon, A. Cornell, E. Wright, and
Henry King, the present clergyman.
The labors of these ministers were crowned with success in the baptism of
many on a profession of faith; and, other places becoming too strait or una
vailable, the people* arose in the might of an unseen Arm, and built a neat
little church edifice in 1868. Present membership, 63."
The Congregationalist Church in Smyrna was organized March 21st, 1868,
* Mr. Chase's modesty left out the fact that he himself did one-half of it.
The two acts are just characteristic.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 131
with seven members: George C. Spencer and wile, Oscar F. Mann and
wife, Abijah Rich, Mrs. D. B. Hippough and Mrs. Jerome Stoughton.
cook's corners.
This is a snug little villags on the plain, with its tavern and
its store. It has long been noted for its hotel, where the
young and the gay have often met, and "forgot to go home
till morning." There Cook, the genial landlord, has spread
the bountiful board, and gathered the beautiful dollars. We
must sadly- state that since the above lines were written, Cook
has bsen gathered to his fathers, and there seems to be some
thing missing at the " Corners."
" There is a reaper, his name is Death,
And he has a sickle keen."
KIDDVILLE.
This little village is also in Otisco. It has its history, its
present reality, and its expectations. Here (historically) Dick
inson built the first saw-mill in the town. Here (present fact)
they have a railroad station, with a fine depot ; and they have
mills, stores, etc.; and here (prospectively) a snug village must
be. The principal proprietor is James M. Kidd, of Ionia.
BELDING.
This village, towards the northeast corner of the. town, is
likely to be the " city;" for here they have capital, determina
tion and pluck, and, withal, a grand water-power.
In early times — the date lost in antiquity — Lucius Pattison
made a beginning at what is now Belding; dammed the river,
dug a race, and put up a saw-mill. The place did not amount
to much until June, 1871, when a company-, composed of Da
vid E. Willson, Win. A. Luther and Robert M. Willson, pur
chased the water and twenty acres of land of Wm. A. Knott.
The only improvement was a grist-mill, which they did not
purchase. They paid $ip,750.
They commenced operations immediately; built a saw-mill.
Af*the same time they purchased a one-fourth interest in 80
acres of land adjoining, paying $2,000. In company with
Milo M., Hiram H. and Alva N. Belding, they platted the

132 MEMORIALS OF THE
most of the 80 acres. The first year they built the saw-m in
capacity 50,000 per day. A sash, door and blind factory is
owned, by Fargo & Gooding.
The head of water is twelve feet— not now using but eight
feet. The power is not one-third used.
The village has now 400 inhabitants, with the usual busi
ness of a country village, in addition to what rests on the
water-power. A branch railroad comes there. The company
own ninety-five acres of land across the river, which they are
intending fo plat. There is a good graded school, with two
teachers; two churches—the Christian and Baptist.
The Christian Church was organized in 1844. The pioneer members were
Geo. A. Phillips and wife, Mrs. Boynton, Mrs. Stokes, Erastus Jenks and
wife, Richard Ellis and wife; Alva Thompson, wife son and daughter. The
next year the Rev. Wilson Mosher became its pastor, and continued in that
relation until his death in 1 873. They have held their meetings in school-
houses and halls, but propose soon to build a church at Belding. Present
pastor, David E. Miller. Number 35.
KEENE.
The following account of the "settlement" of Keene was
furnished the publishers of the " Ionia County Directory," by
a well posted citizen of the town. The author of this book,
on visiting the town, ascertained that, with a few minor cor
rections, the report was correct, and that but little more could
be gleaned. With his thanks to Mr. Dillenback, we gladly
avail ourselves of the results of his inquiries.
Keene is inhabited by a "peculiar" people; whether
"sanctified and set apart" is not known, but this much is
certain: the town is not like other towns. In other towns
there is a mixture of saints and sinners; farmers, mechanics,
merchants, professionals, etc., but here they are all of one
sort — farmers. It is not certain that they are not as religious
as the people of neighboring towns, but as yet they have
neither priest nor church of any kind. It may be that some
jovial sons of Bacchus may there be resident, but this n»ich
is true— the town has neither tavern nor grogshop. A low
whisky-hole was once set up, but it died of delirium tremens
or starvation, and no sneaking scalawag has ventured on an-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 133
other. The town has never had a store or mill. The people,
with the exception of one blacksmith and a rake-maker, are
all farmers The reason of this seems to be, it is encom
passed with villages on its borders. On the east, at no great
distance, is the city of Ionia. Just on its southern border,
across the river, is the village of Saranac, and on the north,
just on the line, is the village of Smyrna. In these are the
churches where the Keeneites worship. They7 have eight
chances to find their own order in Saranac ; three in Smyrna, and
still more in Ionia. There they go, and having helped build
and sustain these, they are not so green as to build churches
in the town; having no need of them. They can go to mill
at either ofthe aforementioned places; and also they can there
find a mechanic, and can buy their tobacco, and the thousand
and one things civilized desire may call for ; and there, too
(if they have the pass-word), they can get their whisky. So
we will not call the Keeneites a forlorn and forsaken people.
If you look at their farms and houses; contemplate their
" lowing herds," their " bleating flocks," and their " grunting
swine," and then take a look at the well-fed owners, quietly-
sitting before their doors, smoking the pipe of peace and in
dependence, you will be disposed to envy them their peaceful
lot. Far from all " middle-men," and other intermeddling
characters — sueh as lawyers, ministers, doctors, shoemakers,
and the like — happy, thrice happy, Keene.
" No base mechanic enters here;
No intermeddling lawyer near,
To spoil our heartfelt joys."
Keene was out in the woods, out of the pale, of civilization,
until late in the fall of 1837, when two young men from Mon
roe county, N. "Y ., discovered it, took a liking, built a man
sion, 10x16, and went to chopping. Their names were Orran
Owen, and Charles Hickox. Edward Butterfield and Cyrus
Rose discovered their tracks and followed. They commenced
work February, 1838. Butterfield soon brought in his family,
and is recognized as the first settler. Rose moved in the next
December.

134 MEMORIALS OF THE
In 1838 were added, Philip Monk and his son, James Monk,
Canadians; Morton Reynolds, also from Canada; John Follett;
John Conner, from Oakland county; James Chrysler (Cana
dian); Samuel Wells, from St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and
and Dexter Cutter. Of these, Mr. Butterfield died in 1846,
Mr. Hickox in 1870 ; Mr. Conner was killed by the falling of
a tree, in 1852.
In 1839, Philip Monk, James Baird and Elijah Sprague
were added to the settlers; David and Stephen Shaul; also
Jennison Henry and Simon Heath, John L. Covert, Elijah
Sprague and family; Wm. Lott, Thomas Beattie, with Nathan
iel, his son, and his son-in-law, Joseph Brown; Prindle Hub-
bel and Robert Taylor. There may be error in the date of the
advent of some of these:
" Oblivion comes careering on,
In the still fresh track of time."
Wm. Lott kept the first, the last, the only shop for the
dissemination of poor whisky to thirsty, besotted, brutish men,
who forget why they are not swine.
Thomas Beattie came not as an adventurer, to make a home
for himself; he was an old man, who came with his son, and
long since has gone to his rest.
Hubbell died where he had lived, about 1855.
Mr. Brown was killed by the running away of his oxen.
Philip Monk, came an old man. He died about 1860.
Charles Hickox was never a permanent resident. Died at
Greenville, 1873.
Jennison Henry was killed in '51, by a falling tree.
Of those mentioned, several eventually found themselves in
Saranac or Boston ; of these were James Baird, Cyrus Rose,
Samuel Wells, James Monk, John Follett, James Crysler.
John L. Covert moved to Vergennes, where he still lives.
Simon Heath left Keene for Ionia, where he died about
1857. The brothers Shaul, went back to Canada.
Mr. Baird died in '64, and Mr. Sprague, in '63; Mr. Monk
in '63.
Robert Taylor is long since dead.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 135
It will hence be seen that but few of the original settlers
are in the town of Keene, or have laid their bones in her soil.
We must go back a little on the. track of time and record
the event of 1838; when, on the ever memorable May 17th,
the glad parents — Morton and Alvira Reynolds — welcomed the
first baby, their baby, to the town of Keene. The few resi
dents shouted the news from hut to shanty. " They've a baby
at Reynolds'!" Nothing was thought of but Reynolds' baby.
"Have you seen the b^by?" The house was besieged by the
young and old, each anxious for a peep at the dear little new
one. Old Father Monk gave it his blessing; to which Mrs.
Butterfield added a cap, and Owen a cradle. True, this ac
count of their doings is all apocryphal ; the record and tradi
tion merely showing that a baby was born. The rest is what
is supposed to have been done; the historian not being willing
to believe they were a lumpish set of humans, without human
souls. They had souls, and therefore they welcomed the
'L baby " and jubilated the event; and now and henceforth that
jubilation is history.
The first death in the town, was that of Mary, the wife of
Robert Rose.
The pioneer wedding occurred in 1840, when Alvin Butter
field led to the altar — no, Esq. Dexter's — Miss Plena Phipps.
Now we do wish that those who make history, would write it.
Now here is all we know of that great event — the names and
the. date. It is one of the four great events of life — the most
important of all. To be born, married, divorced, and die, are
the events in a life history. The first and last are inevitable
to all. The second and third how few escape; or, driven by
their strong impulsions, attempt to avoid?
Did you ever attend a primitive wedding? We cannot
describe this one, for we have already told all we know ; they
vxre married. But we can describe a backwoods wedding.
A bushel of doughnuts is fried,wild turkeys or ducks are cooked,
blackberry pies baked, and a jug of " be joyful" brought from
afar. All, for a circuit of miles, are notified, and in due time
appear at the log house. Bascom, with his wife and children
have come five miles on an ox sled. Simpson has come on his

136 MEMORIALS OF THE
horse, with his wife behind him. Elnathan has come on foot,
dressed in his best, leading his intended, the fair Roxana, by
the hand, or gallantly carrying her on his back across the
intervening streams. Obadiah, with no girl, is there alone.
For the style of marrying, see " Lyons."
Then comes the feasting, the dancing under the trees, the
kissing of the bride, with the freely expressed wishes of the
guests — prominent among which is the hope that the happy
pair will not long be alone. Hope has given wings to imagi
nation, and visions of sons and daughters appear — unfashion
able articles now-a-days, unless with the " foreign element."
But recollect, we are speaking of the days of primitive sim
plicity, before fashion came round. The few maidens present
(for they are a scarce article in the woods) are looked at fondly
by the bashful swains; and, with averted eyes, seem to think
of nothing but the new-made bride. Sly minxes they are;
they all want Obadiah, but he does not know it. He feels
that he is the gawkiest young man of the whole, and is aw
fully jealous of Peter.
But the time comes when they all .must go. Esq. Smith
tells Dan and Roxana they can ride with him; he has no
one but his wife. They thank him, and say they can go on
foot. The Esq. did it just to test them. lie recollected that
he was young once; and how easy it was then to walk, espe
cially on a moonlight evening.
The new couple go hand in hand to the cabin prepared ;
and, with bright hopes for the future, begin life together. The
bride has a kettle, two chairs and a table for furniture, and her
young heart is pleased with these. Bravely they- struggle to
make for themselves a fortune and a home. Where stood their
little log house, you may now see the house that tells of taste
and wealth; and there the little grand-children come at Christ
mas, to hear grandpa tell his bear stories, and to eat of grand
ma's pies and cakes.
Keene was a part of Otisco until 1S42. Its limits have
since twice been changed. The name was given by E. Butter
field, from his native town in New Hampshire — a practice of
which the historian does not approve.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 137
The first election was held at the house of Nathaniel Beat-
tie, on Monday, April 4th, 1842, at which thirty-nine votes
were cast; and the following persons received the honors of
the highest offices:
Asaph C. Smith, Supervisor; Cy7renus Day, Clerk; Samuel
Wells, Treasurer; John L. Covert, Joseph W. Sprague, Aaron
Hardenbnrg, Zacheus H. Brewer, Justices.
A post-office was established in 1845; A. C. Smith, P. M.
Miss Ruth Hunt was the first school teacher — the date and
place not reported. The first school house was built in 1842,
where the Potter school-house now stands.
The fine bridge across the Flat River was built in 1869.
The first settlers squatted on lands that were a reservation,
and had never been in market. They joined in the general
conspiracy against the " speculator " — -a movement which made
it unpleasant for any- one to bid against a pre-emptor.
The inhabitants of Keene have generally got rich by attend
ing to their own business. They have looked well to their
schools, and have furnished little business for the lawyer.
" Vive la simplicite rurale! "
ORANGE.
This town has given little to record, except its settlement
and organization. Its independent existence commenced in
1845, when it was set off from Portland and Berlin. The
first town meeting was at the house of Dean W. Tyler. At
its organization the principal officers were:
Alexander K. Hall, Supervisor; John Brown, Clerk; Myron
J. King, Treasurer; Adam A. Lewis, Dean M. Tyler, Alexan
der Dalziel, Justices.
The settlement dates from 1836; and .those who have the
honor of being the first settlers, are Seely Arms and Benjamin
Brand. Mr. Brand built a house — the first in town — entirely
of wood and bark, without a nail.
In 1837 Thomas Marsh was added; and in 1838, Ira F.
Levalley, Dean M. Tyler, his sons, Dean and Isaac, and his son-
in-law, John Brown, George Jourdon, and Samuel Grinnells.
, In 1839 came in David Kenny, with five grown-up sons,
three of whom the next y-ear brought on wives.

138 MEMORIALS OF THE
For 1842, we find S. W. Badger; and for 1843, James
Humphreys. The settlement at first was slow, as some other towns had
the reputation of being more desirable land, and so Orange
was neglected until the first feverish rush of emigration and
speculation was over. Calm, sober, second thought, in after
years, settled it steadily, and it was found that Orange had as
good land as Otisco or North Plains. The fact was made patent
in the settlement of the Grand River Valley, that a man,
accustomed to Eastern lands, was no judge of land in Michi
gan. The first selected lands were often the poorest in the
region. Not a few of the earliest settlers have told the writer
that their selections were the very poorest they could have
made. And, let me say, that the best land is still slighted.
One good citizen of Orange complained to the writer that
" great damage was done to the town by the statement in the
directory," that the town had a considerable amount of marsh
land. Now one acre of that despised " marsh" is worth the
best three acres of upland in the town. If you don't believe
it, drain and clear one of those swamps, and then grow fat and
rich on the surprising fertility of it. Afraid of the work, are
yrou? It is not so much work as to subdue the same value of
dry land. Give a man of spunk a good marsh, and in after
years you will see his jolly7 cheeks fairly hanging down with
fatness, and his old leather pocketbook will be bursting with
greenbacks. Bankers will touch their hats to him, and his
townsmen will elect him " supervisor."
My farm shall have just 10 acres of upland on it, the rest
shall be frog pond. People put their thumbs on their noses
and wagged their little fingers, when Governor Crapo selected
for himself 1,000 acres of frog pond for his farm. The same
persons, passing by few years later, could only gape in blank
astonishment, when seeing that on that 1,000 acres there was
hardly room to stack his crops. So, if you have a mud marsh
on your farm, don't feel insulted if anybody notices it, but
blandly intimate that you are going to drain it after harvest.
Benjamin Brand was a worthy Dutchman, quietly pursuing
the even tenor of his way. He recently died.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 130
Seely Arms was a respectable, but not prominent man. He
resided in Orange until his death in 1865.
Thomas Marsh, in a good old age, and enjoying a compe
tence, is where he did battle with the forest, or harmlessly
chased the deer.
Dean M. Tyler's course in Orange was short. He was the
man looked up to, the few years he stayed. He was killed by
a falling tree, in 1848.
Is it not a little surprising that so many of the pioneers
were killed by falling trees? Men do not now get killed by
them in Michigan. No, it is not surprising. They came from
the open country, and knew not the dangers of woodland life.
There is no safety or caution which is not the price of death.
A few have to be killed to teach carpenters and masons to build
their stagings. Once in a while a man has to be torn limb
from limb, to show men that there is danger in revolving shafts
or driving belts. Once in a while a man has to be cut in two
to teach people to have their eyes open, and their thoughts
about them, when around one of those death-dealing circular
saws. Now and then one must be blown up or shot, to teach
people that gunpowder is an article that will bear watching. But
there is one danger that fails to give its note of warning, al
though it has been instructively dealing in death — the danger
in coupling cars. Deaths uncounted have failed to teach the
lesson they intended. I ask no patent for the invention ; but
no more of those accidents would occur if the railroad was
fined $100,000 for every such accident. Fear would inspire
the proper caution ; and a man might couple cars all his life,
and die of old age. But why this preaching, and what is its
lesson? Leam where is the danger; habitually fear that dan
ger, and you are safe. You will not be killed by a falling tree;
you will not cut your foot, and you will not be blaspheming
by talking of " inscrutable providences."
Of Tyler's sons, one — Dean — soon moved to other j>art&;
the other — Isaac — still graces Orange by his presence, and long
may he wave !
John Brown was a leading man of fine business capacity;
manly, pious, and honorable; had a good deal to do with town

140 MEMORIALS OF THE
affairs, for the people felt their interests were safest in the
charge of men who knew the distinction between right and
wrong, and who also were possessed of that too rare article — a
conscience. He died in 1860.
George Jourdon, his hard work over, now lives in Port
land; rich enough, if he does but know it, and as happy as
good dinners and a jolly soul can make him. He can spin
yarns about old times, and shake his fat at the remembrance.
When you see him, just ask him to tell some of his hunting
stories; especially, about his chasing a bear in the night, with
nothing on but his shirt — tearing through brush and over logs.
until shirt was gone, still chasing bruin, until the varmint was
treed and shot; and you will laugh, too. The fact is, Jourdon
was educated in the Calvinistic faith, and believed in "perse
verance." David Kenny was killed in a few years by a tree. One of
his sons soon died; the others moved away-. A very respecta
ble, family.
The venerable Elder Chatfield was the first preacher in
Orange. This pioneer of the Gospel in Ionia county, super
annuated, died at Portland.
Like most quiet, orderly country towns, Orange has but lit
tle history. No startling circumstances have horrified the
community; and the town being born, has quietly, peacefully
grown to maturity. Things have gone on in the regular
channel. They have courted and married; and children have
been born to them. They have changed a savage wild into
fields, waving with grain; have built and adorned their beauti
ful homes, until Orange is a fine rural town. And yet? it has
no history but a " bear story." Just as though the town it
self was not an engraved history, of which each stroke of the
. ax was a letter. But a history, written on the earth is one thing
— history in a book is quite another. The book takes no note
of the everyday events, when these everyday events are all
that is truly real. CAMPBELL.
This wealthy, beautiful and excellent town, on account of
the lateness of its settlement, has no pioneer history, except

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 141
what centers around two brothers — Irishmen— after whom the
town was named. These were Martin and Jeremiah Camp
bell, who, on Christmas day, 1840, took possession of their
land; where they lived for seven years before they had a
neighbor. Jeremiah Campbell was a bachelor, and has always
remained such. Martin had a wife and family.
The Campbell's did not, like most pioneers, come in poor.
Jeremiah brought in fourteen head of cattle and some of " the
root of all evil." He built him a shanty ; browsed his cattlo
during the winter. How much his brother brought is not
known. Martin, after some years, went off to California, leav
ing Jeremiah, with a maiden sister, on the place where he first
began his almost hermit life in the wilderness. There he
lives. The fact that he is the patriarch of the town ; that it
bears his name, that he was its first Justice of the Peace, have
not puffed him up with pride, or made . him feel any bigger
than when he first took up his residence in the woods. He
apparently wears the same shirt he did then, smokes the same
pipe, has the same simple furniture, is true to his old religion,
and, in old age, is the same Jeremiah; a center of interest; an
interesting fossil— a man of his own sort. On coming in he
bought only eighty acres of land. He had many adventures
while-hunting his cattle; he has sat up all night, listening to
the musical concerts of the wolves; was once scared nearly to
death by a panther— which proved to be a screech-owl. He
has been twice burned out, and now lives in a snug little house,
where he can indulge his simple tastes; and, on the down hill
side of life, is happy and respected. He has scorned to be any
thing but Jerry. Go and see him, shake the hand of an hon
est man, and think whether the people did right when they
gave the town his name.
It was not until 1848 that other settlers moved into Camp-
hell ; then came four brothers — Amasa, Calvin, Charles and
Marcus Nash ; Marvill Church, Wm. Mercery Alexander H.
Bushnell, Joseph S. Whitney, Thomas Q.Frost, Henry Briggs
and Alvin Briggs.
The town was set off from Boston, and organized in 1849;
the first meeting was at the house of Marvill Church.

142 MEMORIALS OF THE
First town officers : Supervisor, Wm. Mercer; Clerk, A.
H. Bushnell; Justices, Jeremiah Campbell, Alvin Briggs,
Martin Campbell, Amasa Nash.
The number of voters was 14, nearly all of whom were
placed in office, and some had a plurality.
In religion, it must be admitted, the inhabitants are not
united; no less than five church organizations existing in that
rural town, viz: Wesleyan Methodists, Episcopal Meth
odists, Dunkards, Christians and Presbyterians. The Dunk-
ards are the only society that has a church building; a small
one, near the south line of the town.
With little to speak of as matters of history, the town has
much of which it may well pride itself — the results of quiet in
dustry. Later in settlement than any other town in the county,
it presents to-day as few evidences of the poverty and necessi
ties of early times as the older settled towns. The first houses
have mostly disappeared, and the inhabitants of Campbelltown
(let that be the last time it is called Campbelltown — call it
Campbell) do not feel that they are in a new country.
SEBEWA.
It is refreshing to come to a town the pioneers of which had
the good taste to give it a musical and poetic name, instead of
condemning it to be known by some uncouth sound, which
happened to be the name of some man— perhaps a great man,
perhaps a small one— ambitions that his town shall from him
be called "Smithville" or " Jonesburg." Again, who can ap
prove of that lack of self-respect that gives us many small
places named after great ones?
I reverently take off my hat to the pioneers of Sebewa.
They co.uld appreciate the music of the beautiful Indian word,
by which they designate a small stream-; and, appreciating it,
applied it to their embryo town, and also to their principal
stream, though they improperly call it " Sebewa Creek," when
it should be "The Sebewa."
Sebewa was a part of Berlin from the time of its organi
zation until 1845. Its first election was held at the house of
Jacob Showerman, March 19th.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 143
No record of the organization of the town is in existence,
except a copy of the act of the Legislature authorizing the or
ganization of the town, directing that the first meeting shall
be at the house of Jacob Showerman (without date.) Under
that is a list of accounts, audited in October. From that list
and the memory of some of the old residents, we' make out
that Benjamin D. Weld was Supervisor; Anson W. Halbert,
Clerk; Edmund Sanborn, Geo. W. Dickinson, Justices.
The first proper record is of the 2d y7ear— 1846.
It is a matter of tradition in the town that sixteen voters
were at the first election. From the records of the 1st and 2d
years we gather the names:
Joseph Munn, Paul Steel, Benj. D. Weld, Edward Sanborn,
A. W. Halbert, John C. Smith, Wm. Hogle, John M. Tirrill,
Jacob Showerman, Orrin Merchant, Richard Fleetham, Moses
Hogle, Walter Harmon, Eleazer Brown, John Maxim, G. W.
Dickinson, Elkanah Drake, Rufus Goddard, John Waddell.
Some of these were transient, and have passed from mem
ory as well as from the town.
The antiquity of Sebewa dates back to 1836, when a man
by the name of Jones settled on Sec. 1. But scanty particu
lars can be gleaned, as he stayed but a short time, when he sold
out to Mr. Hogle and disappeared. This much is known : he'
and his wife came in on foot, bringing all their worldly goods
in their packs. Perhaps they found it lonesome with nobody
but wolves and bears for company, and, discouraged, sold out
to the first land-looker who would give them the means to get
away. We hope he is now a village squire somewhere else,
looked up to and venerated; but among the numerous family
of Jones, it is useless to inquire for the Jones, the pioneer of
Sebewa. John Tirrill, Charles W. Ingalls, and John Brown (not the
John Brown " whose soul is marching on,") are accredited
as being the first permanent settlers, moving in in 1838. They
were three Vermont Yankees. Some others had located their
lands before, but did not immediately possess them.
In the fall of '39 Jacob Showerman moved in with his

144 MEMORIALS OF THE
family. In '40 were added Stephen Pilkinton, Moses and.
William Hogle, and John Smith. In '41 John Waddell and
Benj. D. Weld, and in 1844 Rufus Goddard: For some y-ears
the settlement was slow. Heavy timber may be the reason.
Sebewa, when first settled was merely on the outskirts of civil
ization — about 17 miles off — that distance from Portland. Yet,
though not called on to do as the earlier settlers of Ionia
county did, they still can tell their stories of the early times,
when going to mill was an event; the nearest was at Port
land, and they had no roads. To get their grinding done,
the neighborhood would club together, and generally
send David Goddard, then a youth of fifteen, with an
ox team, and ten bushels (a full load). He would start early,
with their benedictions, and at ten o'clock at night be at the
mill. There his grist would be ground in the night. Mean
while, he would turn out his team, eat his supper, wrap
himself in his blanket, and sleep until morning; then, re-har
nessing Buck and Brindle, he would wend his weary way
homeward. Some miles from home he would be met by a
neighbor, with a lantern; and, on his arrival, be greeted as a
hero and a benefactor. The women, seeing there was a prospect
of biscuits, would greet him with a "God bless you, David!"
The boys would pat and praise the oxen, who had so oxfully
performed the pilgrimage, and so cheerfully drawn the load.
All were happy when David got back from mill.
Thus began David's popularity in Sebewa — a popularity
which the man retains. All swear by David now — think he is
the best fellow living — " a good deal more honest than there is
any use in being." They make him supervisor, postmaster, and
a general factotum ; never watching him, for they know it is all
right if David has the managing.. A good name is a good
thing; but sometimes it is rather an expensive luxury.
Little can be recorded of this excellent agricultural town.
Its history is the development of fine farms.
It has four church organizations. Presbyterian, Baptist,
Deciples, and Wesleyan Methodist.
The Presbyterian church was organized in 1865, by Rev. Lewis Mills. Its
original members were :

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 145
D. W. Goddard, Robert Allen and wife, Hannah Goddard, Mary Cos, E.
B. Buckman and wife, Baij. Bartlett and wife.
They have a small church edifice, which was dedicated February, 1866.
Present membership, about twenty. No settled pastor.
The Baptist church was organized April 3d, 1858. Original members:
Josias 0. Clark and wife, Samuel Fr?ehouse, Carlos Pierce and wife,
Stephen Rider and wife, Addison Rice and wife, John Jackson and wife,
C'yril Carpenter and wife, Elkanah Carpenter and wife, Samuel Carpenter (a
preacher), Mary Betts, Margaret R. Griffin.
The first pastor was Elder Samuel B. Towne.
Church dedicated in 1872. *
Present member /hip about S2venty-five.
Ofthe other religions societies we have no information.
A willow tree of remarkable growth may be seen in front of
Mr. Goddard's house. As a boy, he stuck the stick in the
ground. It is now more than ten feet in circumference.
Sebewa is a great town for wheat.
ODESSA.
This town was set off from Berlin in 1846. The first town
meeting of thirteen voters was held at the house of Myron
Tapper, in April of that year. There were seventeen offices
to fill, and thirteen men to fill them. The names that appear
on the records, with the number of offices given to each, are
given below:
Myron Tupper, 1; John D. White, 1; Reuben Haight, 2;
Geo. E. Kibby, 2; Asa Houghton, 2; Esteven Russell, 2;
Hiram S. Lee, 1; Benj. F. Tupper,l; Wellington Russell, 1;
James A. Galloway, 2; Daniel Hetor, 1.
Poor Joseph Hetor went home that night a private citizen.
First town officers: Myron Tupper, Supervisor; Esteven
Russell, Clerk; John D. White, Treasurer; Hiram S. Lee,
Reuben Haight, Benj. F. Tupper, George E. Kibby, Justices.
Odessa was an unbroken wild until 1839, when Myron Tup
per, accompanied by Harvey Kibby, came on, chopped five
acres, and planted some corn and potatoes. In the fall, Tupper
brought his family. Next came Wellington Russell, the same
year. Tupper, Kibby and Russell shantied together the first
winter. Russell and Tupper still (1876) live on the land they
first occupied. Kibby, disregarding the divine command, let
10

146 MEMORIALS OF THE
his name run out when he died— an awful warning to all old
bachelors. It does seem strange, when a wife may be had for
the asking, that so many will shiver alone, darn their own stock
ings; live with no little fond arms about their neck; die, and
g0 to  the grave, where they will be forgotten. Are. you
not ashamed of yourself, you undignified old bach., when you
look at your neighbor, the family man? See him, with two
little ones on each knee; six more clinging on his chair, be
sides the one that is treading on the kitten's tail, and that one
with his hand in the sugar-bowl! Perhaps it is all because
Sally Ann Sago said she "would rather be excused." You
unregenerate, white-livered, faint-hearted, soft-headed non
compos! Give up because one particular fish did not bite
your hook! Live a despised, slovenly, undignified old bach.,
just because one girl said no! A dozen others were peeping
sly at you, longing for a chance to say " yes;" each one of
them worth two of that red-headed vixen. Fie, fie! "Faint
heart," et cetera.
The history of Odessa moves slow, when the historian stops
to moralize; but is it not the office of the historian to be the
Mentor of his own and future ages? Again, the advantages
of history lie not in the simple facts chronicled there, but in
the lessons drawn therefrom. It is the historian's province to
see what these lessons are, and by a wise and philosophical
use of them, be the great teacher of the world. No more will
I apologize for digressions. Henceforth I will feel the true
dignity of my position.
Coming back to the tame recording of events: next came
Hiram Lee, who, at the present writing, lives in Keene; hav
ing achieved a fortune by hard labor and energy. Then,
Benjamiu Russell, whose life's labor, well done, was ended in
1870. Benjamin R. Tupper came in 1840, and is still resi
dent. As those who came in 1S42, or thereabouts, may be' men
tioned, Esteven Russell, John D. Hite, Reuben Haight, Geo.
E. Kelly, James N. Galloway, Asa Houghton, Daniel and
Joseph Hetor.
The town (one ofthe best) has but little history. There was

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 147'
the usual up-hill work, incident to hewing out homes in the
heavy forest; a moderate stock of adventures with the deni
zens of the woods. But it was only twelve miles from civil
ized settlements, mills, physicians, and the other requisites of
civilization. Lonely they might be, but half a day would
carry them where white folks lived, and where they could get
their corn ground, buy tobacco, whisky or calico; they had
only to plod right on, cut down tree after tree, subdue field
after field, and the Odessa of to-day was the result. While
there has been little in particular to record, the aggregate of
the whole is a firm, well-cultured town; built up and developed
insensibly. We will still hope that no special historic event
shall intrude itself into the regions of rural simplicity-. Leave
the big schemes and the great crimes to the cities. Go there
yourself, when you must have a bust ; there do your drinking, an d
there commit all y7our irregularities. Come home to Odessa
sober; there sow your wheat; there train your children, and
there sleep in honor when your life-work is done; and be sure
that affection may, with truth, inscribe on your humble monu
ment, something that may read like —

Or:

A true-hearted father; a citizen good;
His life labor done, is resting him here.

She guided her children by wisdom and love;
And has now set a light in the window above.

But if you respect the good town of Odessa, don't oblige
the people to strain conscience when they place such an epi
taph over you.
The first child born in Odessa (and she, not liking the wild-
woods, went to Woodland, Barry county, to be born) was
Rosetta, daughter of Myron Tupper. She died in. 1870, the
wife of Esteven Russell.
The first death was that of a daughter of Hiram Lee. An
other daughter of Lee was accidentally shot by her father.
Religiously, Odessa has not made much, of a show. The
Free- Will Baptists first got a footing, and the first man who
preached there was Riley Hess, one of those devoted pioneers

148 MEMORIALS OF THE
who sought the stray lambs in the wilderness. He has closed
his earthly labors; having served the first generation in the
Valley, by his holy example illustrating the religion he pro
fessed and inculcated, he rests now. Greater men have suc
ceeded; but who has left behind him more of the atmosphere
of holiness than the humble Hess?
For a series of years our friend, Myron Tupper, who seems
to have been the factotum of the town, was their preacher.
He cannot be accused of making merchandise of the gospel;
for he preached for nothing and boarded himself for many long
years. Tupper was a zealous evangelist; preaching in this and
other towns; riding thirty or forty miles on a Sunday, and
preaching two or three times. Think of that, ye kid-gloved,
smooth-spoken, self-serving preachers, who temper the gospel
to the tastes of a fashionable congregation, and preach for
eclat and a big salary. Tupper never received $50 a year;
worked on his farm for a living, and gave the Sabbath and his
unwearied labors to his fellow men and to God. Tupper, I
like you, and would be glad to hear y7ou preach. But I slightly
fear I should merit the sarcasm of the Methodist class-leader,
who, in answer to the man who in class-meeting thanked God
for a free religion, stating that for the ten years he had been a
Methodist it had cost him but 25 cents, devoutly raised his
eyes, and said, "God have pity on your poor, stingy soul!"
The Free-will Baptists kept up an organization for some dozen years. Hess
was their first preacher, and afterwards Tupper. . It has languished and died
out. The United Brethren have lately secured a standing. The original Class
was organized in 1866, and consisted of Daniel Mower and Wife, Nicholas
Arney; Isaac Maureyand wife: C. E. Bretz; Thomas Cooley and wife, and
P. A. Wacks.
Then- present (1876) membership is about forty-five. They depend on
circuit preachers.
In 1875, they built a house of worship, 45 by 50 feet— cost $3,000. Well
done, Brethren!
All the religion there has ever been in the town, has been of
that humble, quiet sort, which consists in the worship of God,
and in the practice of the Christian virtues. They have not
brought in the fashionable sort, fbr the Free- Will Baptist or the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 149
Brother does not take stock in aristocratic piety; and does not
require a plush-covered cushion on w-hioh to kneel to say his
prayers. No ! no ! no ! Like their Master, they can sit with
publicans and sinners, and kneel by the side of the humblest,
in worship of the Eternal. Under the tree or in the school
house, they can preach the simple religion of Jesus; and lov
ingly invite all who have souls to join with them in spiritual
communion. If you have a better religion than that, please
display it. You did not get it from Jesus of Nazareth.
An adventure of Mr. Crapo is an episode in the history of
Odessa, and is of no small interest. In 1868, in company
with Samuel F. Alderman, he was out in Montcalm county,
land-looking, when he should have been at home, leaving
wild-wood ranging to the young. He had the misfortune to
split his foot, so that it was im|)ossible for him to proceed or
return. They were forty miles from any7 settlement. The
next day Alderman started to find a lumber camp, which he
believed was sixteen miles south, and where he hoped to get
help. He got lost on the way, and did not return for six days.
He (Alderman), suffered everything but death; was badly-
frozen, starved and faint; yet his grit carried him through,
and he found Comstock's lumber camp. From the camp
eleven men came without delay to the rescue of Crapo.
In the meantime Crapo, believing Alderman had perished,
himself prepared to die. His provisions were nearly exhaust
ed. What little he had he husbanded to protract life, for how
ever certain death is, we ask a day more. He cut his name on
his gun-stock, that, if found when dead, he might be identified;
and languishing, waited his final hour. But the loud cheer
of Comstock's men roused him from his dream of death to
the consciousness of life and safety. They were the finest
looking lot of men he ever saw ; each one a perfect Apollo.
They carried him on a litter sixteen miles to their camp,
where his wants were attended to; and he lives to tell the
story. Two lessons may be learned from this adventure of Crapo:
1st. Old men should stay at home, or keep in the settle
ments.

150 MEMORIALS OF THE
2nd. If you must split your foot, do it about home, for
forty miles in the wilderness such a thing endangers life.
And 3d. Tliere is a very7 strong popular prejudice against
a " cloven foot." DANBY.
The early history of this town is identified with that of the
settlement, Avhich centered at Portland. Its own political his
tory commenced in 1845. Until that time it had been a part
of Portland.
The town held its first meeting at the house of Chancellor
Barringer, April 7th, 1845 ; 26 voters present. No poll list is
in existence, but the following names are found on the records
of 1845:
Abijah F. Schoff, Oscar P. Schoff, Elkanah Drake, John
Campton, James Burns, Matthew Davenport, Wm. Cronkrite,
Henry Jones, Lorenzo Sears, Charles G. Brooks, Alpha David,
Nathan Wyman, Geo. S. David, John D. Brown, Geo. A. Kil
bourne, Ashur Kilbourne, Chester Davenport, Elias Bailey,
Reuben Hopkins, Benj. Horner, Erastus Miner; Wm. H. Turner,
Henry Allman, Geo. W. Peake, Sydney C. Perry', Lorin Barr.
The list of names here given is not the poll list of the town,
but the names of those who voted at the first meeting:
Abijah Schoff, Supervisor; John Campton, Clerk; Matthew
Davenport, Wm. Cronkrite, Henry Jones, Lorenzo Sears, Jus
tices; Charles G. Brooks, Treasurer.
On the list of those who voted at the fall election, we have
the additional names of Jonathan Bailey, Justus Bailey and
Geo. Davenport.
Of the early settlers it cannot now be ascertained who were
the first. John Campton came in with his family in March,
1837. He is certain that he found in the town: Ashur Kil
bourne, Abijah Schoff, Willard Brooks, Charles Brooks, Wm.
Cronkrite, Isaiah Frost. Soon after came, that year, John D.
Brown, James D. Norris, James Barns, Patrick Murtaugh,
Seth Hull, Benj. Horner, Chester Gleason, Chancellor Barrin
ger, Nathan Wyman, Elias Bailey, Isaac DeWitt.
After 1837, settlers came in more rapidly.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 151
The first school was kept by Hester Ann David, in what is
now Dist. No. 1; commencing Dec. 6th, 1844. Her school
was in a shanty. She is now Mrs. Soules, of Portland.
Religiously, ths Methodists have always had full swing in Danby; were
the first to occupy the field, and in substance, have had it entirely to them
selves. Of them the first class was gathered June 14th, 1838, by Eld. Orrin
Mitchell, who came but ome; and consisted of: John Campton, Aaron
I'ainpton, Jonathan Ingalls, Charles W. Ingalls and wife, Nancy Hull, Wm.
t'ronkrite and wife. Soon joined: John F. Tirrill, Martha A. Tirrill, John
D. Brown, Charlotta Brown, Stephen Pilkinton, Abigail Tirrill.
The first class-leader was J. Campton, who has always since filled that
position. Ths church occupy School House No. 1. No other denomination has
ever had an organization; though many in the town are connected with the
churches in Portland.
The first birth in Danby, so far as known, was that of
Charles Brooks, August 28th 1838.
The grim messenger — death — first gave his summons to the
wife of Abijah Schoff. She was buried on their own laud, and
her grave is surrounded by a picket fence.
The first white man buried was Wm. Cummings. To show
the primitive styde of doing things among pioneers — he was
drawn to his grave on an ox-sled, and to lower him into it,
use was made of the only halter in the settlement, and a log-
chain. He sleeps tliere just as quietly, as he would if drawn
in a plumed hearse, and lowered to his resting place by less
simple means. In the back- woods a funeral is a solemn thing.
We are familiar with death in the city. The funeral cortega
pass-js in pomp along the street. We .inquire, " Whose funeral
is that? " look at the hearse, count the carriages, and let it pass.
But it is not so in the woods. There a funeral is a. sad reality.
They can make no pageant, display; but with the deepest
solemnity, lovingly- bear the dead to the humble grave.
Tears fill all eyes as the hollow thud of the falling earth tells
the sad tale, that a brother or sister is shut out from their
sight forever. Manly bosoms heave, and woman's eye is tcary,
as they turn from the grave, and seek their homes.
" Bury me where most the butterflies are,"
Was the youthful naturalist's dying prayer;

152 MEMORIALS OF THE
"0 lay me where my fathers are laid,1'
The dying patriarch feebly said ;
'Tis the last fond wish, full oft expressed;
" In my own dear land be my final rest,"
Where kindred friends and neighbors come,
And bedew with tears the lowly tomb.
In the dying breast the hope will rise,
That loving hands will close the eyes;
That loving hands may bear the bier;
That loving eyes will shed a tear;
That loving hearts will yet be found
To consecrate the swelling mound;
That loving hands will plant the rose
Upon the grave where we repose.
In living souls to have a share
Is nature's last, its yearning prayer.
INDIANS. '
In Danby at the time of its first occupation by the whites,
was a small settlement of Indians on section 22, on land now
owned by C. Ingalls. Their number is supposed' to have been
about 150. The name they gave to their settlement is vari
ously remembered: " Chim-i-me-con," " Mishshiminecon," and
" Michimmeny Cahniny."
The old lady, Mrs. Brooks, who lived eight years with the
Indians as almost her only- companions, and became as much
master of the Indian language as of her native Irish, says the
name was " Chiminicon." Their chiefs were Da-mek, and his
half brother, Mau-uk-wood.
Prominent among the others were Onewanda, Nacquit,
Negumwatin, Sisshebee, Nikkenashwa, Whiskemuk, Pashik,
Squagun, and his sons, Thargee and Chedskunk.
Damek was a frightful looking Indian, and not a very good
man. Nacquit was a good Indian. Negumwatin and Nick-
kenashwa were bad fellows. On the whole, the clan, as found,
were rather a set of low-lived Indians.
About 1850 a missionary came to preach to them, by name
Manasseh Hickey, a Methodist. The Indians were having a
drunk when he came, and were disposed to do violence to him,
Through the benevolence of a lady in New York, a mission
house was built, and by the aid of the people and Missionary
Society, implements of husbandry were furnished them, an.l
a school established.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 153
When there had been preaching, the chief men would hold
a council on what they had heard, and if they approved, the
speaker was invited to give them another talk.
The preaching was through an interpreter. The missiou-
-school was taught by7 Mr. Campton. An educated Indian
woman had taught before. Louisa Bogue afterwards taught
there. In time Campton became their spiritual leader.
Soon the Indians very7 readily7 received the instruction of those
who labored for them; and, under their leadership formed a
church. The change in their character was great; they took
to the practices of civilization; divided their reservation into
small allotments; built log houses ; cultivated the ground, and
tried to live like white folks. The women got the idea of neat
ness; learned to sew, wash, and keep house. They became
constant at church, and adopted the dress of the whites. The
men became more gallant to the women. They generally
adopted the religion that was preached to them; entering
readily into the spirit of the church, singing, praying, etc — in
fact, became a band of civilized Methodist Indians. They went
off to the reservations in Isabel county. Their former teacher
and preacher, Campton, is still in Danby, and is happy in the
thought that his labors resulted in raising a band of brutified
savages to the rank of men. Believing that is the case, we
make our respectful bow to Gampton, as to one who has done
some good in the world; who has lived not altogether for self,
but who sought to serve humanity and his God.
Kind reader, pause a moment. Is the world any better for
your having lived in it?
In Danby, on the left bank of the river, is a mineral spring,
which needs only a little enterprise and the effrontery to tell
of marvelous cures of epilepsy, palsy, gout, rheumatism, scrof
ula, etc., and the brazen assurance of a resident quack to make
it a famous watering place. It is on the place of Mr. Mills;
and the tufaceous deposit from it, which is immense, has been
burned for lime. It is a very strong chalybeate water, depos
iting ochre in great quantities. This ochre is a good paint.
Were not so many worthless mineral springs cracked up until
people begin to see through the humbug, this might be brought

154 MEMORIALS OF THE
into notice, which is doubtless equal to any chalybeate spring
in the world. But " Vive la humbug!" Springs that are as
good as sea- water, are resorted to as to a Bethesda; the water
bottled and shipped off, as a life-restoring panacea; while
Danby waters, which have health and curative powers in them,
are a mud bank by the side of the river.
Were not, Danby a pleasant town, the Grand River is very
foolish to linger so long in it, meandering, as it does, through
eighteen sections of its land before it reluctantly leaves, turn
ing again and again; fondly lingering — loth to bid farewell.
No wonder, for 'tis a peaceful town, where are not a dozen
sects, pulling each others' hair, but each holier than the rest
(in their own esteem). No, that is not Danby. They worship
God in a school-house, and have not yet come to that point
of civilization where the church is the center of fashion, and a
place where, the poor cannot decently appear. Money! money!
money! thou Mammon of all ungodliness, why has thou des
ecrated the church? Why hast thou not left one place where
rich and poor may7 stand, each on his individual merit, as a
Christian and a man!
It is related of a German king, that, being sick, he set a
page to read his prayers. The young man, as he was praying
in the name of his king, left out some of the most deeply pen
itential and humiliating passages. The king interrupted, and
asked what that meant. The youth said, "I feared your maj
esty would not like it." "None of 'your majesty'-ing here,"
said the king, " remember we are in the presence of our God,
where I am a good-for-nothing, sinful rascal, as well as you.
Go on, and give me the worst of it; I deserve it." But I am
afraid that when I go to church to show my new coat, I don't
look on the humble one whose coat is seedy, as my equal in
the presence of the Lord. Perhaps He has a different opinion
about it. IONIA COUNTY HISTORY RESUMED.
The territory, until settled, was for judicial purposes, at
tached to Kalamazoo county. In 1835 the /County first had
political existence, as a town of Kalamazoo county. When

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 155
Kent county was organized in 1836, Ionia was attached as a
town to Kent, and as such remained one year.
As a town of Kalamazoo county, the first meeting was at
Generau's, April 6th, 1835, on the right bank of Grand River,
one hundred rods or so from the mouth of Maple River.
Philo Bogue, Chairman; Dr. Lincoln, Clerk.
Officers elected: E. Yeomans, Supervisor; Dr. Lincoln,
Clerk; Asa Spencer, Collector.
A full board of officers was not elected. The supervisor
acted as assessor.
Second meeting at same place.
Ionia county was established by act of Legislature in 1837.
At the same time the county was divided into two towns — Ionia
and Maple. The first township meeting in Ionia to be held at
the house of Samuel Dexter; the first meeting in Maple at the
house of William Hunt. (Lyons).
Maple consisted of all the county east of a line dividing the
second tier of townships in the middle. The rest of the coun
ty was Ionia — or two and a half tiers of townships on the
west. In process of time, towns were formed by cutting off from
these. For particulars, see the history of the several towns,
and the summary of Legislative action.
There is no important purpose served by tracing all those
temporary- arrangements, and the subsequent mutations, by
which rivers have been made to be township boundaries.
At first the county started her political existence with two
towns — Ionia and Maple. The records of the county are
partly not in existence, and those of Maple cannot be found.
The records of the doings of the supervisors are missing*
What is gathered is from the book of the county canvassers,
and the records of the courts.
The first meeting of the county canvassers was at the house
of Asa Spencer, and the result of the county canvass was:
For Associate Judges : Isaac Thompson, 292; Truman H. Lyon, 187; Wil
liam Babcock, 104.
Judge of Probate: Cyrus Lowell, 116; Wm. D. Moore, 173.
Sheriff: E. W. Curtis, 191; H. V. Lebhart, 93.

156 MEMORIALS OF THE
Clerk: Asa Brunnell, 183; Erastus Yeomans, 116.
Coroners: Philo Bogue, 187; Thaddeus 0. Warner, 293.
Treasurer: Robert S. Parks, 106; John E. Morrison, 185.
District Surveyor: Buel H. Mann, 220.
' ¦ Rsgist3r of Deeds: Mason Hearsey. 102; AdamL. Roof, 189.
In November A. F. Bell was made County Surveyor-
The above shows on the highest vote 293, which is assumed to be nearly
the number of settlers entitled to vote. These were scattered in Ionia, Ber
lin, Danby, Easton, Lyons, North Plains, Orange, Otisco, Portland and Ro
nald, and there was one settler in Campbell.
In 1838 there were five towns, whose votes were canvassed, viz: Portlandi
Maple, Ionia, Boston and Otisco-
The officers chosen were: John Plaice, Sheriff; Lawson S. Warner, Clerk;
Thomas Caswell, Treasurer; William Dallass, Register.
In 1840 six towns — Cass having been added — elected: Samuel Dexter, As
sociate Judge; H^nry Buston, Judge of Probate; Alonzo Sessions, Sheriff;
Abram S. Wadsworth, Commissioner; Osmond Tower, Clerk; John C. Dex
ter, Register; Asaph Walker, Treasurer.
In 1842, Keene appears in the towns represented.
Wm. Crumer, Sheriff; David Irish, Clerk: Asaph Mather, Treasurer; Wm.
Dallass, Register.
1843. Fred. Hall, Register of Deeds, and Cyprian Hooker, Sheriff.
1844. North Plains added.
Hiram Brown, Sheriff; Hampton Rich, Clerk; Isaac G. Frost, Treasurer;
Fred. Hall, Register of Deeds; W. Z. Blanchard, Judge of Probate; Erastus
Yeomans, Almeron Newman, Associate Judges.
1846. Added: Danby, Sebewa, Ronald, Orange, Odessa, Orleans.
Officers: A. F. Bell, Representative; Luke Harwood, County Judge; "Vol-
ney Eaton, Sheriff; Hampton Rich, Cierk; I. G. Frost, Treasurer; A. F. Carr,
Register of Deeds.
1843. Cyrus Lowell, Representative; Petar Coon, Sheriff; Abram V. Ber
ry, Clerk; John C. Dexter, Treasurer; Ethan S. Johnson, Register of Deeds;
John L. Morse, Judge of Probate; Lambert B. Barnard, Erastus Yeomans,
Associate Judges. /
1850. Sixteen towns — Campbell having been added.
J. C. Blanchard, Prosecuting Attorney; C. M. Moseman, Treasurer; E. S.
Johnson, Register of Deeds; A. C. Davis, Clerk; Hiram Brown, County
Judge; Gilbert H. King, Judge of Probate (to fill vacancy); Asaph C. Smith,
Sheriff; Erastus Yeomans, Joseph Boynton, Associate Judges of Circuit
Court. 1852. Charles W. Ingalls, Representative; Charles M. Moseman, Treas
urer; Alvin C. Davis, Clerk; Adam L. Roof, Judge of Probate; Thomas
Cornell, Register of Deeds; Ami Chipman, Sheriff; John C. Blanchard,
Prosecuting Attorney.
1854. C. Lovell, Representative; C. A. Holmes, Sheriff; W. B. Wells,
Clerk; A. Williams, Treasurer; H. Hunt, Register of Deeds; Harvey Bartow,
Prosecuting Attorney.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 157
1856. A. Sessions, Representative; C. A. Holmes, Sheriff; W. B. Wells,
Prosecuting Attorney; J. L. Morse, Judgo of Probate; A. Williams, Treas
urer; A. Cornell, Clerk; Oscar Thompson, Register of Deeds.
1858. Abram Alderman, Sheriff; W. B.Wells, Prosecuting Attorney; E.
S. Johnson, Treasurer; Clark 0. Preston, Clerk: Julius Jennings, Register
of Deeds.
1860. A. Alderman. Sheriff; John L. Morse, Judge of Probate; C. 0.
Preston, Clerk; Julius Jenner, Register of Deeds; Albert Williams, Prosecu
ting Attorney.
1862. John S. Bennett, Clerk; Joseph Rickey, Register of Deeds; Geo.
Ellsworth, Treasurer; Wm. W. Mitchell, Prosecuting Attorney.
1861. Willard Wells. Judge of Probate; J. S. Bennett, Clerk; J. Rickey,
Reg-ister of Deeds; C. A. Preston, Treasurer; W. W. Mitchell, Prosecuting
Attorney. N
1867. Sandford Yeomans, County Suparintendant of Public Schools.
1868. A. Alderman, Sheriff; W. B. Wells, Judge of Probate; Edgar M.
Marble, Clerk; Silas Sprague, Treasurer; Vernon H. Smith, Register of
Deeds; B. Morse, Prosecuting Attorney.
1870. Edson P. Gifford, Sheriff; Henry C. Sessions, Clerk; John Morton,
Treasurer; Alfred H. Heath, Register of Deeds; E. W. Marble, Prosecuting
Attorney. 1871. Charles A. Hutchins, Superintendent Common Schools; Eb. D.
Keisey, Drain Comrnissio'ner.
1872. E. P. Gifford, Sheriff; Wm. B. Woodworth, Judge of Probate;
H. C. Sessions, Clerk; John Morton, Treasurer; A. H. Heath, Register of
Dasds; E. M. Marble, Prosecuting Attorney.
1873. Wilbur H. Moon, Superintendent Public Schools.
The first term of the Circuit Court was held in a building
occupied by Daniel Ball, as a store (now the Granger House),
in May, 1837, Epaphroditus (we give the whole) Ransom pre
siding. The only business transacted was to admit to practice
Adam L. Roof. The second term was in November, 1837,
same Judge, Isaac Thompson associate; grand jury empan-
neled, Samuel Dexter, foreman. Cyrus Lovell was appointed
Prosecuting Attorney; Charles Smith was admitted to the bar.
The grand jury returned several bills of indictment (not speci
fied). It seems that at that early day there was wickedness,
or, at least, suspicion of it. The court adjourned, doing no
business further, except dismissing a petition to establish a
ferry at Generauville. May term, 1838: same Judges; C.
Lovell appointed Prosecuting Attorney. First cause, John
Lloyd v. Allen Hutchins; default entered against judgment.
Several causes were tried, mostly complaints for selling liquor

158 MEMORIALS OF THE x>
to the Indians. One case of divorce was preliminarily acted
upon. Here we have the proof that the ancients, like the
moderns, sometimes found Hymen's yoke not easy, and his
burdens not light. We intentionally refrain from giving the
names of the yoked cat and dog, who first in Ionia county ap
plied to the courts, and there ventilated their disgrace and
shame. " State of Michigan v. Wm. A. Burgess ; assault and bat
tery." Prisoner pleaded not guilty ; whereupon the prosecut
ing attorney entered a nolle pros, to the indictment, etc., etc.
Mr. Burgess, it is clear you didn't strike him ;• but he de
served all you gave him. You didn't hit him any too hard,
the blackguard! Hope the next time he behaved so, you gave
him another thrashing.
The first criminal case was that of Louis Generau, who was
convicted of murder in the Kent County Circuit Court, and
sent to prison. The second was The People v. Thomas Riley,
for forgery. Yerdict, not guilty.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 159

KENT COUNTY.
ALGOMA.
Algoma had existed as a part of God's earth ever since the
waters were drained from North America. It had also existed
as a part of Plainfield since the organization of that town.
As such it remained until 1849, when, by act of Legislature,
it was established as an independent town, taking its name
from a steamboat, then plying on Grand River. Not that they
named the infant town, as many people name their infant
progeny, in compliment. They chose the name because they
liked the sound. In this they showed they had at least one
person of good sense, and poetic taste in the territory to be
named. Because it had that one person, it will ever glory in
the most musical and poetic name of any town in the Grand
River Yalley. By the way, that humble servant of the public
— the writer of these memorials — is not pleased with the names
through which the earlier inhabitants decreed that for all time
the people should live in a region and atmosphere of the
blankest prose. In the first place, there is a disposition to
laugh when one sees a hen-coop protected by cannon. Is there
less of the burlesque, when the name " Grand" is applied to
a fifth-class, river, to a snug little city and a country village?
Grand Rapids, Grand Haven and Grandville will never be the
theme of song, condemned, as they are, to bear their burlesque
and unmusical names. Look at the prosaic names given to
towns; most of them the name of some man, country, or big
city. Why cannot people feel a pride in originality? And why
were not ears tuned to appreciate musical sounds? A child is.
born to one, who is conscious of no genius, and he names him
John or Patrick; for that is the most common name; and he
wishes to be like other folks. Or, conscious of the humble

160 MEMORIALS OF THE
origin of his child, he seeks to ennoble him by giving him a
name, that somebody has made famous, unconscious of the
burlesque. Your humble writer would not do so. No, no !
When children are born to him, the alphabet shall be ques
tioned as to its capability for forming musical and poetic
words. If applied to to name a town, he would not suggest
his own, or any other unnoted name, with the vain idea that
the town would dignify the man. Let names die when the
sexton has covered the man, if the man has done nothing for
which he should be remembered. Don't condemn a town to
be a tombstone, to perpetuate some name that should be for
gotten; or to play second -fiddle. Goldsmith has sung of sweet
" Auburn," but where is the poet that will ever sing of "New
London." To her musical name the vale of Wyoming has be
come classic, grand; but what poet will, or can, give charms to
New York, New Jersey, or New Hampshire? So beware, yo.
imitators; beware, ye toadies!
But returning from this digression, yet without an apology,
for it is the business of the historian to commingle lessons of
wisdom with the details of history, which give him the text.
The first town meeting was held at school-house No. 3 (Plain-
field numbering), April 2d, 1849; Smith Lapham, Moderator.
Others elected: Smith Lapham, Supervisor; Wm. Thorn
ton, Clerk; A. L. Pickett, Treasurer; Morgan Allen, John H.
Jacobs; John Hamilton, Justices.
Number of voters, 30.
The following statement of the settlement and progress of
Algoma is mostly from an article published by H. N. Stinson,
Esq. Let it be understood that while he is to be credited with
all that is of any value in it historically, he is not responsible
any further. If, in every7 town, some one, himself an actor, had
done as Mr. Stinson has done, this book would have been much
more valuable.
The first settler— Wm. Hunter, came from the State of New
York, in 1842 ; and built a log-house. He stayed a year or two,
and went away. In 1843, Smith Lapham, from Washtenaw
county, bought out Hunter, and settled where now is the vil
lage of Rockford. He erected a mill on the left bank of Rogue

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 161
River; and with a few goods, opened a modest store. He was
soon followed by the Hunter brothers, who built a saw-mill
on the right bank, using the same dam as Lapham. They had
a sale for their lumber to the new settlers, who were rapidly
coining in.
In the year '44, Wm. Thornton, a Yermonter, came in, and
erected a machine shop.
In 1845, arrived A. L. Pickett, also from Yermout; Joshua
Briggs, from Yates county, N. Y. ; John Davis, Benjamin
Pettingell, and B. N. Pettingsll, his son ; all three from Ing
ham county ; Henry Hersel and Henry Shank, from Ohio ; who
located in different parts of the town.
By common consent, the part of the town, centering at the
mills, was called Laphainville. In 1845, the people built a
shanty and opened a school, with Miss Amy Ann Lapham as
teacher. The same year a post-office was established, with S. Lapham
as postmaster; and the same year, the Rev. James Ballard
held meetings in private houses. This is by no means the first
or the only town, where that now venerable man was the first
to herald the gospel. Now he rests from his labors. Age is
creeping on ; and feeble health has warned him that his days
of labor are ended. In years gone by, he was one of those
who preached the gospel, but never lived upon it. It is little
of this world's wealth, that he has ever received for his preach
ing. He worked on his farm for a living; and preached
because he believed; loved the service of the Master, and
loved the souls of men. Eccentric, perhaps (he always had
the name of it), he cared little for this world's opinion. He
never asked how much would be paid; but whether it was
God's will, and his duty. He has outlived the time, when to
be an " Abolitionist " was to be considered " eccentric ; " and
when clergymen, afraid of losing their salaries, dared not feel,
or pray for those in bonds. Where he preached in log-houses
and sustained himself, others, well sustained, are preaching in
dedicated temples; and he, biding his- time, can say: "Now
lettest thou thy servant depart in peace." Ballard, perhaps no
lofty monument may mark thy resting place; but your name
11

162 MEMORIALS OF THE
is engraved in many a heart; and your history is a part of the
history of civilization and Christianity in the Yalley of the
Grand River.
After 1845, the settlement of the town was rapid, and there
is no necessity of being particular.
The first marriage in the town was June 22d, 1845, when Isaac
Baker and Harriet Lapham joined fortunes, not contemplating
divorce. The union was legalized by David C. Gilbert, Esq.
The first birth was their daughter Eva, in March, 1846.
The first death was that of Barney- Lapham, a native of New
York, in 1845.
In 1851, Harvey Porter opened the first public house — the
" Algoma House." It was burned in 1S64, and the " Stinson
House" erected on its site.
In 1852, Chase and Judson put up the first grist-mill, which,
¦enlarged and improved, is still standing.
In 1859, the village was platted, and named "Lapham ville."
The same year the Baptist church was erected — the first in the
place — and an addition was made to the school-house.
About this time the "Lapham ville Courier" was started by-
Frank Drew. It was a failure. Wm. Hicks attempted to
continue the paper, but could not.
In 1850, Ensly Martin built a foundry, which, vastly im
proved, is in existence.
In 1865, the Methodist Episcopal Church was built.
In May, 1866, the village was re-platted by Mr. Caukin;
incorporated by the supervisors, and named (the Lord knows
why) " Rockford." At this time the number of inhabitants
was 315.
The first village officers were:
Smith Lapham, President; George French, Clerk; Cyrus
Kent, Robert House, M. T. Arbor, J. B. Hewitt, T. N. Bark
er, R. L. Blakeley, Trustees; Bichard Briggs, Marshal.
Number of votes, 05.
In 1868, trains first passed Rockford. In 1870, the present
school-house was built, costing $20,000. This school-house is
the prominent object; and it tells a big story for the place.
Schools are civilizers. About some other institutions there is

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 103
diversity of opinion. But that the place where they have a
fine school-house, a first-class principal, and a corps of well-
selected teachers — and w-here the people are willing to sustain
them — is a civilized place. People of sense choose to live
there. But oh, deliver us from being obliged to live where the
school-house is a mere shed, and where they get the " cheapest "
person they can to run the school. In such places we are apt
to find the grog-shop the chief educator; and there we find more
politicians than men of brains.
In 1871 a new charter was obtained; the number of votes
at the first election under it, was 142, indicating quite a
growth under the village organization.
Going back a little; the growth of the town was slow at
first; previous to '44, the only communication with the world
outside was by Indian trails. In 1844, the Rev. Isaac Bar
ker came from New Hampshire, and located in Courtland; cut
the first road from the village to Courtland.
In the spring of '48, the first school district was organized,
and called No. 3 of Plainfield; they voted to raise $200 to
build a house; there were then 28 scholars in the district.
In the fall of '48, a meeting of the citizens was held,
preliminary7 to having the town set off from Plainfield. Tho
meeting was at the house of Lapham.
In the fall of 1849, John and Mike Furlong opened the
first store, exchanging goods for lumber and shingles, the cur
rency of the region.
In 1850, John Cox commenced blacksmithing. He became
popular and ambitious, and wanted to be Governor; bnt dis
appointed in his ambition, he shook the dust of Laphamville
from his feet, and went, where he hoped merit would be ap
preciated. The pine land attracted speculators, who bought up large
tracts, and either held on for prices, or stripped the land of its
pine. We need not name those who, without becoming citi
zens, owned large tracts of land. They don't develop a town,
and the town has no interest in them. They make or lose
some money out of the places, and disappear.
February 28th, 1861, was a dark day for Algoma. Daniel

164 MEMORIALS OF THE
Barber, an honored citizen, started to go to Grand Rapids to
pay over to the County Treasurer the tax of the town, amount
ing to something over $600. On the way he was murdered
and robbed by William Kingin. Kingin was arrested the
same day, and is now serving his life-sentence in the State
prison. The whole affair is among the inexplicables. Kingin
was not, in common estimation, a bad man. He was going
along with Barber, carrying an ax on his shoulder. Falling
behind, a thought struck him, and he acted on that thought.
With a blow of the ax he split the skull of Barber. He
hurled the ax into the snow, then rifled the pockets of his
victim; went on a little way, and threw the pocketbook into
a stream. Remorse took the place of the first frenzy of greed.
In the prison he is among the most exemplary of the prison
ers; penitent and self-accusing — seemingly trying, as far as in
him lies, to atone for his one great crime. He is spoken of
by the warden as a model prisoner; a moment a fiend, repent-
ent for life. Since writing the above Kingin has died.
An incident of early- times is well told in a Rockford paper,
by Gilbert Lapham, Esq., a lawyer at Lansing. We will let
him tell hfe own story:
" I was one of the oldest inhabitants, and have many lively
recollections of old times, in the pleasant village of Rockford.
That is, I was there when the village sprouted; and believe I
only lacked one thing of being the youngest sprout in the place.
I think that I and a little red dog, with crooked legs and an
oval tail, whose name was ' Don,' killed the first woodchuck,
that migrated to the place; and I believe that we, that is, Don
and I, know more of the chipmunks, red squirrels, rabbits,
partridges and snakes in the vicinity, than any other man,
woman or dog.
I remember that Don and I once set a trap for a woodchuck
at a hole in the hill-side. It was a nice fresh hole, and he and
I were much pleased and excited at the prospect. The next
morning's sun-rise found us at the place, and, sure enough,
we had him ; for nothing was to be seen but the chain of the
trap, drawn as far into the hole as the clog would allow. We
seized the chain, and, -with a long strong pull, out came the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 165
animal, and Don and I pitched into him without ceremony.
But how the woodchuck went back on us! In fact it was not
a woodchuck, but a ' Mephitis Americana,' or, in plain Eng
lish, a skunk; not one of the imported kind, but truly Ameri
can. And what a smell was there, my countrymen! We
fought it out, but when we got through, the best man living
could not have told which was the skunk. I believe I made
an effort to back down into the hole, firmly convinced that I
had been transformed in the fight; that I was a skunk, and had
been attacked by the dog." SCHOOLS.
Rockford had simple plain buildings for her school or schools
until 1870, when the present house was erected, as heretofore
stated. The first principal was Prof. McEwan, a man of fine
culture, assisted by three ladies — two Misses De Pew and Miss
Martin. McEwan stayed but \\ y7ears. ¦ He was followed by
Prof. O. 0. Fletcher, the present principal. Expense annually,
$5,775. ALPINE.
There are some doubts as to who first penetrated into the
wilds of Alpine, and is deserving ofthe honor of being handed
down to future generations as "the first settler." This much
is rescued from the dim traditions of antiquity:
In the fall of 1837, Solomon Wright, a man educated at
Williams College, Mass., came with his family from the State
of New York, and pre-empted eighty acres of land in the
southwest part of Alpine. His eldest son, Benjamin, also
pre-empted land. The old gentleman, not rich, had five boys,
and, as they have given name to a town near by, and have not
been ciphers in the world, we will here give their names:
Benjamin, Solomon, Noadiah (better known as "Dutch"),
Andrew and Jeremiah S.
The Wrights found no settlers in the west part of the town,
or in the north part of Walker. There were in the town three
Frenchmen named Peter Labelle, Joseph Genie, and another,
name forgotten. These Frenchmen put up a mill on govern-

166 MEMORIALS OF THE
ment land; stayed two or three years, and went away. Further
it is not known that there were any residents in town when
the Wright family came in the fall of 1837.
Two brothers, James and Francis Blood, arrived the same
fall, and located themselves near Wright.
Of these pioneers of Alpine, Solomon Wright, 2d, te the
only one remaining in the town. In his goodly mansion on
the south line of the town ; he has long enjoyed the respect of
the community, where he has had a leading influence. Adverse
fortune has come upon him, but if the good wishes of the peo
ple could carry him through, his house will again be one
where genial hospitality and good companionship will win and
perpetuate good will.
The old gentleman — Solomon, Sr. — was never an active
man in the region. He was a scholar rather than a business
man. He died at a good old age, August, 1853.
Noadiah C. (Dutch.)' Why everybody knows Dutch Wright.
We say " Dutch," for he has so long borne that name, that
should you say " Noadiah " he would not mistrust he was
meant. He signs his name " N. C. Wright," but it is question
able whether he would not have to refresh his memory by look
ing at the family Bible, before confidentially telling what "N.
C." stands for. He lives in a big house, paid for with money
which came of his understanding " horse." That beast he
does understand; and he conceives a most profound respect
for a man who can cheat him in ahorse trade. As an example:
A man in Grand Rapids was in possession of an otherwise
good-looking horse, that was blind. One day a bright thought
came into his head — he would go and put a drive on Dutch
Wright. So, fortifying himself, he harnessed his nag into his
wagon, and leisurely drove along to the " Wright settlement."
At the same time Dutch had a very good-looking horse, that
he was anxious to get rid of, for reasons not now known. As
the city- fellow was leisurely and meditatively driving by
Wright's farm, Wright was. plowing by the side of the road,
with his worthless beauty and a plain, valuable beast for a team.
Being slightly acquainted, both stopped, discussed the weather,
the last political news, etc. In the meantime, Wright con-

&

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 107
ceived and suggested a horse-trade, to which the city7 chap
seemed entirely indifferent. WriglTt finally offered him either
one of his team; not doubting which he would take. The
offer was accepted, and the exchange made, to the infinite
chagrin of Wright, when he saw him take the plain horse.
Mentally, he soliloquized: "That man is not so green as I sup
posed; he understands " horse." The city man departed, and
the farmer soon found that his new acquisition " though having
eyes, saw not." Did he get mad? Not he. He threw up his
hat, and shouted himself hoarse; then sat down on a stone,
and laughed until tears came into his eyes. Calming himself
by degrees, in measured tones he said: " I have found the
genius at last: I have found my master; I have found the man
who can cheat Dutch Wright in a horse-trade. By the "Hoke-
fenoke and the living Jingoes ! I'm his friend forever!!" He
sought out the genius, and they consecrated the beginning of
the warmest friendship by copious libations at Wright's ex
pense. Speak evil of that man, or intimate that he is not a
genius — the king of " horse men," and look out for the
" Dutch" of Wright.
James Blood died in Walker, and his brother Francis sold
out after a time and moved away.
We learn of no accessions until 1840. This year brought
John Coffee from Ohio, with Richard Goding, Jacob Snyder,
a German; John Plattee, Turner Hills, and Noel Hopkins.
Turner Hills was a Yermonter. He came with his wife and
family to Grand Rapids in 1838. In 1840, he took up forty
acres of land, near where now is the hotel in Alpine. That
he had slender means is indicated by his taking up so little
land. He cut his own road more than two miles. At that
time there was no settler in the east part of the town. He
died in 1842, after having fairly made a beginning, leaving
four sons and a daughter; and one who remained his widow
-—" Mother Hills" — until her death, in 1873. A word for this
noble woman. She united native good sense with great infor
mation — was one of the "oracles" of the town; her opinion
valued, and her character spoken of as combining in its
elements all that is noble and womanly. She was the coun-

168 MEMORIALS OF THE
selor of the old and young; and she died at a good old age,
with the blessings of the. community, and the veneration of
the family- she had reared. As a matter of course, her fami
ly was not a failure. The time has not come to speak freely
of them; as they are living, and not silver-grey with age.
Let them work awhile longer, and fulfill the destiny marked
out for them by a wise mother.
The individual who pens these lines, always makes his most
reverent bow to a wise mother. God bless a mother, any7way.
But when she is good and wise, she needs no praying for; she
is a fountain of blessings herself; and happy are the children
who call her " mother."
The Catholic church first " sainted " and afterwards deified
the abstract idea of a good mother, under the name of " Mary;"
and it was the best thing that church ever did — it sanctified
the holiest idea; and taught people to love, to reverence, and
to worship purity, goodness and motherhood as divine; and
when combined, to deify that idea.
The writer is no Catholic. But, " heretic" and " sinner" as
he is, he does feel that, in advancing the purified idea of
" Mary" to the rank of an object of worship, the Catholics have
given to religion a purifying influence; they have sanctified
virtue, and thrown a charm around it; a charm which will aid
in purifying the hearts of the votaries of the church. Not be
lieving the dogma, still we say, " Blessed is its spirit; and with
the Catholic idea, blessed is Mary."
We were never made for the pulpit, and therefore think
there was wisdom in our not taking to it as a profession. We
cannot stick to a text, but are continually flying off in a tan
gent. An idea strikes us, and off wc go, until we find our
selves we scarce know where. But we'll come back to Alpine.
The few succeeding years are mingled in the minds of the
"old settlers," and they will be here jumbled together.
Thompson Casson is to be noticed, who came in '42, and
died in '48. He was a good-hearted, public-spirited, intelli
gent and moral Scotchman; a natural leader; a good specimen
of a man. He had not secured fortune, but he died with the
respect of all. When a good man dies, all feel it; but at the
death of a human animal tears are scarce.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 169
In 1843, came John Cathcart. In 1850, he was stabbed by
a neighbor under the influence of liquor, and died in conse
quence. The man was sent to prison. About the same time
came John Haire, who has since been seen, heard and felt at
Georgetown, Ottawa county. Also Stephen Coon, who died
in 1850. Three sons of his are now respectable physicians in
Lisbon and Casnovia. Coon could not have been a very bad
man, or he had a good wife.
Here, too, may be mentioned Henry Church, who still lives
in the north of Alpine;
In June, 1844, came " Hncle Edward Wheeler," — the first
supervisor of the town — everybody's " uncle." ¦ Wheeler is an
old man now, and we will talk about him. He is a great pet.
The children hail him, " Uncle Wheeler, ain't you going to
give us a kiss ?" "Give me the first one!" The genial old
soul loves everybody, and everybody loves him. When he
dies there will -be a big 'funeral, and many eyes will be dim.
God bless your genial old soul, Hncle Ed.
Wheeler, when he came, had a family, and some money. He
bought 160 acres of land, which, paying in State scrip, cost
him $104.50. A brother-in-law, Harry Wilder, came with
him, who bought 40 acres of land of Wheeler, and paid for it
by cutting down eight acres. (Land is not so paid for in Alpine,
now.) Wilder died in 1858; a -good man and devoted Chris
tian. At this date we find, also, Baltus Shafter, Joseph Kipler,
Gasper Cordes, Moses Ramsdell, Sherman M. Pearsall, Harvey
Monroe, Francis Greenly, Henry Porter, P. Fox, John Avery7,
Robert Delmar, Heiiry and Lorenzo Dennison, Philip Cum
mings' and his sons, and perhaps some more. Greenly was
killed by lightning. At this time (1844), Wm. H. Withey had
a mill on Mill Creek.
Alpine was long identified with Walker. She was slow to
claim to be of age, and lived contentedly as " North Walker "
until 1847. Then, in ApriL, she held her first election, at the
school-house in the southeast corner of the town.
The first officers were: Supervisor, Edward Wheeler; Clerk,
C. D. Schenick; Treasurer, Casper Cordes; Justices, Win. H.
Withey, John Coffee, John Colton, John Tuxbury.

170 MEMORIALS OF THE
The name was singularly chosen, and is not the most appro
priate. Every town is apt to have a dictatorial voice; and the
north half of Walker had. its man who must dictate. lie de
cided that the pine trees of the east part of the township should
furnish the name; and his poetic genius conceived and brought
forth the name—" All Pine." In the name of the whole, he
decided that the infant town should be so baptized. Mrs.
Hills, seeing that " All Pine " was destined to be the name,
suggested that one " 1 " should be dropped, and the two words
condensed into one, which would still preserve the " pine,"
and be more musical. A sly twinkle was in her eye, as dic
tator said, "That's jist the thing."
The tourist will look in vain for its " towering heights" and
"beetling crags" where "leaps the live thunder." He will
come prepared with alpenstock, to scale the snow-crowned and
rocky heights — to trace the glacier in the mountain defile, or
to dodge the avalanche. But, wandering, he finds a region
fair and smooth as a lady's cheek; and, disgusted, he calls
out to a passing denizen: "Where are your Alpine heights,
and your Alpine vales?" Citizen Hills, for such is he, says to
him: "Have you no poetry in your soul? Can you not
conceive mountain scenery, and enjoy the idea? Are y-ou so
prosaic as to see only tame reality?"
By this time the disgusted traveler has put distance between
himself and Hills. Nevertheless, the spirit of poetry is on
Hollis, and he apostrophises :
" Ye crags and peaks, I'm with you once again,"
et cetera, et cetera, and so forth; until, in a fine glow of poetic
rapture, he extemporises: Time was when Indians was scalpin'
One another, up here in Alpine.
The remainder is unwritten.
Situated, as the town mostly is, in the best land in Michigan,
it is no wonder that thrift and wealth abound ; that goodly resi
dences and and noble farms are the rule and not the exception.
The land was mostly taken on State warrants, when land was

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 17 1
lying around loose, " all sprawled about," and hardly considered
a thing of value. "Times change, and we change with them."
The men who joined issue with the " heavy timber " now rest
from their labors, either in their graves, or in their otium cum
ilignitate, which, translated by a college student, means,
"smoke their pipes and oversee." A few, like Buck, Murray
and Pearsall, don't know when they are rich enough, and work
from habit. But most of the old fellows look on their broad
acres, and let the boys do the work.
Tliere are two churches in the town, the Baptist and the
Catholic. ADA.
Ada was authorized by the Legislature to commence exist
ence as a town in 1838. Its limits were the present town of
Ada, and what are now Cascade and Caledonia. It received
its name from a little child of the town, "Ada Smith" —
daughter of the first settler, Sidney Smith— now the wife of
James Miller, Esq., of Grand Rapids.
The lands pre-empted at Ada were mostly river bottoms,
some of the best land in the country. Titles could not be ob
tained until 1839. Some improvements had been made; the
block-house tavern, long known as the Withey house, had been
built. When the lands were sold, several persons secured large
tracts. Rix Robinson, by favor of the Indians, by the treaty, had
some 600 acres.
Loan and Perry Hill secured 600 acres on the right bank of
the river two miles below the bridge.
Rhodes, 500 acres, now known by his name.
Lucius Lyon, 1,000 or so along the Thornapple and where is
the village of Ada.
Charles Robinson pre-empted below the Rhodes place; Rix
Church in the same region.
Torrey Smith, two miles above the bridge, on the right
bank of- the river; Simeon D. Holt above Smith.
John and Wm. Spence, next below the Pettis farm, where
is the school house.

172 MEMORIALS OF THE
Rix Robinson, as an Indian Trader, came to the Grand
River in 1821, and established several trading posts, making
his central place with the Indians at Ada. Being a person
without rights, and at the sufferance of the Indians, he can
scarcely be called for many years a settler, but rather a so
journer. He was, in reality, the pioneer of the Yalley. He
identified himself with the Indians for purposes of trade.
When the land was opened for settlement he became a settler
with others. As he will be the subject of a special article, no
more will be said of him here.
Sidney- Smith is reported to have been the first after Robin
son who took up his abode in this town. His residence was
a short distance west of the Ada Bridge.
The real settlement fairly commenced in 1836. In 1837,
we find John Spence, William Spence, Edward Pettis, Ed
ward Robinson, with a large family of sons ; John W. Fiske,
Gen. Withey, Digby Y. Bell, Zerra Whitney, Torrey Smith,
A. H. Riggs, Putnam Hill, Elias Crow, Enoch Price, Minos
Gypson, Rix Church, Lot Church, Charles Robinson, Win.
Slauson, Perry Hill, Loan. Hill.
Enoch Price and Elias Crow took lands near Pettis.
Pettis located by a fine spring on the bottom lands, where
he now lives.
Minos Gypson was Pettis' neighbor.
Edward Robinson located below Rix Robinson.
Yery early in the history of the town, they saw that at the
mouth of the Thornapple was the place for a city, or a village,
at least. Accordingly, and in the spirit of the times, a village
was platted, and the lots were sold for taxes, until all was ab
sorbed in the farms surrounding — no one owning a village.
When the D. & M. Railroad established their depot there,
and Clement put up mills on the Thornapple, in 1853, it be
came self-evident that a village must be there. A portion of
land on both sides of the Thornapple was laid out, and a snug
little place has grown up— this time on the ground and not
on paper. Before that time there had been the nucleus of a
village on the other side of the river. There they had a store,
the school-house, blacksmith shop and several houses.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 173
A bridge was at an early day built by the State, which fell
in 1852, with several men on it at the time. None, however,
were killed. The present toll-bridge was built in 1853; it is
now free.
In 1854, the second school-house was built near where stands
the school-house of to-day7. It was a very respectable wooden
structure. Moses Everett, then recently from New York, a
teacher by profession, was first placed in charge. About 1870,
the second house having become too small to accommodate the
rising village, the present brick house was built, and the school
opened in it.
Two churches, Baptist and Methodist, attest the interest of
the people in religious observances; and the snug houses and
business places the thrift of the pleasant village.
Ada had its Indian band; their planting ground was on
both sides of the Thornapple, at its mouth. A small band of
them, at the time of the extinction of the Indian title, located
themselves on the left bank of the river some miles below,
where the Catholics established a mission. These Indians,
under wise leadership, became civilized; had as good farms as
their neighbors; as good houses, cattle and crops. They, how
ever, broke up and went to the reservations at Pentwater.
This settlement was known as " Boshaw's," so called from a
French half-breed, who was influential amongst them.
By the way, the Catholics civilize the Indians. Their mis
sionaries do not rely simply on preaching the Gospel ; they7 do
not try to do all at once; have patience, and succeed; while
Protestant zeal has generally resulted in lowering the charac
ter of their missions. Protestant zeal has over-shot itself, not
being directed by wisdom. •
The Protestant missionary has aimed, in the first place, to
" convert" the Indians, and is satisfied if he can see them pray
ing and singing. He indoctrinates them in a theology they7
cannot understand, and numbers his "converts." The
Catholic, on the contrary, shows the Indian the advantages of
civilized life, of agriculture and the arts; and not by bold
attack, but in a sidelong way, introduces his religion. The In
dian is cool-headed, and the Catholic does not try to wake in

174 MEMORIALS OF THE
him religious enthusiasm. He works coolly7; gains slowly;
and soon has the satisfaction of seeing his Indians what he
wanted them to be— civilized men and the adherents of his
church. Cannot Protestants learn a lesson from them? The
Protestant, on the contrary, tries first to make them the
adherents of his church, and hopes and expects that civiliza
tion will follow. The result with the Indians has not been
what the Protestant hoped and prayed for.
Perhaps no man has lived there whose influence was more
felt than that of Mr. Perkins, who bought 600 acres or more
of land at the mouth of the Thornapple in 1852. This land,
and the other lands around it had been cultivated on the " skin
ning" principle until the owners, conquered by the weeds, had
taken down their fences and thrown their fields into common.
Perkins knew the advantage of running the plow more than
four inches deep. He fenced these abandoned eommons; put
in and put down the plow; and showed the first year his 100
bushels of corn, and his 40 bushels of wheat to the acre. This
one lesson he taught the people of Ada, " The gold lies deep
in the ground;" and by that one lesson he doubled the value
of the town. Now, Perkins was not a saint, but he was the
farmer who taught Ada the real value of their lands, and
" civilized" their farming. It is strange that while the pro
phetic bullfrog is always calling out to the farmer " Beam deep!"
he does little more than scratch the surface, and seldom gets
more than fifteen bushels of wheat to the acre; when "beam
deep" gives 40! If you plough your ground with one horse,
one horse can carry off the crop. About ten years ago the
writer was talking with a farmer in Ada— a man, by the way,
who knew more of a good many other things then he did of
farming. This man said his "land was poor; " he could get no good
crops from it; and was told in reply: " Your farm, sir, is one of
good capabilities; it is good land; but I am afraid you do not
know how to persuade it to give its crops." The farmer sbld
that land to one who had before raised forty bushels of wheat
to the acre; and, as he knew what "beam deep" means, he is
getting rich from off his excellent farm. These farms want a

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 175
good deal of severe discipline. When one has put his farm
under proper discipline, it is cheering to see how happy he
looks about harvest time. I wish I owned one thousand acres
of the Ada bottom lands, and knew how to cultivate them !
Then I would get my wife a gold watch, and my daughter a piano.
At a very- early period, Ada was one of the stopping places ;
and a block-house tavern was kept by J. W. Fiske, and after
wards by Gen. Withey. That house did service as a tavern
until as late as 1855, and like Yankee Springs Hotel, was fa
mous. Fiske, the first keeper, now resides in the town of
Grand Rapids, near where he won a name in another log-
house, and where he built a fine brick hotel by the lake, that
bears his name. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
BY REV. B. BOOTH.
Congregational Church of Cascade, organized Sept. 24, 1849, with nine
members, viz:
G. G. Bailey, J. A. Barker, Christina Dennison, E. R. Dennison, Delia G.
Bailey, Hezekiah Howell, Margaret Howell, Caroline Barker, Charles Coger.
The whole numbsr who have joined, up to this date is 92. Number died
and dismissed, 46. Leaving present membership, 46.
Rev. R. J. Hess preached for the chu.rch about three years, after which
there were no services except occasional preaching by Rev. E. Prince, until
Aug., 1851, when Rev. J. Ballard became pastor, and continued three years.
In Aug., 1860, the church took the name, " Congregational Church of Ada,"
and the place of meeting was changed to the village of Ada.
In Oct., 1863, Rev. N. K. Evarts commenced preaching, and continued
three years. He was followed, in Feb., 1867, by Rev. D. L. Eaton, who also
preached three years, occupying the Baptist church. In March, 1870, Rev.
E. Booth commenced preaching, and has continued until the present time.
In 1871, the church commencsd building a house of worship, which was
completed, furnished and dedicated Jan. 10, 1872.
The house is 32 by 50, 18 feet high, Gothic style, frame cased with brick.
and cost — including lot, horse-sheds, bell, stoves, carpets and cushions — about
$3,100. This sum was raised by the people of the place, with the aid of
$300 from Congregational Union, and about $500 from friends abroad and
neighboring churches.
Mrs Margaret Howell is the only one remaining of the original members
of the church.
The church is now free from debt, and in prosperous condition. .
A BIT OF CHURCH HISTORY.
On a recent anniversary occasion the Rev. E. Booth, the

176 MEMORIALS OF THE
worthy pastor of the Ada Congregational Church, preached a
sermon from which the following facts are gleaned:
On the 24th of September, 1849, the Congregational Church
of Cascade was organized with nine members — G. G. Bailey,
Jesse A. Barker, Christina Dennison, E. R. Dennison, Delia
G. Bailey, Hezekiah Howell, Margaret Howell, Caroline Bar
ker, Chas. Cogar. Of these only one. — Margaret Howell —
remains in connection with the church. In April, 1860, the
place of meeting of the church was changed to the village of
Ada, and the name was changed to '¦ Congregational Church .
of Ada," which name it still bears. The church met in the
school-house and afterward in the Baptist church. In the fall
of the year, 1870, it was decided to build a house of worship.
With some assistance from friends at home and abroad, the
effort was successful, and on the 10th of January, 1872, a neat
house was dedicated, costing, with its furniture, bsll, horse-
shed, etc., $3,100. Since that time the church has taken anew
lease of life, and its prospects are brighter than ever before.
During the quarter century of its existence, the church has
enjoyed three revivals; ninety-two names have been placed on
its roll of members. Forty-five of these are still in connection
M-ith the church. As far as known, only five have died. The
church has had five acting pastors — Rgv. R. J. Hess, from 1849
to 1852; Rev. J.Ballard, from 1S59 to 1863; Rtv. N. K.
Evarts, from 1863 to 1867; Rev. D. L. Eaton, from 1867 to
1S70; Rev. E. Booth, from 1870 to 1875. The intervals of
this service have been supplied more or less by transient
preachers. Like most of the Congregational churches of the West, this
church has been fostered by the American Home Missionary
Society, and it is hoped that its moral and pecuniary powers
for good will, in the future, amply repay the prayers, and
labor, and money that have sustained it for the past twenty-
five y7ears. BOWN/E.
The pioneer of Bowne was Jonathan Thomas, who in 1836
entered a large tract of land in the southwest part of the town.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 177
He brought on with him William Woolley, Frederick Thomp
son, Israel Graves, and their families. From Toledo they
came, with ox teams; and were two weeks on the journey.
At this time it was a " new country," but they proceeded to
make themselves comfortable. If you wish to know what it
took to make a man of means comfortable, imagine a log
shanty 12x16, and in it stowed three or four families*. Mr.
Thomas soon found himself unfit for the hardships and priva
tions, to which he had not been inured. He was taken sick,
and was carried back, on a bed, in a sleigh, to New York.
The same man, lying on his bed in a wagon, went to Kalama
zoo,- during the first summer, for wheat, when out of provis
ions. In the spring of 1838, Roswell Tyler and his three sons —
Roswell,LorenB.,and Asahel R., — ventured in; alsoMalcomb
and John McNaughton, who broke up land and put in wheat.
In the fall, Norman Foster and J. C. Beach were added.
Afterwards, in the course of a few years, William Stuart, Jas.
Truax, Daniel C. McYean, Jared Miller, and Abraham Lowe.
Thus its will be seen, that though Bowne was remote from
any of the river points of settlement, it was at an early day
taken possession of. Although there was a scattering of set
tlers along the river before, 1836 was the year when possession
was taken in earnest; and that year witnessed the occupation
of Bowne by Thomas and his band. It was a venture further
from the river than any other of that year.
At first the settlers leaned on Thomas and the Indians.
Thomas had money; they worked for him, clearing his land;
and would sell turnips and potatoes to the Indians; getting
money and venison. Among the Indians then resident was
Pegu — a good-hearted, noble fellow, of whom all speak with
respect and gratitude. He is now at Pentwater ; but would
find himself among friends, should he come back to Bowne.
Another of the early7 Indian favorites of the settlers, was Poka-
nomino, who is now a thriving farmer at Freemont Centre.
The Indians of Cascade, Caledonia and Bowne were a mix
ture of Ottawas and Chippewas. They did not belong to any
mission, and were known as " Robinson's Indians." The old
12

178 MEMORIALS OF THE
leader was Casua, who resided three-quarters of a mile from
Whitney's tavern. He attempted farming. His wife was a
most lady-like woman; held in the highest esteem by > the
whites. A number of their kindred were settled around
them; among whom she was "a good mother." The writer
well recollects the first and only time he saw her. She was
riding* her pony, on her homeward journey from Grand Rap
ids. We remarked to the man in company that she was " a
respectable looking squaw," and received the answer : " She is
a venerable woman." In fact, human dignity does not de
pend on complexion or race; and we are happy to notice, that
peoplei with souls are beginning to appreciate that fact. What
makes the difference? What color is a human soul? In
former times, the British military uniform was scarlet. An
officer met a little negro boy in the street, and showed his sense
of disgust. Little darkey put his thumb on his nose, and
said: " You was as black as I be till you was biled." Little
nig was a philosopher, and had seen lobsters, living and
eooked. And let me ask you, who look with lofty self-com
placency on your white skin, as your patent of nobility, and
with contempt on the one who is of a different hue, are you
a gentleman, or are you merely a boiled lobster ? But in our
wise reflections, we have strayed from Bowne. Hevenons a
nos moutons.
There were some troubles with the Indians, due to whisky.
But, on the whole, they made themselves useful; and, indeed,
they were indispensable. Their hospitality was hearty and
sincere, and, where they professed friendship, it was true and
reliable. The Indian, uncorrupted by association with the
baser element of the whites, is chivalrously honorable, honest
and true. His friendship or his enmity i3 reliable. He don't
smile in your face and stab in the back. He don't ask the
question, "Can I conveniently do this stranger the favor
asked?" So the settlers in Bowne found them, and they re
member the Indians with respect and gratitude.
What an event to the early settler is " going to mill!" We
now have the saying, " As plain as the road to mill;" as though
going to mill was as simple a thing as going to the barn. ¦ Let

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 179
us go to mill with Mr. Thompson once, in 1837. It was to go
to Kalamazoo with- oxen, through the woods; camp out, and
get along as he found himself able. His oxen strayed away;
and with his journey and hunting his oxen, he got back in eight
days. His wife, wearied with waiting, and fearing danger, set
out on foot and alone to find her husband, and met him return
ing. A specimen of an old bachelor met her on the way, who,
on learning why she was so far from home, and so earnest, said,
" I, too, would marry if I could get such a wifei" There are,
even now, some women who consider their husband a part of
self.. We won't say "God- bless the man who has such," for
God has anticipated the prayer.
A little episode of these times , may illustrate the primitive
way of dealing with sinners. A specimen of that genus had
stolen some money from Mr. Campau. They caught him, and
chained him up in the barn at Whitney's tavern. Then Whit
ney and Campau matured their plan. , Campau was to disap
pear, which he did, but put himself where he could see the
sport. Whitney went to the rascal, told him Campau had gone for
an officer, and that it would go hard with him; that he (Whit
ney) wished to befriend him, and would let him go before Cam
pau got back, if .he would clear out. He told him to take the
shortest cut to the woods, and having got under cover, to put
distance behind him as fast as possible. This the fellow upon
his sacred, honor promised to do. Whitney then undid the
padlock that held him chained; he shot, for the woods, and was
seen no more. In the meantime the two were holding their
sides until he was out of hearing; and then they exploded. By
the way, who ever repented of telling a lie to a thief? -
A pair of panthers were seen by Mr.- Thomas, between
Bowne and Middleville. They were afterwards seen by two
men who had rifles^ near Ball Prairie, on the Thornapple;
but the men dared, not shoot. These panthers have been traced
across the southern part of Ionia county, where they were
repeatedly'' seen;- across the southern part of Kent county, to
Tahnadge, in Ottawa county, where one of them -was killed ;
the other has maintained an alibi ever since. In speaking of

180 MEMORIALS OF TOE
the beasts of the forest, this pair of panthers are the only ones
spoken of by the old settlers as having been seen. It is
doubtful if that beast was ever anything but a stranger and a
pilgrim in Michigan. The settlers can tell bear and wolf
stories until they cease to interest; but all we can hear of the
dreaded panther is of this one pair, and they were a couple of
cowardly sneaks, probably expelled from society and ashamed
to be seen ; their most daring exploit being to chase a defense
less boy, and be scared by his shout.
By reference to what is said of Caledonia, it will be seen
that Bowne w-as united with that, town until 1849. The set
tlement had been slow, and it seems that but few voters par
ticipated in the first election.
The first meeting was at school-house No. 1, the first Mon
day in April.
Elected: Supervisor, Roswell F. Tyler; Clerk, Daniel C.
McYean; Treasurer, Justus C. Beach; Justices, Daniel Mc
Naughton, Jared Miller, Norman Foster.
Sixteen names are on the record, in addition to those above:
Henry C. Foster, Frederick Thompson, Abijah Pool, John A.
Campbell, Loren B. Tyler, James H. Truax, Asahel R. Tyler,
Wm. Gibson and John Underwood.
Since the organization of the town its progress has been a
steady one of filling up and developing as an agricultural
town. Its first saw-mill was built on Sec. 36, in 1855; its
only grist-mill was put up by A. D. Thomas in 1862.
The first census we have of the town is that of 1854, when
the population was 357.
The progress of filling up can be seen by referring to the
summary of the census returns. The U. S. census, of 1850,
makes no mention of Bowne. In 1845, the two towns num
bered 127; in 1850, Caledonia, 99.
At the present writing (1875) several of the pioneers are
living and resident. Norman Foster, a quiet, sensible,
straightforward man, died in 1870. ' Asahel Kent died in'
1840, and John P. McNaughton, in 1841. Roswell C. Beach
closed the life of a worthy citizen in 1862. John Underwood
died in 1868. Malcomb P. McNaughton died many years ago.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 181
The survivors iff the earlier days are still a band of brothers,
bound by the ties of long ago. As age silvers their hair, they
more and more live over the days " lang-syne," when far in
the wilds they drank deep of the fraternal spirit. It is a no
ticeable fact that if any of these pioneers of Bowne had a fault,
the survivors have forgotten it. They are eloquent in praise,
but speak of no failings. They partake of the spirit of the

" I know not, I ask not, if guilt's in this heart;
I but know that I love thee, whatever thou art."
It may seem that a very inappropriate use is made of the
beautiful lines of Moore; but just live ten years in the woods,
with a few scattered neighbors, and then tell me if " love " is
too strong a word to express your feelings towards those who
were your companions in seclusion. I shall make no apology
to the old fellows in Bowne, for they told me so themselves.
Speak disrespectfully of one of their forest companions, and
see if they don't flare. BYRON.
Byron is an outgrowth from the Grandville settlement. By
a reference to what is said of Wyoming, it will be seen that
Grandville was one of the earliest settled places on the Grand
River; that the organization of the town was coincident with
the organization of the county. The two townships, five and
six, north range, twelve west, were made a town, with the
name, Byron. In this union they continued until 1848, when
a separation was effected; the southern town retaining the
original name; the other assuming the name of Wyoming.
The fact that Byron was a heavily timbered township, re
tarded its occupation. The openings to the first settlers
seemed more inviting; there was free passage; and the labor
of clearing, and getting in a crop, was comparatively small.
For these reasons the heavy timbered lands, which experience
has proved to be the best in general, were not the first sought.
Let us not, gentle reader, reprove their lack of sagacity. You
or I, under similar circumstances, would have done as they did.

182 MEMORIALS OF THE
The land for some miles frpm the river was of the class
called "openings;" further back, on either side were "tim
bered lands." As the character, of the openings has changed,
so that nothing of the kind is now seen in the settled parts of
Michigan ; and as the generation of those who have grown up
in the region, have seen nothing of the sort, it may not be
considered amiss to give a description of the "openings"
lands. Looking at any piece of oak woods, two distinct growths
will be observed; one of very scattering large trees, and the
other a thick growth of smaller ones. The large trees were
all that was on the land when the region was first . occupied.
The land was "open;" no fallen timber, and nothing but the
very scattered oak trees: to obstruct the view. A wagon or
load of' hay: could be driven anywhere.
The settler had only7 to cut down or "girdle " the scattered
oaks, put in the plow with a strong team; and soxvhis ground.
' Neither the " openings " nor the "prairies" were natural.
They were the result of the Indian practice of burning over
the lands ; with the double object of making them more open,
so that they could see their game, and rendering the region
more -healthy. Where the fires killed the whole of the wood,
the result was a prairie: Where they only killed the young
growth, it was an. opening; just as good for Indian purposes:
Where the undergrowth was oak or hickory, the fires killed
only so* much as was above the ground, leaving the root to
sprout up again. ¦ This gave rise to what received the name of
"grubs,?' that is, strong, heavy roots, with only an insignifi*
cant bush growing from them. The root of a shrub an inch
in diameter would be sufficient for a tree of several inches;
and would haye a spreading top, like a mushroom. ' A firfe run
ning through would kill all these young bushes. In a year or
so1 all would be clear. In general there was nothing which
could not be out with the brush-scythe, or torn up by the
plow. • -'i
- There were • two ways of preparing the ground for a crop;
The first has been indicated — with a strongteam "break "the
land, alidpull out the roots, partly by the harrow, and partly

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 183
by hand. The. second way, to "grub" the ground, or dig out
each root with an instrument made for that purpose.
This was the more laborious and better way, as it left the
land in a better condition to receive the crop. A breaki no-
team of three or four yoke of oxen could "break" an acre in
a day, but tliere was still all the labor of " pulling out." A
stout man would " grub" with his mattock and ax, an acre
in a week. A class of men in early times owned teams and
made a business of "breaking." Those, who could not pay
the " breakers," or who wished their land earlier under good
culture, "grubbed." The openings are a thing of the past;
therefore, this explanation.
Again, the early settlers had not been backwoodsmen. They
came from a region, cleared by their fathers, and were little
accustomed to the use of the ax. To them a heavy standing
growth of timber, and the great fallen trees, were formidable.
A tree was not then, as now, a little, mine of wealth, but it was
a nuisance — to be got rid of, and that, too, by the hardest labor.
Therefore, we will not censure the wisdom of the pioneers for
their preferring the openings to what they well knew would
prove to be the better " timbered lands."
It required a little nerve to push into South Byron; a few
settlers were early tliere. It is not now known that any one
located before 1836, when several came into the northern part
of the township. : Three brothers — Nathan, Jerry and Wil
liam Boynton; another "three brothers" — Justus O, Jacob
and Charles Rogers. It is generally conceded that Nathan
Boynton was the first. He proceeded to put up his " palace1'
—split logs for roof and floor, with clay and sticks for a
chimney. We have called it his " palace," and not without rea-
son$ for every old pioneer confirms the fact, that his first
rude shelter had more attractions in his eyes, then any house
that subsequent good fortune enabled him to build, and, we
believe them,) Go into the woods yourself, camp under trees
until you can get tip a 12x20 log house, wjith a fire place in it,
and then-see if your dreams, the first '-night you are in it, are
not of a palace — your own home. Ah, ray dear sir, or madam,
log houses were before painted verandas, and sand was used
before carpets.

184 MEMORIALS OF THE
Mr. Rogers brought some means with him, so that he could
hire much done, and in two years we find him harvesting 100
acres of wheat, which he sold for 37£ cents a bushel.
Slowly one after another ventured into the timber, to combat
with the forest, to conquer a home and a farm. In 1837, we
have Harmon Kellogg, John Harmon ; and in 1838, Harvey
Kibby, Ella Judson, Hiram Lockwood, Alden Coburn,
Benjamin Robinson, Ephraim Chamberlain, Wm. R. God
win and Cyrus Jones. It is not absolutely certain that all of
these came in 1838. The memory of the survivors does not
always agree. They came about that time.
In the y-ears immediately following, came Charles Lane,
(transient), James B. Jewell, Amalek Taylor, Joseph Gallop,
Larkin Ball, Eli Crossett, Peter Goldin, Wm. Olmsted, Henry
A. Yan Nest, Samuel Hnbbell — only one or two a yrear. As
late as 1844, the south part of Byron was an unoccupied wild.
In that year Ezekiel Cook settled near the southwest corner,
and had no neighbors nearer than four miles.
The settlement of the town was so slow, that for ten years
some one was a pioneer in some part of it. We cannot follow
each one, neither is it necessary. This one fact is patent:
that it was twelve years after the first settlors came in before
they had inhabitants enough to feebly commence as a town by
themselves. The reason has been given above.
The recollections are that 1846-7, were the years of real
occupancy, and the records of the votes of old a._d new Byron
indicate that there was quite an influx in 1847.
In 1847, the vote for supervisor in the town, as then (Byron
and Wyoming), was seventy, when, it is well known, the prin
cipal vote was at and around Grandville. Upon the organiz
ing of the new town in 1848, the vote was fifty-two, which
indicates that either in 1847 the south Byron voters stayed at
home, or that many settlers came in in 1847. In new towns
voters go to town meeting. That is their holiday.
Indicative of the relative population of Wyoming and
Byron, at the settlement bstween the two towns, May, 1848,
Byron received 28 1-10 per cent, of the money on hand.
At the gubernatorial election in the fall of 1847, the vote of

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 185
the two towns was ninety-three. In 1850, the population was
309. A reference to the census reports will show that it then
filled up rapidly.
Byron is essentially au agricultural town. It has two little
villages — Corinth and Byron Center — both of which sprung up
around mills.
Corinth (formerly Cody's Mills) is on the line between Gaines
and Byron, partly in each town, and is a hamlet of about twenty-
five houses. It originated with three brothers by the name
of Cody, who, in 1866, put up steam grist and saw mills.
They did business about three years. The, mills then passed
through several hands, and were unsuccessfully operated. In
1872, they became the property of Isaac D. Hazen and W. R.
Russell, who have successfully carried on the business since.
In 1869, a furniture factory was started by a joint-stock com
pany. The company did a good business one year, when the
factory was burned. The company re-built, bnt failed to make
the concern a success, and broke up, deeply involved. The
village has at present no prospect of growth — is a pleasant
little country center.
The other village — Byron Center — is of recent origin. In
1871, Mr. Towner built a saw-mill for cutting hard lumber.
In 1872, he platted a village by his mill. Stores, shops, etc.,
naturally clustered themselves there, as there was the mill and
the railroad station. At present, the village has about twen
ty-five houses. A Methodist church was built in 1873.
The old settlers have a good many stories to tell about the
wolves. These sneaky pests were thickest in the shady timber.
They were seldom dangerous, but at times were provokingly
impudent. The writer has not heard of any one being killed
by wolves in the Grand River Yalley, though many have been
obliged to fight them, or take to a tree. Singly, the wolf was
despised ; in packs, they were dangerous. A good club, a reso
lute eye, and a shout, generally7, in the daytime, would disperse
the reprobates. It was not safe to be surrounded by them in the
night, as James M. Barney7, of Byron, learned in 1850. He, un
willing, that his cow should be beef for wolves, after listening
to what they said one night by his yard, sallied out with some-

186 MEMORIALS OF THE
what more wrath than discretion, to argue the question of the
ownership of said cow. The wolves*' seeing vengeance in his
eye, and a shooting iron in his hand, did not stop to argue the
case, but retreated to the bushes, keeping all the time one eye
on Barney. He, thinking wicked words, entered the bushes;
and there the wolves, abandoning their claim to the cow, de
bated with him until broad daylight, whether he should not be
mutton for wolves. He used all his eloquence to. prove that
man was not made for wolves, using his gun as his .aid, and he
got his case.
One of the stray panthers,. otherwise spoken. of as having
traversed the south part of Ionia and Ottawa counties, was
seen in. Byron, but there was no adventure with it.
In the spring of 183'6, a tornado did some damage in Byron
and Paris. In Byron, it blew down the house of J. C. Rogers;
and in Paris, that of Cyrus Jones. No one was seriously in
jured, though several were badly scared. Who wouldn't be?
The humble writer got mixed up in one once, and while the
trees were crashing on all sides, gave a specimen of magnifi
cently tall walking. He has never since wished to look a tor-'
nado in the face, and speaks of them with trembling respect.
We like the balmy air, and the gentle breeze, and we respect
the strong gale. But when the air gets its back up,, and is in
a whirlwind of passion, we forget poetic sentiment; at least
that was the case with the writer.
The first organization of Byron. is given in the, history of
Wyoming. CASCADE.
Cascade was a part of Ada until 1848. The first town
meeting was held at. the house of Wm. S. Gunn, April 3d,
1848-; Harry Clark, Moderator; J. R. Stewart, Clerk. The
first officers were:
Peter Teeple, Supervisor; J. R. Stewart, Clerk; Asa Den
nison, Treasurer; Leonard Stewart, Zerra Whitney, Justices.
Number of voters present, 50.
One* hundred dollars voted for town expenses.
Cascade did not claim an independent existence ;.at so early

GRAND RIVEE VALLEY. 187
a stage as many other towns j content to be a part of a town
until it was some evidence, of respectability, tq, be, a town
officer. : Its pioneer occupation dates from 1836— the year of the
rush of land-seekers -into the Yalley. n First came Lewis Cook,
followed the same year by, Peter and .George Teeple, and
Hiram Laraway.
; In 1837, the only person who is known to have, settled in
the town is Edward Linen,,, the pioneer Irishman,; soon, fol
lowed by more of his countrymen, who have proved the, advan
tages that ^result, to the sons of overcrowded Ireland, when they
leave their country for their own: and their conn try 's; good;
their own, for they Can fincLa.Jiome, competence, wealth and
respect; their .country's, for each, one rleaving gives better
chance and wages to those who remain.
It is hard for a mamwhose sole capital is a nervous body, to
achieve property and position > where labor hegs,, employment.
A British statesman once said in parliament, ;"It is no mys
tery to me how the man with a thousand pounds can increase
it to a million; but it is a mystery how a man, commencing
with nothing, can obtain athonsand pounds.^, The Irish peas
ant knows full well that in Ireland he -cataoot be respectable
without property; and that there, property is practically be
yond his reach. He know-s of .a land across the sea, where he
can be a man among men. Cascade shows some of the
results. Mr^ Linen was not long, the only Irishman in Cascade, for
the next year several more took up land in the, town: James
May, David Petted, John Farrell, James Annis, Wm. Annis,
Michael Matthews, Patrick, Christopher and .Michael Eardley.
.; ,¦ Of these, James May, Edward Linenand Michael Matthews
are still res-dent* men of meanSi-and respectability. ,
David Petted died: in 1870.
, James Annis died in 1865.
William Annis> was frozen to,deathinil861-;. founds snowed
under, a mile from his. home.
Patrick Eardley died in 1855.
Christopher Eardley. removed; to, LaPorte^Ind., and tliere d ied.

188 MEMORIALS OF THE
Michael Eardley was a good scholar, educated for a priest.
He held town offices — was respected and looked up to. He
died in 1870.
The same year (1838) brought Frederick A. Marsh, whose
tragic death, in 1846, sent a thrill of horror through the town.
Returning from Grand Rapids, he was thrown from his wagon,
and killed.
Hiram Laraway also came to a premature and unnatural
death. He perished by cold, between his home and Ada, in
the winter of 1841-2. Of him we know little. His widow,
" Aunt Mary Laraway," the sister of the Teeples, lived until
1869, a model of virtue and amiability — bravely enduring
hardships — training her sons and daughters as only a good
mother can. God bless such a woman! But there is no need
of that prayer, for God always does that; and blesses those who
have the happiness to call her "mother;" and St. Peter, who
holds the keys, with his hat in his hand, makes to her his best
bow, as she enters the gate. Blessed is the memory such a
woman leaves behind — the choicest legacy to her children, in
whose souls she is enshrined a saint. She was killed by
falling from a cherry tree, in the summer of 1869.
The brothers Teeple are still honored residents ofthe town;
they have been among the most prominent citizens; have been
looked to as "all right;" and it is still customary to "swear
by Teeple."
From 1838, the town filled up steadily and slowly. The date
of the advent of each is a matter of little interest; settlers came
dropping in, one by one; among whom we note: Zerra Whit
ney, with his four sons — Peter, Ezra, Oscar and Chester — who
arrived in 1841, and originated Whitney ville, long a noted
stopping place on the wilderness road between Battle Creek
and Ada. Mr. Whitney, Sr., was elected the first Justice of
the Peace, and everybody knew him. He died in Wayland,
Allegan county, in 1873. These sons of Whitney came with
families, and have all. either died or deserted, leaving nothing
but a name attached to a portion of a town. Well, a name
and a fame are all we can leave. How few leave anything.
Oscar died in 1848; the others moved to other parts.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 189
184:2 brought Edward D. Gove, from Massachusetts, and he
stays in Cascade yet; also, Chauncey Sears, with his two sons,
Horace and Austin. The venerable patriarch is still in town,
and so is Austin. Horace is in Caledonia. About this time
also came Eber Moffit (who died in '68), and the brothers.
Michael and Joseph Cronninger, who now live in Caledonia,
The first postoflice was established in 1847, at Whitney ville ;
Wm. C. White, postmaster. The first quarter's postage
amounted to $2.25. For several years the postoflice at Bowne
took its mail from Whitney ville; it was carried in a little
bag, suspended to a boy's neck. There Avas then dignity in
the office of postmaster. The lofty individual who could put
P. M. after his name, had to live upon the dignity, and not
the emoluments of the office.
At this time there were but three occupied houses for six
miles south. Eastward for ten miles there was but one
settler. The first school was near Cook's Corners, and was taught by
Miss Matilda Hill, in 1840. She was the sister of Perry Hill,
of Grand Rapids. The log house built for that school, was
burned down in a few years.
Mr. Aickley, spoken of as a pioneer in other towns, was the
first to hold meetings in the town.
What is said in connection with the town of Paris, about
the cold winter, is equally applicable to Cascade. Three feet
of snow falling in November, and the remembrance of that
buried by succeeding falls, made an impression on the bones
and sinews of the settlers at the time; and on their memories
afterwards. But they lived through it, and saved most of
their cattle.
A more than passing notice is due to the memory of Asa W.
Dennison, who, with his brother Gideon W. (Uncle Gid.),
came in the spring of 1845. Dennison was a man of sterling
worth; a leading official man in the town; respected and
looked up to. He was killed by a kick from a horse in 1857.
In 1849, the Rev. Eli Prince — a man whom ill-fortune had
followed, opened a small store in Cascade village. He was a
man of large stature, genial in his nature, public-spirited, true

190 MEMORIALS OF THE
and honorable. He identified himself with every good work
that was going on. He was unflinching in duty, yet was
more led by generous instincts than by the sense of obligation.
The children learned to court his smile and gentle word. The
people made of him a factotum, for they had learned to look
to his ever willing heart in seasons of rejoicing or of sorrow-
His life illustrated the beauty of an unselfish soul, true to
the pale star of principle. He died in 1862; aged, 65. As
in life he sought not himself, so, when dead, he directed that
no monument should mark his grave. He lies thus in a ceme
tery, which he gave to the town. But the people of Cascade
will .not forget where "Elder Prince" is buried.
Cascade village is a small hamlet, clustered around the mills,
the central place of the business of the town. The Thornap
ple River here gives a good water-power, whieh may be made
to do more service tha» at present it is compelled to do.
Whitneyville, so called, is not a village, but simply a public
house, where in days past it was hoped a village would be.
Cascade does not invest much in the externals of religion.
The Catholics have a small church, built in 1856. The Meth
odists, United Brethren and Christians have a foothold, and
keep up organizations.
Since the mineral spring fancy took hold of Michigan, Cas
cade has been one of the places, to which the sick have resorted
to use the " healing waters." The springs have established a
reputation for curing many diseases, and are resorted to by
seekers of health. Fashion has not made it a resort, as they
have not the facilities for making the place attractive. They7
have no buildings as yet but a simple bath-house.
One little story of olden times in Cascade is too good to be
lost; illustrating the fact that "human natur" among the
ancients was as vicious and as simple as among the moderns.
A Mr. S— ., one of those honest, simple-hearted men, that
sinners always delight to play practical jokes upon, had a
horse, which he wished to exchange for a yoke of oxen. He
heard that in another part of the town was a man, who wished
to exchange a yoke of oxen for a horse. So he saddled his
pony, rode over, and made the bargain. The question now was,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 191
how to get home the saddle. The man, who now had the
horse, told him to put' it on one of the oxen ; and to get on
himself and ride ; that the ox was used to being ridden. S—
saddled the ox and mounted to go home. The ox took to his
heels; and there was no mane to cling to. The saddle slipped
over behind the ox, dragging S — by the stirrups, to the im
minent peril of his life. Seeing that death or release must
come, by a desperate effort he got free, with a poor opinion of
his ox as a saddle beast. He said that when he was dragging
at the heels of the beast, he promised his Maker, if he ever
got out of that scrape alive, he would never ride an ox again;
a vow which he religiously kept.
CALEDONIA.
Caledonia was organized as a township, May 4th, 1840, at
the house of Peter McNaughton. The town at its organiza
tion consisted of what is now Caledonia and Bowne. The
first officers were:
John P. McNaughton, Supervisor; Justus C. Beach. Clerk;
Norman Foster, Treasurer; J. C. Beach, Loren B. Tyler, Mal-
comb P. McNaughton, Asahel Kent, Justices.
One hundred and fifty dollars was raised for town expenses.
. The following names of voters are found on the record; and,
as a specimen, showing how easy it was " to get office " in
early days, the number of offices, to which each was elected, is
set against the name:
John P. McNaughton, 1; Roswell Tyler, 4; Justus G.
Beach, 3; Malcomb P. McNaughton, 2; Loren B. Tyler, 1;
John A. Campbell, 2; Asahel Kent, 2; Asahel Tyler, 1; Nor
man Foster, 3; Wm. B. Thompson, 1.
All went home with their official honors thick upon them.
None of them could put on airs, or refuse to let their children
play with those of their neighbors; for they too were officers'
children. The town was reorganized by act of Legislature in 1869.
In 1838, Mr. Asahel Kent conceived the idea of a publie
house in the wilderness, on the Battle Creek trail. He
accordingly came to Caledonia, then merely T. 5 N., R. 6

192 MEMORIALS OF THE
W., and opened the "Kent House," which soon became
famous. And why? There was the jolly landlord, and his
smiling dame, ever ready to welcome the weary traveler to a
good fire, a smoking dinner, and a home-like, social visit.
What though the house was of logs, and the lodgings per
haps a shed, — the welcome was genial, the fare good, and
" Kent's Tavern" became an institution where one was sure of
good cheer; and where he "stopped again." The viands we're
not dealt out on the principle, so manifest at some of our
restaurants, where each waiter seems to think he is a priest,
administering the sacrament. The table was " heaped " with
what was good, and the beaming landlord, having cut the
meat into huge slices, would say7, "Lay to, and help your
selves, gentlemen and ladies; no ceremony here." It seemed
to be his delight to feed the hungry. The greater their appe
tites, and the faster his victuals disappeared, the more beam
ing was his look. He loved to see his guests enjoy them
selves, and the long breath of perfect satisfaction and full
ness, as they withdrew from the table, was music to his ear.
Kent, the bountiful, soon passed away, with many blessings
on his head, and his widow (as widows often do) married
again. But she didn't leave the house. No. She and her
husband, Peter McNaughton, still kept up the establishment,
which became as famous as " McNaughton's " as it had been
as "Kent's."
This tavern is a thing of memory. The opening of other
lines of travel caused the Battle Creek trail or road to be
deserted, and the tavern died the death of the righteous.
After a while, one after another, dropped in the settlers
who came to live from the soil. Kent had fed the hungry, and
lodged the weary; his residence alone breaking the monotony
of interminable woods. James Minsy came to raise something
to feed himself and children, in 1839. Soon followed Orse-
mus Rathbun, Lyman Gerold, Hiram McNiel, Eber Moffit, .
Peter McNaughton, Levi Tobey, John Sinclair, Henry Jack
son, and Warren S. Hale. The exact date of the advent of
each is not known,, neither is it important. Some of them
were after 1840. The names already given are probably all

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 193
who were in Caledonia and Bowne, at the time of its organi
zation as a town. For a number of years but few came to
stay, though many passed that road, for it was on the "Battle
Creek Stage Route." Fancy not, gentle reader, that this " stage
route" was a smooth McAdam road, with its toll-gate once in
ten miles. It was merely a trail in the wilderness, with here
and there an otherwise impassable place made passable. The
stage was a heavy wagon, covered with painted cotton cloth.
The road was dotted at long intervals by the settler's cabin.
There were Gull Prairie, Slater's Indians and Yankee Springs,
on the way- ; as for the rest, it was " timbered lands " and
" openings." Yet this was the " thoroughfare " until the open
ing of the Kalamazoo Plank Road, in 1852. Then the genial
landlord, Lewis, at Yankee Springs had to go to the Legisla
ture, or be forgotten ; for his famous log tavern was deserted
Then the McNaughton house ceased to pay. Campau, and
the other drivers cracked their whips for the last, time; and
looked to some business other than driving and tipping over
stages, for a living.
Many are the adventures on that route; our own among the
number. Among others we note that of our fellow citizen,
H. P. Yale. He went to sleep on the way, and in the midst
of his pleasant dreams, the stage gave a lurch and landed him,
heels up, head and shoulders in the mud. He gathered up
the fragments of himself, rubbed the mud from his eyes, and
laughed, of course. At another time the driver had the honor,
in a dark night, of tipping into a mud-hole, John Ball, Mrs.
T. B. Church and her baby Fred. Fred came near being
drowned, or smothered in the mud; and then the country would
have lost an embryo soldier, who was too proud to accept office, ,
though commissions were thrust upon him; and art would
have lost one, whose quaint conceits are a part of the spirit of
Harper. Our own adventures on the route might be passed,
as perhaps of every day occurrence — a simple break-down,
where a jolly song by Capt. Parks was cut short at the second
verse; and to this day remains unsung. The driver was the
same Edward Campau, whose pleasant residence is now where
he can overlook the scene of that catastrophe. There he, with
13

194 MEMORIALS OF THE
his fair wife — Yankee Lewis' daughter — his cattle and his
herds, is a well-to-do farmer; and is happy to welcome to his
home those whom he tipped over on the Battle Creek road.
Long life to you, Edward ! And may your soul never be less
open, or your home less blessed.
We must, at one fell swoop, come down to 1846, when a man
arrived, who " meant business ;" who, seeing" the fine water-
power afforded by the Thornapple river, determined to
monopolize that power; and to a great extent he did. Where
he saw power, he purchased the land. His name was William
H. Brown. Among his doings was putting up the first saw
mill; and, in company with W. S. Hale, the first grist-mill;
around which has sprung up the village of Alaska. Brown
laid out the village in 1866.
This Mr. Brown had an adventure, which, at the time, he
wished he was well out of. Returning in the winter from his
possessions in Caledonia to his home in Middleville, in a
night of darkness and storm, he got lost. In the snow
he lost the trail; and had no way but to leave his pony
to its instincts. But he soon found himself sinking into
that sleep which is the precursor of death from cold. He
-dismounted, and walked backward and forward until morn
ing, to keep himself alive. With the coming of light, he
trusted to his horse; for he, himself, had no idea of direc
tion. His horse took him to Green Lake. There he was
tracked, and found by those who searched for him, expecting
to find him dead. We are not told what vows of reform he
made in this dismal journey, but it is presumed that they
were many and sincere. Neither are we told that he had any
evil ways to reform. But how natural it is in trouble to think
over all our sins, promising reformation, if spared, with time
effectually to repent. Who ever knew of a blaspheming repro
bate, who did not pray and promise, when he saw death look
ing him right in the face? And who ever knew the halter
to press the neck of one who had not reformed and become a
a saint? What a good thing is danger to bring sinners to
their knees! A pious negro woman had in vain tried to make
her little woolly-headed sinner of a son say his prayers. But

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 195
the reprobate would sing " Jim along Josy," instead of, with
eyes closed and clasped hands, saying " Now I lay me down to
sleep." She had exhorted him, whipped him, prayed at him,
scolded him, and taught him to say his prayers; but ho
wouldn't pray, and she was forlorn. One day she heard hi in
screaming, and running to the door, she saw the old cow had
him between her horns, butting him against the fence, and he
was screaming in his fright "O Lordy! O Lordy!" She
clapped her hands with delight, and said "Bress de Lord!
the old cow has brought him to his prayers," and left the cow
to finish his conversion in her own way. History does not
tell whether Johnny became a saint; but it is to be presumed
he did; and that he was swung into heaven at the end of a,
rope. The village of Alaska has been mentioned as an outgrowth
from the enterprise of Mr'. Brown. It is where it may be con
siderable of a place, and it has already made a fair beginning.
The water-power is first-rate, and is capable of further develop
ment. The water can be used several times in a short
distance. As years pass on, Michigan will turn her attention
more to manufactures, and then the Thornapple will be dotted
with Yankee notion factories; and Alaska do business in a
thousand of the gimcracks that are the wealth of the land of
wooden nutmegs and steady habits.
There is a Baptist church at Alaska, and a Methodist church
in the central part of the town.
The G. R. Yalley Railroad crosses the southwest corner of
the town. A small village is there, which has made a begin
ning in the way of using the power at its disposal.
On the farm of Ed. Campau is a noted beaver-dam, which
once made a pond of several acres. The dam is in two parts;
one eighty and the other sixty yards in length. Its height
was apparently three feet or more. By the rotting of the
material, and the trampling of cattle, it is now a simple ridge
of earth, a foot or more in height. It is built on a spring
marsh. Near the middle of the dam is a kind of island of
solid earth. Taking the height of the dam on that, and
where at the ends it is on solid earth, the general height must

196 MEMORIALS OF THE
have been about three feet. This great work of beavers is
not near as long as the one in Tyrone, but it was a "big
thing" for so small animals to build.
CANNON".
Until 1846 Cannon was identified with Plainfield, being in
no haste to assume independent existence. Its population at
that time was near 300. The village of Cannonsburg had
been named before; and the town took its name from the
founder of the village. The Legislature gave the name
Churchtown, which the town never assumed, but organized
under the self-assumed name of Cannon, the first Monday in
April, 1846. The first meeting was at the house of Cornelius
Slaght; 64 voters.
Supervisor, Andrew Watson; Clerk, Henry H. Worden;
Treasurer, Louis D. Dean; Justices, Harlow T. Judson, John
Bishop, Demas Hine, Jarred Spring.
Settlement commenced in the town in 1837, Andrew Wat
son and A. D. W. Stout were the first to locate. In 1838, Isaac
Tomlinson put in his appearance; and in 1839, Wm. M. Mil
ler. The real settlement of the town, however, dates from
1840. The few scouts, before mentioned, had opened the way,
and this year se tiers in numbers followed, among whom (if
they were not the whole) were James Thomas, Ethiel Whitney,
Zebulon Rood, Japhet Gilman. In 1841 were added, Henry
M. Miller, Ebenezer Smith, Samuel Steele, Oliver Lovejoy, the
Rev. Mr. Frieze.
In the few succeeding years we find, Ames Griswold,
John Hartwell, James Dockery, Loyal Palmer, Martin John
son, Cornelius Wample, Wm. C. Young, John C. Chapman,
Robert Howard, Major Worden, Mindrus Whitney, Thomas
B. Young, Sidney S. Haskins, H. E. McKee, John French,
brothers Richard, Abram, William and Eli Lewis, Leonard
S. Young, Jared Spring, Joseph Lameraux, John Rogers,
Smith Bailey, Harrison Pitcher, Philip Thomas, Zeph Adams,
Thomas Hall, Norman Aikley, Smith Bailey.
Of these, the monuments in the cemeteries say — Died:
William Lewis, 1853, aged 38 years.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 197
Harlow T. Judson, 1865, aged 62 years.
Hugh E. McKee, 1855, aged 44 years.
Joseph Lameraux, 1858, aged 58 years.
Sidney S. Haskins, 1854, aged 47 years.
John Hartwell, 1872, aged 77 years.
Demas Hine, 1872, aged 66 years.
The village of Cannonsburg owes its first existence to E. B.
Bostwick, who, as agent of LeGrand Cannon, an Eastern man
who owned large tracts of land in the town, in 1843, made
preparations for erecting a mill, platted a village, and put up a
few log houses. This Bostwick has left his name in more than
one place in Kent county, and to the credit of Cannon they
have given it to one of their beautiful lakes. To manage the
business, and build the mill, came Sidney Haskins; Harlow T.
Judson as millwright, Samuel Jones as boss of the concern,
and Cornelius Slaght. Haskins was the first one who cut
down a tree at the place. A log Jiouse was built for him
and his family. In the spring a small frame building was put
up for a store and dwelling (now the back part of Ellis' store).
Before that the log store had also been the residence of Slaght
and Haskins, and their families, each having one room. Close
quarters, but that was the best the place afforded, and it be
hooved them to be content.
As an inducement to settlers, lots were gi/oen to those who
would improve them. The blacksmith put up his shop there;
the shoemaker came; the carpenter built his house there; a
doctor there displayed his sign. A school-house was located
there. A lawyer came and looked — -thought there were not
people enough to make their quarrels profitable to him, and
located at Grand Rapids. In fine, a little, snug village scat
tered itself on the hills around the mill and modest store. At
present they are left out in the cold by the railroads, those all-
controlling directors of the destinies of places. Yet they have
hopes from a railroad that is in their mind's eye; and then —
and then — they hope to put on airs! They have a fine, steady,
but limited water-power, which is capable of being much fur
ther developed. They have a beautiful and varied site; fine,
romantic surroundings; and they are not without hope. In

198 MEMORIALS OF THE
the village are a good union school-house, a Methodist and a
Congregational church.
The aforesaid LeGrand Cannon, after whom the town was
named " Cannon," presented the town a cannon, as his thank-
offering for the compliment paid him in naming the town
" Cannon." And ever since, the inhabitants of Cannon, in all
their jubilations, cause that cannon to wake the echoes of the
town of Cannon.
" Nevertheless," (as H. W. Beecher said,) the greatest beauty
of the town is in her unrivaled lakes. The two^-Silver Lake
and Bostwick Lake — for their crystal waters and beach-like
shores, may challenge comparison with anything of the kind
in the world. To see them is to admire. The shade of Bost
wick cannot but be weil pleased that this lake is his memento
on earth; and my shade, when I shall have become a shade,
would rejoice could the name of the other be called its name
and memento. O ye Cannonburgers, cause that to be true,
and I will give you a bigger puff than your cannon gives you
oil the 4th of July. Yes, indeed; I will soar into poetry.
Less beautiful lakes than these are Loch Lomond and Loch
Katrine, that so often have waked the poet's song; and a far
less beautiful one near Grand Rapids is the pride of the place,
a fashionable resort, and the center of their rural pleasures.
When that railroad comes along, the lakes of Cannon will not
be merely boundaries of farms, places to wcter horses and to
catch fish. CHURCHES IN CANNON
Congregational at Steele's Corners. Organized in 1847, by Rev. J. Ballard
and Dea. Page, with ten members.
Smith Bailey and his wife, Eunice, Parmelia Pitcher, Chloe Scott, Samuel
H. Steele and Mary, his wife,  Stone and wife, John Campbell, Harlow
T. Judson.
The preachers have been, Revs. Isaac Barker, two years; Geo. Overheiser,
two years; Jeliiel H. Hard, five years; Daniel Sessions, two years; James
Ballard, five years;  • Evarts, two years; Danforth Eaton, four years.
Present preacher, Wm. Irons, since 1872.
The church, 32 by 48, was built and dedicated in 1853.
Present membership, 51; just having dismissed 15 to form a new church
at Cannonsburg.
The Methodist Church at Steele's Corners was first started as a class, in

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 199
1843, of four members:  Johnson and wife, Ebenezer C. Smith and Sally
M., his wife. The church, 30 by 40, was built and dedicated in 1853. Pres
ent membership, about 40. INCIDENTS.
In 1842 or 1843, Mr. Seth Lockwood built a large barn in
Courtland. To raise it, it was necessary to muster the whole
force of three townships — Courtland, Plainfield and Cannon.
Mr. James Thomas built the first barn in Cannon. When
the first bent was partly raised, it came to a dead stand. They ¦
could not raise it with the force they had, aud they dared not
let it down. They made out to prop it where it was. B37
chance two men came along, and with them as a reinforce
ment, they put it up.
A. trip to Grand Rapids was a three days' affair.
In 1840, Mrs. Gilman was confined, Mr. Gilman rode two
days to get a girl, in vain. Wherever he went all were sick
with ague; general suffering — not well ones enough to take
care of the sick. He, while seeking for help, often had to min
ister to the immediate wants of others — to give a cup of water,
etc.

"On a circle of stones they placed the pot — ¦
A circle of stones but barely nine;
They heated it red and fiery hot,
'Til the burnished brass did glimmer and shine.
They rolled him up in a sheet of lead—
A sheet of lead for a funeral pall;
Then plunged him into the caldron red,
And melted him — head and bones and all."
The practical application of the above sublime quotation is
not patent to the general reader, but the shrewdly7 wise will
see it. COURTLAND.
The settlement of this town is peculiar. A colony ot
eleven well-educated men in 1838 selected this town as their
place of residence. One of their number. Barton Johnson,
came ahead as an explorer. The rest soon followed with their
families. Their names -were: Philo Bears, Barton Johnson,

200 MEMORIALS OF THE
Benjamin Botsford, John Austin, Wm. R. Davis, John Bar
low, Alexander Dean, Sabin Johnson, Thomas Addison,
Anson Ensign and Iram Barney.
They located their lands contiguous to each other. They
organized the town and resided several y7ears alone — a happy,
social and moral community. They had enough for fraternity,
enough for society, and enough for a school. They were at
home in each other's houses, and prided themselves in each
other's good name and character. But the intruding stranger
would come in, among whom we have gathered the following:
Rice Austin, Loren Austin, Philo Austin, Nelson Miles,
Chauncey Parker, Philip Becker, Henry Barlow, David
Haymes, John Carlyle, Horace Colby, James Kingin, Jacob
Snyder, Morgan Hunting, George Shank, Joseph Davis,
Amasa Squiers, Wm. H. Myers, Alman Thompson, Horton
Rounds, Nathan Rounds, William Rounds, Lenas B. White,
Alfred Stilwell, Calvin Thompson.
Perhaps some others were of as early a date as some of
these. Of the original company:
Philo Bears, who organized the band in Washtenaw county,
stayed about ten years, and went to Grand Traverse, where he
died. Alexander Dean was an enterprising farmer, and a good
man. He died in 1871 — aged 78 .years.
Barton Johnson has been a leading official man, and still
graces the town with his living presence.
Sabin Johnson, after living like a good citizen in Court-
land until about 1860, moved to Rockford, where he died,
three or four years after.
Sabin Johnson, Jr., followed in the footsteps of his worthy
father, and died about '54. A good, upright man.
Thomas Addison, having lived the life of a good man, died
in 1875, aged 67 years.
Benjamin Botsford became insane and died in the poor
house. Anson Ensign died in 1854, aged 49.
Iram Barnes lives in Nelson.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 201
, Wm. R. Davis lives just on the line in Oakfield. Those,
who, in that region don't know him, don't know much.
John Barlow was accidentally shot at Plainfield.
Mrs. Barton Johnson was the first white woman in town.
It is a little doubtful who taught the first school. It is
claimed for three — John Davis, John Austin and Emily Dean.
Miss Dean kept a school for a time in a shanty. She was fol
lowed by Amanda Loomis and Harriet Patrick. Miss Dean
is the wife of John Austin of Courtland. Miss Loomis is in
San Francisco. Miss Patrick died about 1870.
The pioneer preacher was the otherwise mentioned James
Ballard. About the same time the zealous young Methodist
preacher, Frieze, came among the people and made this town
a part of his mission.
In 1866, the town was the scene of a fiendish murder, which
excited the community at ,the time. One Durfee, who had
been living in Ohio, had a paramour, with whom he had lived
some y-ears. He came with her and her child to Grand
Rapids, where he hired a livery team, and they went on a ride
in the rural towns. Having come into a secluded place by
the side of one of the lakes in Courtland, he strangled her
with a rope, dragged her into the bushes, left the child near a
house; returned the team, and disappeared. The child was
found nearly famished; the murdered woman discovered; the
case skillfully worked up; Durfee tracked out, arrested, tried,
and sent to prison, where he is said to have died. Durfee was
a fiend; and marked as such. The child is adopted into a
worthy family in the town; and thinks himself their son.
The name of his foster parents will not here be given, as we
do not wish to dispel the illusion of the boy, whose good for
tune it was that his mother was murdered.
. The town was organized in 1839. Supervisor, Philo Bears;
Clerk, Thomas Addison; Treasurer, David Haines; Justice,
John Austin.
It was customary in the early settlement, at first to
unite several townships and organize them as a town. One and
another would soon be set off. Courtland was shorn of all its
dependencies, and reduced to its present limits in 1846. In

202 MEMORIALS OF THE
1848, by a legislative blunder, it was reorganized with Oak-
field, under the name of Wabesis. Its status was restored by
the next Legislature.
From the cemetery and other sources we glean of those who
have passed away:
Mary, wife of Joseph Haynes, died in 1857, aged 91.
Noel Stewart, died in 1847, aged 60.
Lucy, mother of Philo Bears, died in, 1841.
• Dr. Ezra Chaffee, died in 1853, aged 66.
Annanias Worden, died in 1861, aged 71 — father of Com
modore Worden, of Monitor fame. His venerable widow is
in Grand Rapids.
Alexander Dean, died in 1871, aged 78.
Sabin Johnson, Jr., died in 1854.
John. Carlyle, died 1874.
Wm. Carlyle, died in 1856, aged 51.
James Kingin, died in 1873, aged 69.
Morgan Hunting, died in 1868, aged 63.
Amasa Squires, died in 1860, aged 65.
First settled by7 a fraternal colony, Courtland has not lost
the character they first gave her. With little for the historian
to say, it is a good town; as respectable as though she had
had twenty murders instead of one. Therefore don't think
yourselves slighted because little is said.
GAINES.
Gaines did not take its plase as an independent town until
1848, having been until that date identified with Paris, after
the organization of that town in 1839.
The settlement of the town was at first slow; the same rea
sons retarding its occupation that are given in connection with
Byron — the heavy timber and the prospective hard work in
fitting the land for cultivation. The growth of timber- in
Gaines was very heavy. Where such is the case, and no value
is attached to it, it is repellant.
The old "Gull Road" ran through this township, and the
earlier occupants located themselves near it. Yet, though the
town was accessible — just on the limits of civilization — but

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 203
few ventured in. The first is said to have been Alexander
Clark, in the spring of 1837, who took up land at the part of
the town since called Kelloggville. The next year added Al
exander L. Bouck, and the Kelly7 brothers, Foster and Charles,
Joseph Blain, Andrew Mesnard, Rensalear, his son, and Orson
Cook. In 1839, Silas Burlington was added to the little
number. 1840, added: R. R. Jones, Thomas Blain, and Wm. PL
Budlong. With those three families the town was stationary
for some years. Wm. Kelly came in the fall of '43.
We are able further to give as early7 settlers, without the
exact date of entry: Bryan Greenman, Stephen A. Hammond,
R. R. Sessions, Wm. Kelly, Daniel Woodward, John E. Woods,
James M. Pelton, Peter YanLew, Peter, William and David
Dias. At the organization of the town in 1848, the vote was thirty-
five. There were elected as the principal officers:
Peter Yan Lew, Supervisor; James M. Pelton, Clerk;
Charles Kelly, Treasurer; Joseph Blain, Josiah Drake, Robert
Jones, Justices.
The pioneer school in the town was taught by Miss Mary
Darling, in a little building near where stands the "Red
School House'." This was in 1842. She afterwards married
a Methodist minister, by the name of Glass, and resides in
Grand Rapids.
The United Brethem have a flourishing society, and a
church in the south part of the town.
The society was organized by the Rev. S. C. Buck, in 1858.
As. the result of a protracted meeting, he gathered a band of
about forty. They held their meetings in school-houses, until
the erection of their church in 1867: this cost $2,700. The
society have a parsonage and settled pastor — the Rev. Mr.
Mower. Mr. Buck is still resident in the town. The church
now numbers about seventy.
The history of the town has few salient points. When we
look at its splendid farms, we can see its history — the changing
of the forest — the haunt of bears, wolves, and wildcats — into
the town as we see it.

204 MEMORIALS OF THE
Since 1870 the town has had railroad connection by the G.
R. Yalley Road. A station called " Hammonds" has given a
chance for a business village and a market center. But the
town may be set down as almost purely agricultural, and as a
farming town it will not suffer by7 a comparison with any7
other. For two things Gaines will ever be memorable: The one the
motto borne on her banner at the time of the Buchanan Presi
dential campaign; and the other, the fact that she was the first
town in the State to show that manhood was to be respected for
its worth, and not its color. For this conquering of deep-rooted
prejudice, all honor to Gaines. In 1873, Mr. Hardy, a colored
man, was elected Supervisor. Is not Gaines the pioneer on
this path of civilization?
We might tell "wolf and bear stories" ad infinitum,hut
who cares for these, unless the interesting fact of somebody's
being killed by the "varmints," is connected with them. But
Gaines has no such interesting episodes in her history; as it was
in every case the beasts that got killed, and not the men. We
might tell of Johnny Green catching a wolf-trap with his heel,
but think we will not, as Johnny is now a portly Justice of the
Peace, and might be offended should he read the story.
A reference to the census table, given in the general history,
will show that Gaines, after 1850, was not slow in filling up.
As it is a town that must necessarily be almost exclusively
agricultural, it may now be considered fully populated, and
that too, by people who know the value of the soil they occupy,
and appreciate the town. In some parts there is still the
new appearance; but the evidences of recent settlement .are
fast disappearing, and the evidences of thrift and increasing
wealth meet the observer in every part.
GRATTAN.
Grattan was not one of the first settled townships. It had
remained a part of Yergennes from its organization in 1838,
until 1846, when it was organized as an independent town,
with a name of its own, given as a compliment to its Irish
settlers.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 205
The first meeting was at the house of Converse Close; 23
voters were present. Elected: Milton C. Watkins, Supervisor;
Yolney W. Cankin, Clerk; Erastus W. Beasom, Treasurer;
Samuel H. Steele, John P. Weeks, William Burne, Luther B.
Cook, Justices.
It was not until 1843, ten years after civilization had been
imported into the Grand River Yalley, that any one located
in Grattan. In 1843, a number of Irishmen having left Ire
land because it was not a good place for a poor man, and
having worked on the railroads until each had a swelling by
his side, caused by a wallet with bills in it — a swelling which
was the result of hard labor with the shovel ; tired of being
bossed around by overseers, and thinking that it would sound
better to be " Mr.," with a farm, than " Pat," with a shovel,
bought land and settled in the south part of Grattan and the
north of Ada. That is just the way with the jolly sons of
Erin. Born in a beautiful island across the sea, he early comes
to the conclusion that that island is a good place for a man who
is born without a silver spoon in his mouth, to emigrate from.
He -sees no way for a poor man to become a proprietor, and it
is hard for poverty to maintain self-respect. They have heard
of a laud across the sea, where wages are high and land is
plenty and cheap. In family council they determine to go to
that land and be respectable. They hoard up their scanty
earnings until they have secured enough to send one across
the sea. With many a benediction, Dennis goes. Arrived
with empty pockets, he takes the first work that offers, which
is generally on the railroad. With a miser's grip he holds on
upon his wages. He goes ragged, sleeps in a shanty; but he
is working for love, and self is forgotten. Soon, counting over
his little pile, he finds he has enough to bring over his broth
er; and instead of getting a new coat, he sends the money to
Ireland, and soon has the happiness of welcoming Michael.
Two of them are digging now; two are receiving pay, and
two are working for the family. They soon have money
enough to bring over the rest. Now they feel they can start
in life. They dig away, they don't pay rent, nor wear fine
clothes. They live in a shanty, and lay up their earnings

206 MEMORIALS OF THE
until they can buy them farms. The writer of these memorials,
years ago, when the D. and M. railroad was in embryo, used
to pass the gangs of shovelers in Ada, and occasionally crack
a joke with some of the Irish laborers; seldom without getting
better than he sent. He did then rather pity the poor fellows,
who were good for nothing but to dig and vote. But years
have passed on; the writer's head is whiter, if not wiser. In
his perambulations, he comes to good farms, painted houses,
and the accompaniments of thrift and wealth. Going in, he
is met at the door by Dennis or Pat, one of his old railroad
acquaintances; ten or a dozen bright-eyed children of all ages
are there; an organ is in the parlor, and pictures on the walls.
That is Irish fashion. Look at Grattan, Ada, and Cascade,
and see the end of the railroad diggers! Sirs, my hat is off
¦ — your most obedient. I honor the one who made himself.
It may seem that we are far from Grattan, but we are right
there. The men who first located, as above mentioned, were
Richard Giles, Dennis McCarthy, -William McCarthy, John
McCarthy, John Sullivan, Morris Scanlan, Michael Kennedy,
John Delaney, John Brannigan, Frank Murphy, Michael Far-
rell, William Byrnes, Edward McCormick, Patrick Fingleton,
Andrew McDonald, Michael Doyle. These came in 1843, or
soon after.
In 1844-5, came Luther B. Cook, Wm. Smith, Converse
Close, Jared Watkins, Henry Green, Anthony King, Yolney
V. Caukin, David Ford, Ira Ford, Alvah Andrews, Jedediah
H. Wood, Solomon Tower, Joseph Tower, Sheldon Ashley,
Milton Watkins, W. S. Fuller, Nehemiah Smith, Alanson
King, Leonidas Scranton, John Rogers, Nelson Holmes, Ed
ward Bellamy, Nathan Holmes, Barlow Bartow, Emmons
Wood. Marshall King has the credit of being the first-born of Grat
tan, dating from December, 1844.
Death first knocked at the door of Mr. Springer, and took
away his five-year-old boy, in the fall of 1846. Four others of
the family soon followed. Is there fate in it? Ifsuchthings are
"providences," verily the ways of providence are inscrutable.
Soberer common sense says, the Divine Providence moves by

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 207
a system of wisely harmonized law, under which we come in
to existence, live and die; that under this system all "partial
evil is universal good." 'Tis-for the good of the whole that
we die. Death is neither a penalty, a chastisement, au admo- '
nition,.nor a curse; why shroud it with superstitious fears, or
make it the reason for blaspheming the bountiful Giver of
Life? In new countries, as in regions of higher civilization, the pro
pensity to marry will show itself. Human nature exists in the
woods a good deal more than it does in cities. In the woods,
a man finds a wife a good help-mate; he cannot contrive how
to get along without one. In the city, the man painfully thinks
whether his finances will allow him to support one. Go past
a log house in the woods: three or four two-legged boy7s are
making a racket out of doors; two or three girls are in the
house— one tending the baby, the others helping mother. She,
good woman, is up to her elbows in the wash-tub; barefoot,
and with her hair over her eyes. Turn up your nose, will you?
That woman has more soul than three of your fashionable
belles, who curse children as " incumbrances," and live for — not
home — -but self and " society." That woman will soon tread
her parlor carpet; better dressed, but no more a lady than now.
Those boys, too, in her old age — one of them a supervisor,
another a justice of the peace, and another a congressman — -
will come hoine at Christmas, and reverently do honor to that
very woman you sniff at. Shame on yon! I should think you
had always lived in a city!
We begun to talk about marrying. Well, Converse Close
and a girl in Grattan talked about marrying; they talked on
the subject several times, until they could not see each other
without making it their theme, and would meet specially to
talk about it. The upshot of the whole was, they concluded to
get married. But there was a difficulty in the way — tliere was
no one near to legalize the deed, and pride forbade them to go
away to get married; or, modern fashion, get married and run.
The line of the county was half a mile distant; beyond that
line, in Otisco, lived Esq. Cook; but out of Ionia county he
could not go to marry any one. He met them at the line in

208 MEMORIALS OF THE
the woods, and there— he standing in Ionia county, and they
in Kent — he made one of the aforetime two — Converse Close
and Mary Potter. Like sensible' folks, they went to their own
cabin. The next day, he was cutting down trees, and she was
cooking his dinner, mending his pants, and feeding her pigs.
They don't live in a log house now; and they have not got
divorced. The first school in town was in a private house, and kept by
Miss Mary Watkins (daughter of Milton W.). The first
school-house was built near the residence of C. Close, in 1847,
and Converse Close was the first teacher.
The Union school-house was built in 1867, and cost $3,000.
Asa Slayton was in it the first principal. Mr. Slayton has all
his life been a teacher — a thorough teacher, a common sense
teacher, and no humbug; "there is not a bit of nonsense
about him." He won't, for popularity's sake, cram for exam
inations, and fool people into the belief that their thick-skulled
progeny, under liis inspiring tuition " on the new plan," have
become marvels of scholars. No, that is not Asa Slayton, and
therefore, he has not got rich by teaching.
The first school, in which Grattan had a chance, was in a
district fractional with Oakfield, on the corner west of section
1. The house was in Oakfield, about where the church stands.
Wm. Ashley was the first teacher — in 1846. Mr. Ashley is
now a lawyer at Grand Rapids. The Miss Watkins, spoken
of above as the one who first taught a school in Grattan, is
now known as Mrs. John B. Colton, of Grand Rapids.
Grattan Center is a little village that has centered itself
around the mills, built by Bellamy & Holmes, in 1850. It is
not essentially different from the many country villages
that start with a mill. It has become the place where the
town business centers — a snug little place — the, center of a
beautiful, wealthy and flourishing town— a town beautifully
diversified with hills and lakes, fine farms and tasteful dwel
lings. Perhaps no township in all Michigan can boast more
of those .pretty inland lakes and ponds than Grattan, there
being no less than twenty-four, varying from 30 to 300 acres

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 209
in extent, besides ponds too numerous to mention. These give
a charm to the seenery7. To some of them they have given un-
poetic names. They can never be famous in song, if condemned
to be called " Crooked," " Muskrat," etc. No, they will be only
fish-pojids. Milton Watkins, Converse Close, and John P.
Weeks! I appoint you a committee to give poetical and musical
names to these lakes, and then I, or some other great poet,
will give them a place in immortal verse; and your town shall
be like " Sweet Avon," a beautiful place, existing in the halo
of a poetic idea. But I won't sing of " Muskrat Lake."
The Muse don't stoop so low. Call it Au ver'ne, and even the
fishes in it Avill be poetical; and the poet, his eyes in a fine
frenzy rolling, can then sing of its beauties, in deathless
numbers. These lakes are not plebeian, and should not have
plebeian names. They are a part of the poetry- of landscapes —
something to remind mankind that the idea of beauty is next
to that of utility in the Eternal Mind. There is a good deal
in a name. If I see a beautiful girl, I dislike to hear her
called Peggy Ann. CHURCHES.
BAPTIST CHURCH, ON THE LINE OF OAKFIELD AND GKATTAN.
' This church was formed by Elder Starkweather, with nine members, set
off from the church in Otisco. These were: Kinnicum Randall and wile,
Deacon Morey and wife, Sheldon Ashley and wife, James "Wiley and wife,
and Mrs. Thomas Reed.
The church edifice was built in 1863.
Its preachers have been the Revs. Starkweather, Roscoe, Coe, Chase, Pres
cott, Miller, Monroe, andBuell.
Two churches have since been set off from this — the "White Swan, in 1865,
and the Grattan, in 1867. CATHOLIC CHUKCn.
Father Vizoski, in 1844, established the mission, and was the means of
building the first chapel, the little building near the present church. It was
a building about 18 by 24 feet. The families mentioned above as the Irish
settlers in Grattan and Ada, were those whom Vizoski gathered as the nu
cleus ofthe church. Since the death of that sainted missionary, (I call him (
sainted though he has not been canonized), some fifteen different priests have
been in charge. At present, the church is under the care of Father Bernard
A. Quin, and is perhaps the largest Catholic church in the Valley out of the
city oi'Grand Rapids — embraoing 145 families, residing in Ada, Grattan, Ver
gennes and Cannon.
14

210 MEMORIALS OF THE
They now worship in the third church edifice. The first was the small,
chapel above spoken of. The second was a fine wooden structure, built under
the management of Father Rievers, at aii expense of $8,000, and which was
burned in 1869. Not discouraged, they built again, and dedicated, in 1871,
the noble structure that now stands. Its cost was $12,000.
Since writing the above, that noble structure has been burned.
LOWELL.
The early history of Lowell is the history of Yergennes.
The two townships were together organized as Yergennes, and
continued in that relation until 1848.
The mouth of the Flat River was one of the points of earli
est occupation; and was one ofthe centers from which settle
ment radiated. The several centers were Grand Haven,
(Grandville, Grand Rapids, Flat River, Ionia, Lyons and Port-
Hand. All of these points were occupied in 1836, or before.
In this article the Flat River settlement will be considered.
Tnrthe ultimate arrangement, a part of it constituted the town
and .village of Lowell, and a part remained Yergennes.
The first white resident near the mouth of the Flat River,
was Daniel Marsac, who came from Detroit for the purpose-
of trading among the Indians. He did not, until 1831, estab
lish a regular trading station. Then he erected a log house
on the left bank of the Grand River, opposite the mouth of
Flat River. Marsac remained an Indian Trader, with no
rights but Indian sufferance until the region was open to set
tlement. He then became a settler.
The real settlement at Flat River, dates from October 13th,
1836; when Lewis Robinson, Philander Tracy, Sylvester
Hodges, Alva Jones, all from Scipio, New York; came up the
river and located on the town line, two miles northwest of the
mouth of the Flat River. There was at that time, no one resi
dent but Marsac. Tracy and Robinson had been there before,
in July, and made their arrangement with the Indians; and
Tracy stayed awhile to build a house, which he partly completed.
When the rest came on they finished it. It was on the right
bank of the Flat River, forty rods below where now is Halch's
grist-mill. This house was built partly for a store, to be used
by Rix Robinson, in his trade with the Indians.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 211
The understanding with the Indians was, that they were to
let Robinson have their old field, if he would break up another
piece for them; and twenty acres of openings were broken up
for them.
Robinson and Tracy fenced in about eighty acres, including
what of the village of Lowell lies on the right bank of Flat
River. Hodges and Jones split the rails. There Hodges set
the first apple trees; one of which is now (1875,) standing on
what is owned by Mrs. Caroline Snell.
Luther Lincoln came the same fall, and located on the left
bank of Flat River, where Lowell now is. This Lincoln is
the same one, who was before a pioneer at Granville. The
same fall came Ebenezer K. Bickford, who started a house,
but did not bring on his family until the next spring. Mr.
Bickford stayed but a few years. These are believed to have
been all who came in 1836. Mr. Hodges alone remains where
he first located himself; the others having either died or
moved away.
In their immediate vicinity, and in intimate relations with
them were three or four hundred Indians, under an aged chief,.
whose name is variously given as Wobwindego (white giant)
and Wobskindip. He died that winter, and was succeeded by
his son Shogwogeno, a young man. Kobmoosa (the walker,)
who had for wives three sisters of the young chief, was sub-
chief. The chief had three brothers; men of fine presence
and character — Ashkilbegosh, Acango and Wabesis.
Quite an influx of settlers signalized the year 1S37, many
of whom were transient. With regard to some there is
doubt as to the date of their advent; the memory of the old
settlers not altogether agreeing. We can without much hesi
tation place in this year: John Thompson, James Thompson,
Cyrus Bennett, George Bisbee, John Fox, Phillip W. Fox,
James Fox, Dr. Silas Fallass, John W. Fallass, Caleb Page,
Thompson I. Daniels, George Brown, Rodney Robinson,
Lucas Robinson, Lewis Robinson.
These took up land before it was surveyed. The three Robin
sons were brothers of Rix Robinson, and were part of the ship
load of Robinsons that entered the Grand River in 1835.

212 MEMORIALS OF THE
1838 shows quite an addition to the settlement — as far as
we can gather: Charles Newton, Eliab Walker, Christopher
Misner, Solomon Lee, Anthony Zerkes, Elder Wooster, Sher
man Wooster, Morgan Lyon, William Robinson, Adam Yan
Deusen, Alfred Yan Deusen, Jesse Yan Deusen, Walter Yan
Deusen (blind), Walter Hyler, Jacob Francisco, Wm. B. Lyon,
Ransom Rolf, Matthew Patrick, Samuel Rolf, Ira A. Danes,
Albert Smith, Ebenezer Smith, C. A. Lathrop, Samuel Moye,
Joseph Dieffendorf, Daniel Dieffendorf, David Dieffendorf.
There will be no attempt further to trace the progress of
settlement. The town was organized as Yergennes, in 1838.
For ten years the two townships were together. When Lowell
was organized, the settlement did not cease to be a commu
nity, though belonging to two towns.
. The first school in the Flat River settlement, Or Yergennes,
was taught in 1839, by Miss Caroline Baird, in a log house,
built by the Robinsons. She closed her labors in the school
by being married in the school house to Mr. Caleb Page. It
was made a day of general jubilee. They both now sleep with
the dead.
The next school was taught by Miss Maria Winslow, of
Grand Rapids. She was the daughter of Dr. Winslow — the
pioneer physician of the Yalley; and for more than twenty
years was known as a highly educated and efficient school
teacher in Grand Rapids, and the towns around; and many
are those who will remember her with veneration. She is now
the wife of Heman Leonard, Esq., of Grand Rapids.
The first preacher in the settlement was Elder Mitchell, a
Methodist missionary from the Ohio Conference. He soon
found himself incompetent to endure the hardships incident to
his pioneer circuit, and withdrew, to be succeeded by one who
could endure them — the Rev. Mr. Frieze. Frieze was made
ofthe right material for a missionary in the back- woods; with
a physical constitution that defied labor to fatigue, and a soul
singly devoted to his work. He had a circuit from Grandville
to Cook's Corners, in Otisco. On this circuit he was obliged
to go on foot, generally guided only by Indian trails ; often
obliged to camp in the woods at night, when going from

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 213
station to station, engaged in his labor of love. Buoyed by the
desire to win souls, he was ready to endure all hardships, and
to endure all privations. At one time, coming to Flat River,
he got lost in the night, and floundering in the swamps, and
wanderh-g in the woods, his clothes were torn in tatters.
Emerging at length, hungry- and faint, he was ready to preach ;
but he was not in decent trim to appear before his back-woods'
audience. He was supplied with clothing, and filled his ap
pointment. Frieze made his home for a time in Cannon, and is num
bered there as one of the first settlers. He is now supposed to
be in Ohio. Should he come in to the Grand River Yalley,
many an old pioneer would greet him with a double welcome,
and a " God bless you, Frieze." It takes faith and godliness
to preach on a circuit of forty miles, go on foot, aHd get no
pay for it; but not much of either to preach for $5,000 a year,
in a fashionable church, with the admiring eyes of a thousand
to keep one in countenance. The poor heretical writer thinks
he could preach under such circumstances; but such labors as
those of Frieze, he is afraid he should leave to such as Frieze.
Lowell was set off from Yergennes, and organized as a town,
April, 1848. The first election was held at the house of D.
A. Marvin. The first officers were:
Cyprian S. Hooker, Supervisor; Timothy White, Clerk; C.
S. Hooker, Daniel McEwan, Samuel P. Rolf, Ira A. Danes,
Justices. In 1849, by the Legislature, a bridge was authorized at
Lowell. In 1857, 500 acres of land were appropriated for improving
Flat River.
In 1857 the name of the village was changed from Danville
to Lowell.
In 1859 an act legalizing the incorporation of Lowell was
passed. (It had before been incorporated by the supervisors.)
The village never organized under this act of incorporation.
In 1861 Lowell village incorporated by the Legislature.
In 1869 Lowell was authorized to re-survey.
Such in brief is the legislative history of Lowell. To give

214 MEMORIALS OF THE
it, we have anticipated the history. Returning to the early
times: A tract of land on the east side of the Flat River had
been set apart as University lands; and had been pre-empted
by Luther Lincoln, who built a log house there, which was
used by Dan. A. Marvin as a tavern. Lincoln • sold out his
claim to Daniel Marsac, who, in 1847, platted it; and, liking
his own name, called it Dansville. In 1850, Abel Avery, of
Ionia, bought out Marsac. As yet Dansville was only a paper
village. In 1846 Cyprian S. Hooker came from Boston; put
up the first frame house; and moved his family into it two
weeks from the time he commenced. In 1847 he erected a
grist-mill, bringing the water in a race. In 1849 he built a
dam across Flat River. He showed the Yankee disposition
to do something. From his enterprise the village took its
start. Soon a respectable public house was built by Mr. Avery ;
and by degrees the place developed, until it has become one
of the smartest villages that are dotting the West; the Flat
River is used to nearly or quite its full capacity for driving
mills and machinery. It is a market town for the region
north and south; doing perhaps as much business as any vil
lage of its size in the State.
. As a village it sprung into existence. It was only a ham
let, with its mill, its tavern, its stores, etc., on a small scale
until the D. & M. Railroad was constructed. Then, what
had been a vision of fancy in the mind of Marsac, Avery,
and a few others, became a fixed reality — Lowell must be a
market town. Capital was attracted there, and men of enter
prise selected it as their place to achieve fortunes. It did not
grow up, as grow the villages that surrouned a mill, but sprung
at once into a form that was based on solid substance. The
style of building indicates independence, and little of the
make-shift of many new places. Its blocks of stores would
do credit to a larger place. Its streets, filled with teams, show
trade. Its mills and manufacturing concerns give evidence.
of business life. The churches show that religion has a hold
there, and the well-sustained Union School is evidence that
intellect and culture are not ignored; and the cosy houses
bespeak a refined and independent peoole.

grand river valley. 215
husted's nurseries.
Husted's Nurseries, the largest in Michigan, were begun, in
1862, on one-half an acre of land. In 1863, three acres were
added. In 1864 Husted purchased eighty acres, and set out
40,000 apple trees, and a small assortment of other fruits.
From that time he enlarged rapidly, going into a general
nursery business, until, in 1S72, the nurseries covered" 200
acres of ground, and the sales were $50,000 a year. But it is
sad to say that wheu blown up to this size, it "busted," and
promises not to be so big a thing, hereafter. In 1874, the
property passed from Mr. Husted, into the hands of assignees,
and Mr. Husted was left to ruminate on the impropriety of
doing too big a business. He talks j'ust as the boy does,
whose father is putting him through a course of sprouts: "I
never will do so again." There is such a thins; as doing too
big a business. Many a man has to go under because his
• debts are half as much as the amount owed to him. The
balance sheet shows rich, but stern fact says, all is not well,
that looks well on paper.
Hatch & Craw's flouring-mill is a thriving concern, and the
men who own it mean business.
And we would specially notice the enterprise of the Blodgett
Brothers, who run a snug woolen factory. The making of
cloth has in general been left to the States further east. We
send our wool there, and then buy it back in the shape of cloth.
It is hazardous, away from the manufacturing centers, to in
vest capital in cotton or woolen factories, for the reason that it
is about impossible to get the skilled labor necessary to carry
on the business. Men are unwilling to put themselves under-
the power of one company, so that, if discharged, they must
go without employment, or go five hundred miles to seek it.,
For that reason, the manufacture of cotton has not come to us
at all, and only a small number of woolen factories are in
Michigan — those generally doing a small business. Knowing.
that these disadvantages attend the woolen manufacturer in
Michigan, we look on the man or company that starts a pioneer
factory Avith special favor; and hail their enterprise as we do,

216 MEMORIALS OF THE
that of the hardy woodsman, who opens the way with his ax.
To invest $1,000,000 in a woolen or cotton factory at the East
is only a business enterprise — an investment of capital. The
man or company, that does it, is on a par with those who put
up immense saw-mills in the pine regions of Michigan. The
old Indian Mill at Grand Rapids, which would, with its clumsy
sash, cut 1,000 feet of boards in a day, was a thing for history
to commemorate; the bigger concerns that followed, are looked
on only as things of business. The day will come when the
Grand River region will be dotted with cotton and woolen
manufactories; when the Grand, the Flat, the Rogue and the
Thornapple rivers will be utilized; and the whirr of the spin
dle and the clack of the loom will enliven the cities and vil
lages on their banks. God speed you, Blodgett, in your at
tempt to prove that Michigan may manufacture, as well as
raise, its wool.
It is true that all good things do not come at once. The
saw-mill is the pioneer. Immediately follows the indispensa
ble grist-mill. Then come manufactures in wood; and, as the
evidence that a higher plane is reached, of the textile fabrics,
and articles of luxury and taste. Michigan is still a young
State, and has not reached her highest development; but, like
John Brown's soul, she is " marching on."
The grave historian may stoop from his dignity, and speak
of trifles light as air, for the amusement of the gay. But no
apology is made for this little story of Rodney Robinson of
early times:
In 1837, Robinson went to Kalamazoo for bread stuff. He
stayed over night at Yankee Springs. Many other teamsters
were there, and also a minister. Yankee Lewis had a large
fire-place, and the wood had burned down, leaving a great bed
of coals. Before going to bed they had prayers, and as they
were getting ready to retire, a big bully, by the name of Scott,
seized Rodney's dog and threw him upon the coals, evidently
to pick a quarrel. Rodney seized Scott, and Scott followed
dog. The company cheered, and the minister said, "Amen;
God bless you!" Scott was badly burned, but seeing the eye
of Rodney, was not at all disposed to try his revenge. He

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 217
said — " Guy Rivers! I did not suppose there was a man here
who could do that." Robinson said— "I did.' Scott felt
fight, but concluded to let out the job. We hope the lesson
was remembered by the bully, and that a wholesome fear af
terwards would arise in his mine, lest the dog he would injure,
should prove to be " a spaniel."
Young as Lowell is, it has had its centenarian, in the per
son of Mrs. Lucky, mother of Mrs. Patrick. She died, aged
103. Her portrait was taken when she was 100.
In contemplating these rare specimens of humanity, who
outlive their generation and themselves, we can see the full
beauty of the language of a Shenandoah chief, who said; " I
am an aged hemlock. The winds of an hundred winters have
whistled through my7 branches; I am dead at the top. Why
I alone of all my kindred remain, the Great Spirit only
knows." But, — Life's long waking ended,
She sweetly sleeps at last.
NELSON.
Nelson was one of the last towns organized in Kent county,
being content to remain a part of a double town, until she
had men enough to fill the town offices, without giving each
man an office, and the best man two or three. Instead of
claiming to be of age when a dozen voters could be mustered,
she waited until she had fifty-four. The town was set off, and
named by the Board of Supervisors, Oct. 13th, 1854. It was
organized at the house of Charles II. Leake, April 2d, 1855,
with the following officers ;
Supervisors, Geo. Hoyle; Clerk, Geo. N. Stoddard; 'Treas
urer, Charles H. Leake; Justices, Simpson Anderson, Samuel
Punches, Harlow H. Stanton.
It matters little who were the pioneers of Nelson. The first
use of the town was to rob it of its pine, of which it had an
abundance. Stripped of that, it was not inviting. Its settle
ment and its enterprise have been governed by pine. That is
disappearing, and the second class of enterprise is developing

218 MEMORIALS OF THE
itself — that of making homes and farms on the stripped pine
lands. It is a laborious business; but it is to be observed
that where soil is, man will cultivate it. Where there is
a chance, a man will live. The pioneer picks out the best
land, if he has brains and judgment; he holds on upon it,
clears it up, and gets rich, of course. What is left is taken
afterwards by those, who do not choose to lead' a hermit life
in the backwoods, until their children have grown up as wild
as the beasts in the woods around them. There is the school-
house, where his children can be taught; the church, where he
and his can worship; society, that he can enjoy; and a piece
of — not the best, but still fair — land, where he can make him
a farm. He does not look for future wealth, but for a
respectable home, and he achieves his wish. The writer, in
search of knowledge, found himself in Nelson. Being some
what weary with his ramblings, he stopped by the road-side
to chat with a man past middle age, who, with his son, was
clearing up a piece of stripped pine land. He pitied the old
gentleman, as he looked at the frightful array of stumps, that
must be eradicated, before his land could have a decent
appearance. He sat down on a log, lit his pipe, and having
bast a sympathizing glance at the man and his son, began to
condole with them. But he soon found that he had better
spend his sympathy on those, who, like himself, feel they are
wise on subjects they have never investigated. — a great class,
who are hard to argue with. It is generally found to be true,
that people who have an opinion on a subject they know
nothing of, are satisfied with very feeble arguments to sup
port it. The present philosopher found the man was glad to
have secured for himself and family the ownership of that
land, and gave the reasons, above shown, for securing it.
" He conld get a living on it, and they were among folks."
The result was that the traveler, as he rose from the log,
rested from his fatigue, was prepared to proceed on his way,
a wiser man. Hence the profound philosophical reflections
above. He determines that henceforth he will not pity those
who do not feel their grief.
It is now believed that Wm. H. Bailey7, who came in July,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 210
'51, was the first settler in the town. He was soon followed
by John S. Jones and some fifty others. Had they come in
when civilized man was far away, we would have handed down
a dozen of the first, as venerated pioneers. But as it is, a citi
zen of Nelson must have done something besides " locate "
to be deemed worthy- of historical mention'; he must commit
some startling crime; have done some noble deed, or "Here
lies Mr. Blank " on a gravestone, will in coming years be all
the proof that he ever lived. Then rouse ye, you people of
Nelson, or you will be food for oblivion. Do things worth
remembering, and the future historian will render you im
mortal. The village of Cedar Springs is partly in Nelson, and its.
history is the leading part of the history of the town ; that
will occupy a separate article. CEDAR SPRINGS.
Cedar Springs, so named from the fine springs, bordered by
a cedar grove, owes its existence as a village to no Providen
tial distinction, but to the will of two men, who said: " Here
shall be a village ; here shall be a county seat, and a business
eenter." One of these men is the same N. R. Hill who now
dispenses justice in the village he has founded, and who smil
ingly walks the streets, as though he knew he was appreciated
— a man, whom sinners fear, and whom saints respect. As he
is still in his prime, we will not write his eulogy. But the
day may come, when, as in venerable age he takes the air, the
Cedar Springers will doff their beavers as he passes along,
recognizing the sagacity that pointed to the location, the wis
dom that fostered the rising place, and the modesty, that did
not name it Hillopolis.
The other father of Cedar Springs is Benjamin Fairchild,
who platted the part of the village that lies in the township
of Solon. He was very influential in getting settlers, and in
securing the railroad. We are sorry to record the fact, that in
those operations, instead, as he should, of making a fortune,
lie lost one. But as long as Cedar Springs has an existence,
Fairchild will not be forgotten.
These two men, having determined that a place should arise

220 MEMORIALS OF THE
on their land, platted their swamp, and invited occupation by
giving alternate lots to those who would build. The few wise
ones who looked on, put their thumbs on their noses, and
winked with the left eye. But they- knew, as the railroad was
coming north, a place must be built up somewhere about there;
it might as well be in their swamp as anywhere. By giving
lots or selling for a song, and giving credit for that, they
accomplished their end. Cedar Springs is a place, but those
who founded it, have to work for a living.
But few people located at Cedar Springs until the railroad
was completed to that place. For a time it was the terminus;
and it sprung immediately into importance. Mills, for the
making of lumber, sprung up as if by magic in the region
around; and the lumber interest, centering there, became
immense. It is now a lumbering town, there being forty-five
saw-mills within five miles of the village. This lumber finds
its exit by the railroad, and is tributary to the business of
Cedar Springs.
Resting, as it does, on lumber, the place will continue to
prosper as long as the lumber lasts. It will by that time be,
like Ionia, the central place of a region; the market-town ; and
as they confidently expect, the county seat of a new county,
whose center is about there. They have failed thus far to
secure the new county, but probably will in time succeed.
Considering the short existence of Cedar Springs as a place
of any importance, we cannot but commend the public spirit
that has established her excellent graded school, and erected
her noble school-house — perhaps the best in the county out of
Grand Rapids ; that has built her two churches — the Baptist
and the Methodist; and that is. so persistently pushing the
project of a new county.
Cedar Springs was incorporated in 1871. 'The first election
under the charter was held at the house of B. Fairchild; ad
journed to the ofiice of John Tlietge, April 2d; when and
where the following were elected its officers:
Benjamin Fairchild, President; Joseph H. Maze, Recorder;
E. P. Hayes, Treasurer; Edward C. Wamsley, Jacob Bickart,
Geo. W. Hogle,  Johnson, R. Kromer, M. Slosson, Trus
tees.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 221
The village is built of wood, and invites the fire-fiend. . Let
them take warning from Muskegon.
The " Wolverine Clipper" has been rendered conspicuous by
the indestructible Maze.
A Masonic lodge is there, wise in the lore of Solomon and
Hiram Abiff. And above all, at Cedar Springs the people have
faith in themselves. When making our formal bow to them,
we shall wish them God-speed.
Miss Clarinda Stillwell is accredited as being the first teach
er — summer of '57. She is now Mrs. Leathers, and resides in
Illinois. She was followed by Prof. Bicknell and wife. Bicknell was
afterwards County Superintendent of Schools; now resides, as
a farmer, near Cedar Springs.
The next was Anna Lot. She was the first in the county to
get a State certificate. She now flourishes in Alpine, as Mrs.
Chauncey Field.
Then followed Jenny Lane, a teacher of rare excellence, win
ning hearts, and controlling by genuine respect. She has passed
from earth.
Professor Charles Borst had charge of the school one year,
assisted by his wife, Miss Maud Lane, and others.
The first school -house was a shanty; the second a good
frame building for sixty scholars; the third, which was opened
Jan. 1st, 1873, is a noble structure, worth $20,000.
Cedar Springs believes in education.
BAPTIST CHUECH.
Organized Feb. 12th, 1859, with 29 members. Had no settled pastor until
Nov., 1863, when the Rev. A. Wellman became pastor. He stayed but a
short time. In April, 1854, Rev. N. Stillwell took charge, and remained un
til Oct., 1867; during which time the church increased to 84. Rev. Charles
Oldfield took charge Oct'. 31st, 1867, and remained until June, 1870; during
which time a house of worship was erected, costing about $4,000, and the
membership became 105. He .was followed, for ten months, by Rev. J. G.
Spooner; who was succeeded by the Rev. J. Payne (before a..d since of the
order of United Brethren). In October, 1872, the Rev. Mr. Oldfield again
took charge, and remains. Membership, 144.
OAKFIELD.
Oakfield commenced its political existence as a town in 1849.

222 MEMORIALS OF THE
It had before been a part of Courtland. The first town meet
ing was held at the school-house, known as the " White Swan"
school-house. The first town officers were:
Thomas Spencer, Supervisor; Harry McArthur, Clerk;
Harry Osgood, Treasurer; Harvey D. Pond, David J. Gilbert,
Wm. M. Gould, Thomas Spencer, Justices.
In the first organization of towns, the township, where there
is a settlement, was constituted a town, with several sparsely7
settled or vacant townships attached, so that they in their
infancy might not be entirely out of the world and in the cold.
Oakfield had been in this relation to Courtland. It claimed
to be of age in 1847, and petitioned to be set off and author
ized to do business for itself. But, by a legislative blunder,
Courtland and Oakfield were reorganized under the name of
Wabesis; and as Wabesis they existed together two years.
Pity one of them had not retained the well chosen name. In
1849 the error was rectified, and T. 9 N., R. 9. W., started her
independent existence, under the not bad name of " Oakfield."
It was not, however, exactly independent existence, for T. 10
N. was still considered juvenile, and left temporarily under the
maternal guardianship of Oakfield.
The first white man who made the place glad with his smile,
or caused it to groan under the strokes of his ax, was our jolly,
whole-hearted, genial friend (they all call him friend), Wm. B.
Davis. He is there yet — a little older — but just as much of
a boy as ever; cannot speak without raising a laugh; is every7-
body7's uncle; and, (may he live forever,) everybody's friend.
God bless your genial old soul, Davis, and be hanged to yon !
if you are not a regular old game-cock! May your family
never run out, (there is a little prospect of it,) and your name
always be — Wm*. Ii. Davis!
Davis came from Madison Co., N. Y., having temporarily
resided at Sharon, Washtenaw Co. His advent in Oakfield was
June 5th, 1838. He had with him his wife and child, and
enough of the world's goods to supply until crops could be
raised. He " pegged away" in the wilderness alone with his
wife and baby for a year; whistling for company, when alone
he swung his ax, or hunted the grizzly — no, brown-nosed

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 223
bear; when, lo and behold, some neighbors came — Isaac Tower,
Wm. Thornton, and Stephen Tower. These -four, with their
families, were the sole residents in the town until 1842, when
Thomas Crinnion (a son of Erin) and the Rev. David I.
Gilbert put in their appearance. Stationary again for two
years, when Sheldon Ashley was added to the little community.
Mr. Ashley deserves more than a passing notice. Having
some means, he had soul enough to know that the world was
not for him alone. Soon settlers came in greater numbers;
many having no property, and suffering hardship. Mr. Ash
ley was their friend in need, helping them along, sympathiz
ing with them; trusting them until they could help them
selves. Mr. A. is still an honored resident, and will not thank
the historian for blazoning his deeds. But if he is vexed, it
cannot be helped. History deals in deeds and not in feelings.
When a light is kindled it is not proper to cover it with a half
bushel. His neighbors tell stories about him, and he does not
try to live down their reports.
Ashley's brother Abner came with him. He now lives in
Greenville. Several families came in 1845, as far as we can gather.
Benjamin Potter, who is still resident. He can beat the
best man in telling a story. If not happy himself, he has
enlivened many an hour for others. Benedicite!
Gabriel Stevens; still lives in his old place; not very old;
minds his own business; and of course prospers. May it be
long before the angel, whose name he bears, shall call him.
Eli White, the good old man died in 1863, aged sixty-five.
He was a public man; often held town offices; was candid,
honest and honorable.
Wm. Gould died about 1865, leaving a large family and a
good name.
Thomas Crinnion, now lives in Courtland.
David J. Gilbert moved in with his family in 1842. He
was a local preacher; quite an influential citizen; a man who
set a good example. He died in 1873, aged about 65.
William Thornton; went to Rockford; was elected sheriff
of the countv. Now resides in Grand Rapids.

>

224 MEMORIALS OF TOE
McArthurs. The three brothers — Giles, Harry and Eric.
(We begin to believe in the traditionary " Three brothers
who came over.") The McArthurs came from Ohio in 1845.
Of these, Eric died in 1875. The others are still among
the substantial men of Oakfield.
Morris Hart, a genial, social character, a respectable farmer,
died about 1868.
John Davis came from Madison county, N. Y., July, 1850, a
blacksmith by trade. For many years he was a successful busi
ness man, public-spirited and generous. The people delighted to
put him in office; they were as confident as the old Scotchman,
who, when his dominie asked him why he was always atten
tive when a stranger was in the pulpit, but quietly slept when
he preached, replied: "When you preaches, I know it is all
right, but I cannot trust a stranger." The people knew it was
all right if Davis had the managing. A series of misfortunes
" broke him up," and reduced him to the forge again. There,
bidding defiance to fortune, he works for a living in Grand
Rapids. Our most reverent obeisance to honest " Old Rag
ged." James Elsley, was respected as a good man when in a con
dition to be responsible. He was considered a monomaniac;
was feeble and sickly. He died in 1872, aged 76.
William Peterson, still alive, a jovial old soul who will en
joy life as long as he lives, and will die with a joke. Every
body likes " Uncle Billy7," because everybody finds something
to laugh at when he is around. Long life to Uncle Bill.
Isaac Tower, who, with commendable public spirit, had
raised a large family of six sons and four daughters, came to
Oakfield in 1839, to provide a new home for himself and them.
He iived but a few years, dying in 1848, his wife in 1850. His
sons, Job and Lewis, are in California; Samuel removed South;
David lives in Greenville; Winslow died in 1854, while
Stephen, a by no means insignificant man, alone remains in
Oakfield, on the old farm. Hannah married Zenas G. Winsor,
Esq., of Grand Rapids. Their nuptials, the first in the town,
were solemnized by the Rev. James Ballard, May 2d, 1840.
Mrs. Winsor died in 1869.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 225
. The first school in Oakfield was kept by Miss. Sarah Davis
(now Mrs. Almond Thompson, of Courtland), in the summer
of 1845, in a private house. She had six pupils. The first
school-house was built soon after; and Harry McArthur was
was the first teacher in it. McArthur is a man who, as an
educator, has left his mark on this and other towns. The
mark made by a good teacher is an unerasable one, and Mc-
Arthur's mark is of that character. He died in 1877, leaving
a blank in Oakfield.
The Rev. Mr. Aickly, otherwise mentioned as a pioneer, was
the first preacher in Oakfield.
The first birth among the settlers was that of William
Henry Harrison Davis, son of Wm. R. Davis, April 24th,
1S40. He was a paragon of a baby ; so his mother said; and
mothers ought to know.
The first time death ppt in his unwelcome appearance, was
an event of more than ordinary interest. Orren Gilbert, a
brother of the Rev. D. Gilbert, coming from another town, was
frozen to death on Long Lake, in March, 1833. He was dis
covered by. an Indian; the Indian went around him without
going, near, ascertained that he was dead, went to the whites
and led them to the spot, and was very particular to show that
his tracks were around and not up to the dead man; that he
might be above suspicion.
The next funeral was of an old lady — Mrs. Stewart — in 1848..
An interesting item of Indian history has its center in this
town, and has given name tothe largest lake. The Indian chief,
Wabesis (White Swan),a talented half-breed, was one interested
in making the treaty by which the Indians ceded the land to
the government. The Indians were enraged at those who
consummated the act. Wabesis was also accused by them of 4
keeping the money paid for the purchase. Instead of killing
him, as they intended, in hopes of compelling him to disgorge
his ill-gotten gains, they sentenced him to remain " on the
limits " by the side of this lake. A certain space was allowed
him, to go beyond which was death. There he lived a num
ber of years with his family Finally, another chief, Neog-
gamah, craftily enticed him beyond his bounds, induced him
15

F f

226 MEMORIALS OF THE
to go to the " green corn feast " at Plainfield ; there got him
drunk, and killed him with a fire-brand. They buried him
Indian fashion, in the rising bank, his head above ground; a
crib built around to defend his grave. In that crib they daily
placed food, tobacco, etc., for the nourishing and comfort of"
the dead, but now lamented, Wabesis. His skull, broken by
the brand, now adorns a New England museum.
The story of Wabesis is told in by no means mediocre verEe
by the talented Mrs. Kutts, of Oakfield. From it, we extract
the following lines on the burial of Wabesis :
" 0, pitiless the hand to slay
Where vengeance lured its baffled prey,
While Wabasis defenseless stood,
And dared the throng, athirst for blood.
But, when his voice in death was still,
Memories thronged, the heart to thrill;
And many feetr with silent tread,
Moved slow, in honor of the dead.
In regal state the chief was laid,
With death-dance to appease his shade.
But not forgot — for white man's gold,
Their pleasant hunting grounds were sold;
And when the dark night-shadows came,
With many a torch-light's glaring flame,
They bore the big chief to his rest
Upon the highland's lifted crest.
They placed him sitting on the hill,
That he might see the white man till
The broad plains, where his fathers sleep,
When gone were all his people's feet.
They placed him sitting in his grave,
Where he could see the gleaming wave;
And watch the white man's big canoe,
When faded were the forms he knew.
They placed him by the white man's trail,
That he might see the stranger' pale;
And where his passing feet should be
A long rebuke to treachery.
They roofed him o'er with little trees;
And bade him wait, and watch through these.
But wofully the red man rued
The day their hands in blood were brued —
For, ever at the feast of corn
Was heard his voice in taunting scorn;

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 227
And here and there his vengeful soul
Led on the hunt for hidden gold;
Then in some lone and tangled fell,
Would ring his wild, unearthly yell.
Each new moon on his grave they laid
Tobacco, to appease his shade.
But still the chief, who laid him low,
Grew nerveless as an unstrung bow;
And when the White Swan's drooping head
Told Indian that his soul had fled,
He went not on the death-trail, lone—
The red chief, too, had with him gone."
Were we good at telling " bear stories," we might give some
from Oakfield. Bear stories are good things to scare naughty
boys with, especially that one where a bear incontinently
chewed up forty-three saucy boys who insulted the good minis
ter. But men learn to be but little afraid of the varmints, and
rather like to have them about. The reason is, 'the bear is a
thick-skulled brute, who never can be taught common sense;
don't understand traps; is good game, and in a contest with
man is almost sure to come out second-best. When encount
ered by men or dogs, instead of "pitching in " like a common
sense hero, or manfully "retreating," he will either raise him
self on his haunches, double his fists, and say— "come on" —
like a boxer, hitting right and left at the dogs, while the
man has a glorious chance at him with his gun; or, like a
fool, as he is, he will take to a tree; never being able to get it
through his scalp that a tree is the last place for a hunted bear.
Our advice to all bears is " charge or retreat." But they will
never heed it; and because of their bearishness, they, of all
wild beasts, are the first exterminated.
The first bear-adventure was that of William R. and John
Davis, who encountered one of the biggest, as they were com
ing from their work some miles from home. They were re
turning with the trophies of the day — four raccoons — on the
back of their horse, when they encountered Mr. Bruin. He,
like a fool, took to a tree, and the woodman drew up the death-
dealing rifle; when behold! the cap was gone, and they had
not another. William cut a good switch, mounted Dutch, and
thrashing him into a run, disappeared; arrived, breathless, at

228 MEMORIALS OF THE
Mr Crinnion's cabin, and panting, could only exclaim, " caps!
Have you any caps?" Mrs. Crinnion, good soul, thinking he
was crazy, showed him the caps she had prepared for her ex
pected baby; but he frantically thrust them aside, saying
something that sounded like " darned fool;" seized a brand from
the fire, mounted and " vamosed." Quick as frightened Dutch
could run, he was by his brother and the bear. John took a
death aim at bruin, and, when ready7, gave the word to William,
who held a coal. The gun went off, and bruin fell;
Four hundred weight of bear,
All in a limp and bleeding mass,
Gasping and dying there."
But now came the tug of war. When bruin had yielded
his spirit in a long-drawn sigh, the question arose how to get
him home. Whoever has attempted to handle a dead bear,
will appreciate the difficulty. He is about the limpest thing
in all creation. If you lift him by the ends the middle lies
on the ground. If you lift him by the middle the ends are
not raised. They tried to put him on, the back of the old
horse, bnt he had got his Dutch up, and though the most
stolid beast that ever wagged a bob-tail, was thoroughly
aroused to the indignity of carrying a bear. He cavorted
and snorted, and said in the plainest horse-language: " I'll
see your old bear in — the woods, first." But John, too, had
got his spirit up, and he argued the case with the old horse
by first blinding him with his pocket handkerchief. The
horse became meek and penitent, and the bear, after infinite
labor, was loaded upon him. They wended their way home;
skinned and dressed their game, said their prayers, and slept
the sleep of the righteous. CHUKCHES.
The First Baptist Church was built in 1863, at a cost of $2,200. Mr.
Sheldon Ashley has the credit of being very efficient in securing its erection.
The Second Baptist Church had its origin in a revival in 1865, under the
ministration of the Rev. C. C. Miller. A church of forty-two members was
organized in 1866, and in 1867 they built their hcuse. Miller continued as
pastor of the church until 1871. He was followed by the Rev. R. Monroe,
who stayed two years, since which time th°y have had no stated pastor.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 229
This Rev. C. C- Miller is a man of his own sort, a, man of decided talent
— zealous in religion and politics, between which he regularly alternates.
If there is a revival to be got up, he is there. When the presidential elec
tion comes around, Miller is there, also, — a leader and a power. In the
county he has been a Warwick, disposing of offices and officers at his will,
yet never seeking office himself. The campaign ended, he is the parson
again — takes kindly to the hymn-book and pastoral cares. Beware how you
tread on his toes. He is a fighting parson, means to be right, but whether
right or wrong, he will " go ahead " in what he believes is right. Go it,
Miller! Religiously and politically, many call you blessed. May your
shadow be like that of'the Sequoia and your voice that of a son of
Boanerges. Be thou still, wher% thou art, a terror to evil-doers, and a
beacon ahead to guide the saints !

PARIS.
Paris is an outgrowth from the center at Grand Rapids.
Pioneers had. found the way to the Grand River and had car
ried, or sent, to other places a favorable report;. and soon, there
was an influx of settlers and speculators, who took up all desi
rable lands within easy reach of the central places. The region
was scarcely open to settlement or purchase, before there was
a swarm of those,'who were looking for land. About, or quite,
the most desirable land around the settlement at Grand Rapids
was in the township of Paris. It invited occupation; and was
very soon mostly under claim.
As far as now known, the first settlers were Joel, Edward,
and Daniel Guild, Barney Burton and James Yanderpool.
Burton is believed to have been the first. He pitched his camp
a half mile south of the Fair Grounds; securing 240 acres.
He put up the first house and the first barn. The raising of"
that barn was an event. Men sufficient could not be collected;
and it was got up in three days by using ingenuity.
The above mentioned persons settled in the township in
.1833-4— near the northern line.
In 1834, five men— Abraham Laraway, Alexander Bouk,
James Clark, Jacob Friant and Orleans Spaulding, started
together from the east part of the State; came on foot a part
of the way, and the rest in an Indian canoe. They did not
take up land until 1836; then they located themselves in the
east part of the town; and cut out a road to Grand Rapids

230 MEMORIALS OF THE
Alexander Clark came in 1834, and his brother Benjamin soon
after. In the few succeeding years we note : Nicolas Carlton, Hiram
H. Allen, Alva and Jared Wansey, the three brothers Shoe
maker (DeWitt, Clinton and Robert,) Stephen Hinsdill, James
Ballard, Robert Barr, Thomas Davis, Ezekiel Davis, Arnott
Davis, Luther Davis, Thomas Davis, Jr., and Mrs. Pattison
with her three grown sons — Jacob, Minor and James.
Many of the first settlers of Paris were poor. James Patti
son says he had $7, a cow, a hog* a dog, and a wife. Minor
Pattison had $2, an ax and gun. They had three months
provisions. They chopped five acres the first winter. They
did not consider their case a hard one. The Pattison family,
their good mother at the head, had found them a home; and
they worked to develop it. They did not sell out, but have
ever resided where first they made their humble beginning.
That part of the town is known by their name. The good old
lady Pattison, having kept herself the head of the family until
the last, in a venerated old age, died in 1866. She was one
of the women. With energy- enough to reasonably supply
half a dozen, she went to work; the first two y-ears ,on wages,
then, as the owner of forty acres, which under her wise and
energetic management grew to be 350. She came into the
Yalley with her five boys, two of them youngsters. She set
the boys the example, and they all stuck by Mother, all swear
by Mother, and all pitched their homes near Mother, in Paris
or Cascade. If all mothers were like her, we should not have
so many lazy, shiftless men.
Poor Benjamin Laraway soon became blind. Notwithstand
ing, with the aid of his extra wife, he managed to get along
pretty well. He died in 1870, having been blind thirty years.
Benjamin Clark is still on his first place. He does not
swing his ax now, but smokes his pipe, reads the papers, and
enjoys what he worked for.
The case of Orleans Spaulding is nor without its special in
terest. He came with but little means, and went to work,
clearing his lands. In the meantime his wife died, and he was
grievously afflicted with ophthalmia, so that for years he was

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 231
blind. In this state he chopped and cleared two acres of land,
planted corn, and struggled for a living. During the time
that he was blind, he one time went to the Rapids to see if in
any way he could make a raise of something to eat. In some
place of business George Evans encountered him; and, in his
direct way, said to him: " Spaulding, what are. you here for?"
Spaulding told him his situation, and whathe wanted. " Here,"
said Evans, " take this, and go to  's grocery, and get what
you want;" at the same time handing him an order on that
grocery in Evans' favor. Spaulding took the paper, went and
got three or four dollars' worth of provisions, and had them
indorsed. Yery thankful, he returned the order to Evans,
who, looking at it and seeing the small amount indorsed, said,
" Go back again, and get what you need. What you have got
won't last a week. Take up the whole order." This was but
the beginning. With no immediate prospect of pay, and a
fair chance of losing all, he continued to force upon Spaulding
' his accommodations until they amounted to several hundred
dollars; never hinting at payment; generously waiting until
better times enabled him to cancel the legal indebtedness; and
then taking, not asking, his pay. The debt of gratitude can
never be canceled; and the memory of Evans, who died under
a cloud, will ever be dear to Spaulding. It may here be added,
parenthetically, that this conduct of Evans toward Spaulding
was no exceptional instance; for, be his faults what they may,
no more generous-hearted man ever lived in the Grand River
Yalley than George C. Evans. And probably the history of
the State cannot furnish another instance where the show of
justice was so shamelessly outraged as when he, for an act
which showed no moral turpitude, was sent to the State Pris
on, there to die.
The town of Paris was organized in 1839; then including
Gaines. The first meeting was at the house of Hiram Allen.
Supervisor, Joel Guild; Clerk, Hiram H. Allen; Treasurer,
Robert Barr; Justices, II. II. Allen, H. B. Smith, Barney Bur
ton, Alexander Clark.
On the records, as elected to other offices are, Stephen Hins-
dTll, Foster Kelly, Joseph H. Blain, Jacob Pattison, John

232 MEMORIALS OF THE
Kirkland, James Ballard, Ranslaer Mesnard, Joseph K.
Palmer, Andrew Mesnard, Daniel Guild, Joseph J. Baxter,
and Walter Palmer.
An incident connected with the writer's first year in Grand
Rapids, points to the trait in the character of Robert Barr,
which probably caused the Parisians to make him treasurer.
The writer saw Mr. Barr in town with a load of wood, which
he bought. Mr. Barr said tliere was half a cord in the load.
There was more than half a cord. Match that, and you will
indicate the man whose honesty and honor need no further
proof. The load of wood is the countryman's barometer of
character. We see a wood-rack wedged in at the bottom, the
the stakes drawn together at the top, and we know that the
man who- has the load to sell is dead to honor and to shame,
for he is blazoning the fact that he will cheat the first simple-
minded person that he can. That man cannot -be trusted on
any occasion ; we would not believe his plea of " Not guilty,"
when charged with robbing a hen-roost; and we should hesi
tate to believe his confession of " Guilty," unless the guilt was
confirmed by better testimony. There is another who fills a
close wagon-body with poor wood, and covers it with some
that is " A, No. 1." He wishes to be considered a man; but
he will bear watching. Take the eggs out out of your hens'
nests at night, if you have that man for a neighbor. We once
bought such a load of a Paris man. Discovering his scoun-
drelism, we marked him. The mean pup afterwards bragged
of it. " 0 wad some power the giftie gie us,
To see oursels as ithers see us."
If the gods should vouchsafe to deal with such men, they
would not call on the mountains to fall on them, but would
be looking out for some woodchuck's hole, in which to hide
themselves. Again, you see the man with his load of wood, good or
poor, manifestly showing what it is, ask him the quantity, and
you find abundant measure there; seek no further evidence of
character; elect him treasurer;, go his bail; you are safe. %

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 233
Paris has been the theatre of some incidents of thrillin

t>

interest, among which we will note the shooting of a man in
mistake for a deer. A Mr. Sizer was thus shot by an Indian,
in 1836, near Plaster Creek. The Indian rule is, "a life for a
life," and this one, thinking his life was forfeited, went to
Mr. Slater at the Mission and gave himself up. To his sur
prise he was assured that he would not be punished.
A stranger, by the name of Moore, got lost'in the woods of
Paris, and perished. He was found in a decomposed state,
months afterward. With him were found some money, his
watch and his name. His residence was never learned. But
. people recollected a man's cries in the woods, and the appear
ance at the settlement of a horse with a saddle on. They had
answered the cries by blowing horns, and by searching with
lanterns. Finding no one, they had let the matter pass.
To be lost is one of the common incidents of the settler's
life. Do you know what it is to be lost? It is to cease to
have the idea of direction — there is no north, south, east or
west. Happy for the person lost if he does not in his bewilder
ment of direction, lose also his common instincts, and his
common judgment. He looks around him in a maze, and
starts off in some direction; goes on; stops; looks around,
and goes on again. He shouts, and hears in return only the
echoes of his own voice. Desperate, he pushes on again.
His senses begin to reel, but he pushes on, going round and
round until overcome with fatigue, he sits down by a tree,
and waits for morning. In the morning he starts on again.
Hunger begins to gnaw him, but he pushes on, and comes
to the tree where he passed the night. With the horrible
feeling of " lost," he starts again. A gleam of reason flashes
over his mind: " I will find a brook, and that will lead me
somewhere. Anything but this everlasting going round."
To keep himself in the line he will take sights on the trees,
until he finds a brook. He follows that, and it leads him, as
he expected— somewhere. If he knows the nature of the
streams, acting in his reason, he can by the waters be led out
to the settlements. But the more common way is to wander
% if bereft of all reason, sink down and die near the place of
starting.

234 MEMORIALS OF THE
During the first years of his residence in Paris, Mr. Burton
had an experience of this kind. On his way from Gull Prai
rie to Grand Rapids, he, with several others, camped for the
night in the wilds, spancelled their horses, and turned them
out to feed. In the morning some of the horses could not
be found, and Mr. Burton set out to look for them— and got
lost. After wandering long, his common sense came to him,
and he looked for a brook, found one, and guided by that came
out at Ada, on the third day. He knew a stream would final
ly bring him to the Grand River, as it did.
Some remini scences of early times have been kindly furnished
by H. H. Allen, Esq., an early settler, and long an hon
ored citizen. From them, we extract in substance, what fol
lows. Mr. Allen came to Michigan in 1830, and having explored
for awhile, concluded- to settle at Tecumseh. In his explora
tions, he slept at many places where they had no floors in their
houses, and no furniture but their boxes. In 1837, he de
cided on leaving Tecumseh, and pushed alone to the Grand
River, to explore for himself; pitched upon a location, and
went back for his family, his cattle, and his goods. He had
rented a log house for temporary occupation. When coming
in with a load, and driving some cattle and hogs, his load was
mired, and the most of two days were spent in getting it out.
His hogs got away, and went back to Yankee Springs.
In the cold winter of 1842-3, everybody began to wonder
how they should get their cattle through. Mr. A. had six
teen, and a horse or two, and it was the winter's work to save
their lives. He had some feed, but it was manifest that his
cattle must browse or starve, and he told them so.
He went to chopping down the oak trees and invited them
to help themselves. At first they demurred; but the great
persuader, hunger, brought them to terms. He chopped to
save his stock; and they browsed to save their lives; and the
consequence was, they all came through well, and he had four
teen acres cut down, which he otherwise would not have had.
That winter is painfully recollected by all. The snow was very
deep; the cold severe; and the winter long, continuing far

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 235
into April. It is easy in a civilized land, with the appliances
of civilization, to contemplate a hard, long winter. The farmer
can put on his muffler and mittens, go to his barn, and fodder
his cattle; then come to the house, smoke his pipe, and read
the papers. But it is not so with the settler in the savage
wilds". He has not his barn; and only, a small stack of marsh
hay; and has expected that, in the main, his cattle would pick
their living in the woods. The snow comes on deep and the
cattle cannot get around. His scanty stacks are becoming
beautifully less every day7. He must go to felling trees in the
blinding storm; and must break paths to them for his beasts.
There is to him no coming in when it snows; for the fiercer
the storm, the more imperative is his labor. How welcome
to him is the departure of snow, and the sprouting of the
leeks. The winter before mentioned was terrible to the settlers.
The hogs • in general died ; and cattle perished, or were pre
served by desperate labor. But spring came at last.
There are some animals, as well as men, that do not wish
to die; and of such were the hogs of J. A. Allyn, of Paris, in
that dreadful winter. In the middle of February they were
found in a stack of marsh hay in the meadow. They had
spoiled the stack, but were alive, and the most unhogish set
of hogs that ever dishonored Michigan. They had lost all
self-respect; and oh, how they did smell! The attar of roses
was a perfume in comparison with them. Their presence was
as disgusting as that of a dandy perfumed with musk, or of ¦
the more respectable "Mephitis Americanus," the French
" L'eufant de diable," or the " mountain sab\e,"-^vulgovocato,
" skunk." The early history of Paris is so closely interwoven with that
of the Grand Rapids settlement, that really they are one.
Grand Rapids spread out and covered the towns of Walker
and Paris. Time brought about division, and established in
dependent towns. Yet the filial relation is still kept up—
there is no real independence. PLAINFIELD.
Plainfield was one of the towns that were early organized;

236 MEMORIALS OF THE
at first with the territory of two townships. The settlers at
that time were " squatters," mostly near where is the old vil
lage of Plainfield. The organization was at a log hut, used as
a school-nouse, the first Monday in April, 1838, when were
elected: Zenas G. Winsor, Supervisor; Ethiel Whitney7, Clerk; Dan
iel North, Samuel Baker, Z. G. Winsor, Geo. Miller, Justices.
On the records of that date appear the names of the follow
ing, in addition:
Andrew Watson, A. D. W. Stout, Warner Dexter, Cornelius
Friant, Damas Francisco, Henry Godwin, Jacob Francisco;
Jacob Friant, James Francisco, and Ezra Whitney, who were
honored by being elected to office. Some of these were not
residents of what is now Plainfield.
The one to whom the credit is given of being the pioneer, is
our now venerable friend, George Miller, Esq., whom all have.
had self-respect, enough to honor, and whose presence still dig
nifies his early home. He, with his family, pushed out from
Grand Rapids to Plainfield, in 1837. The same year, James
Clark, Thomas Friant and Warner Dexter became his neigh
bors. They had Indians for neighbors, and soon found Indian
friends. By the work of their hands, by the aid of Indians,
and by what they could canoe up the river, they weathered the
first season; when a few others were added to their number —
Cornelius Friant, Zerra Whitney and Daniel North. They
were obliged to live nearly Indian fashion; pound their grain,
or grind it in a coffee mill; hunt for their meat, or pay a price
beyond their slender finances. After all, there is a good deal
in thinking. A good, pious widow, who could be thankful for
little, had nurtured her little boy in the same spirit. Having
an insufficiency of bed-clothes, she had arranged the bed of
her son so as to cover it with an old door. One night, as she
was about leaving him to his rest, and had carefully placed the
door over him, he said to her: "How do those poor people get
along who have not got any door to cover them these cold
nights?" He was warm, and could be happy. So, give a fam
ily a log cabin, a big roaring fire, a haunch of venison and a
kettle of hulled corn; and give them loving hearts and the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 237
spirit of thankfulness, they are not to be pitied. Some one has
said, " man lives not by bread alone." It is no shame to begin
small; if it were, we should all be obliged to hide our heads
in shame; for we all began very small. But who wishes to be
a baby forever? The baby is only the beginning of a man.
We don't pity the baby at all. No, bless its little heart, we
love it. But let us call on him ten years later, and see him
not developed, we turn in disgust from the fool. Just so we
look on the squatter in the woods. There is beauty in their
primitive simplicity of life, and their smiling, cheerful con
tent. Let us pass their abode twenty years afterwards; find
.there the same primitive, undeveloped house and lands; the
same content with little or nothing; and we say, "shiftless!"
and turn away in disgust. One may wisely be contented with
little at present; but he is one of Nature's abortions if he does
not strive for more.
Soon a cluster of houses was at Plainfield, which assumed
the dignity of a village, noted on the Grand River for its
shingle trade. For a time it had rather a hard name. Some
bad characters centered there, which made it more of a merit
to be respectable. The village is where it cannot thrive.
When it was the last village at the North, it was a smart little
place. Its death blow was given it when the railroad, passed
it by, giving all its business to Rockford. It seemed natural
that a village should grow up at the mouth of the Rogue
River. But that river at present furnishes but little business,
and what little it does furnish is growing beautifully less.
Buyout that old saw-mill; put up a manufactory there; or,
"Fuit Ilium" will be written where the village of Plainfield
now is. " Fuit Ilium " is said to be Latin for " gone up."
The history of Plainfield is mostly of its lumber operations;
its saw-inills and lumber trade. But that business has long
since culminated; the pine of the town hasbeen cut off, mills
have gone down, or keep up existence by doing business on a
smaller scale, and the town is thrown upon her agricultural
resources. Some of the best land in the Yalley is here; and
the town has many good farms.
The town has not distinguished itself in the way of churches.
It has but one, and that " don't go."

238 MEMORIALS OF THE
In Indian times, Plainfield was an Indian place. Several
of the most noted Indians had their residence there: Long
Nose, whose tragic death is elsewhere spoken of; Wabesis,
another victim of Indian hate, and Canote, the "beautiful,"
were among them. Their burial mounds are on the plain,
but otherwise the Indians are a memory. The people, in
speaking of Canote generally say he was the most graceful
man they ever saw — a perfect Apollo, besides being very much
of a gentleman; who at the table of the white man, could
charm the whole by his superior grace.
The first birth and death in the town of Plainfield were in
the family of George Miller — twin children — born but to die,
in 1838. '
Settlers could not secure their claims until the great land
sale in 1839. They had before " squatted " pre-empted, and
organized a town. Indians and white men were living to
gether; each amicably acknowledging the other's rights.
After the sale, the Indians disappeared. Their burial mounds
are the memento left behind. But these are not respected.
The plow goes over them, and they are desecrated by the
shovel of the curious.
Is it sad, or is it not, that the red man is disappearing? It
is a law of Nature, and therefore a law of God, that the
weaker must give way to the stronger; that the savage must
give up the earth to civilized man. The Indian in America
must adopt the habits of civilization, or perish. There is no
use in our being sentimental about it — they know their destiny
and we know it. We never shall admit the claim of the hun
ter to keep out the ax and the plow. The Indians' rights
are respected by the Government. We pay them for their
hunter's claim, and give them the chances of citizens. If
they will not then become citizens, let them submit to their
destiny— -perish. When a section of land can support an
hundred civilized people, we shall not leave, from motives of
delicacy, that section for the miserable sustenance of one

The land is the world's. A man may gain an occupancy,
but the ultimate title is in the State. The State gives no man

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 239
a right to say the land is his own. A man passes away, but
the land is eternal— a perpetual chance for men to live. 'Tis
wrong in principle to allow a-man, or any set of men, to keep
the soil from culture; the power of water from being used, or
the mines from being developed. To a limited degree our
laws give that power. When we realize that no "universal
good " can be accomplished without " partial evil," there is
no propriety in being restrained by that partial evil. The
Indian has the same chance as the rest of us; that is, in the
classical language of Horace Greeley, "Root hog, or die."
Mankind, as a whole, are a great institution; but an individ
ual, whether white, red or black, is a small concern. The
world lived without you or me, and can and will do it again.
But it cannot live without the land. Think of that, when yoii
say the Indians once owned this State. They never owned it;
neither do you or / own the land we occupy. We only own
certain rights to it, the State, representing mankind, present
and future, having the paramount right.
' We welcome the Indians to the ranks of civilization. Let
them come forward and be men ;• or America will soon leave
no place for them; and it is right. There are a good many
hard things for individuals to bear in this " mundane, terres-
tial earth;" but after all, you had better believe that the All-
seeing Eye sees nothing but harmony, and that eternal pur
poses are the best judgment of Infinite Wisdom. Many think
they see clearly how things ought to have been, and tell God
so in their prayers. The writer must confess that he has had
this conceit of his own wisdom ; but he is now very well
' satisfied that he could not manage the world much better than
God does.
Organized 1838, the townships 8 north, ranges 10 and 11
west, except what lies south of the Grand River.
1846, township 9 north, range 11 west, detached from Court-
land and added to Plainfield; also, 1847, what of township 8
north, lies south of Grand River.
1848, free bridge built partly by the State.
The first settlers were Thomas Friant, who came in Novem
ber, 1836, who was in the employ of James Clark. His em-

240 MEMORIALS OF THE
ployment was to take care of Clark's cattle. He and his fam
ily spent the winter with no white neighbors. To get across
the river they took their wagon apart and carried it, piecemeal,
in a canoe. In the spring some others came and squatted on
lands : James Clark, Andrew Watson and George Miller were
in before June, '37. Many persons pre-empted lands this year,
who stayed on them a little while, sold out and went off. They
merit no special mention. Of those who this .year came on to
- stay, we are able to mention, Gideon H. Gordon, who built the
first saw-mill on Rogue River, one-half mile from its mouth;
Jonathan and Abner Misner, Cornelius Friant, Ethan Whit
ney, Daniel North, John Page, Aaron Eager, Z. G. Winsor,
— Baker (7 feet high). These all lived within a mile or so of
the river.
Of these pioneers, at the present writing (1875), Geo. Mil
ler and Cornelius Friant are still living in Plainfield. Jonathan
Misner at Grand Rapids; Ethan Whitney, in Solon; Z. G.
Winsor at Grand Haven; Abner Misner killed himself about
'68; Gideon Gordon died early — '41; James Clark, died; An
drew Watson, '68 ; Geo. Gordon died about '55 ; Daniel North
about '66 ; Mr. Page left many years ago, and went to Missouri.
Thomas Cranson was among the comers of 1838. He came
in May from Tompkins Co., N. Y. His recollection is that
he found here when he came, the persons whose names are
above given. At that time Wm. Withey was building a mill
on Mill Creek, one mile from the mouth.
About twenty-five families of Indians were resident; their
chief Neog'gemaw. Their former chief, Kenoti'mischco.
Kenoti is described as a very beautiful man. In fact his name
was given him as indicative of his personal beauty.
In the scraps of Indian history, the tragical end of Long
Nose is given. The Indian who killed him was tried by the
clan, and afterwards lived a kind of outcast.
The Indians were disposed to be very kind and to keep
quiet, but they would have awful drunken frolics.
The first school was in the winter of 1837-8, in a log school
house near Friant's. It was taught by Jonathan Whitney.
The next summer the school was kept by Miss Mary Fran
cisco. The school-house was this year burned and rebuilt.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 241
The first marriage was that of Wm. Livingston and a
daughter of Esq. Miller, in 1838. This Livingston put up the
first frame barn the same year. SOLON.
Solon, formerly North Algoma, was organized as a town in
1857. The first town meeting at tlie house of Walter Rowe.
Edward Jewell, Supervisor; John E. Roys, Clerk; John
D. Watkins, Treasurer; Andrew Fluent, Munson Robinson,
Obadiah Smith, Justices.
Gladly would we give Solon a history, but she scarcely can
be said to have one to write. Little can be said of the town
without repeating the remarks on the other towns in the north
ern tier.
Perhaps the most picturesque town in the Yalley7, with
places of surpassing loveh'ness, its history is of lumber camps,
saw-mills, and blackberry excursions. It is slowly filling up,
and will be a beautiful town; its lake scenery is unsurpassed;
its land as good as any pine town; and its vicinity to railroads
is such that its inhabitants are in free communication with the
outer world. So far, it 'has only made openings, and begun
improvements. Its reality is in the future. The beauty of its
scenery will attract people of taste; and it will not long be a
place for blackberry parties to range, but will assume the
position of a place to go to for pleasure, and to enjoy beautiful
scenery. We mean, when we get rich, to locate our " chateau "
between the " Sand Lakes;" for, to our eyes, alovelier spot does
not exist in Michigan. If some other person gets the start of
us, and secures that location, we will be content to build our
country-seat on the shore of Long Lake. We have already
picked blackberries there, and have, in fancy's dreams, seen
our house, park and pleasure-grounds along that shore — our
boat on its waters, and our fields and vineyards by its side.
What has been Our dream of fancy, some other sinner, who has
a soul for beauty, will realize.
To malce a show of history for Solon, we might go on and
tell that certain persons were the first settlers. But what of
that? They were all too late to make it a merit, or a distinc-
16

242 MEMORIALS OF THE
tion. A person must have settled in Kent county long before
1850, to be entitled to mention as a " settler." A man must
have some other merit to entitle him to historical notice. The
town was reached, not by adventurous men, who left all be
hind and pushed far into the wilds, but by the progress of
settlement — going just beyond the others. We have been
strongly tempted to manufacture a " bear story," or to locate
a gang of " bogus makers " there. But from the last, we were
deterred by the fact that we did not wish that the history of
the town where our " chateau " is yet to rise, should present
a blotted page. We then sought for a " horrid murder," but
they have not had the enterprise to furnish us one. Well,
what could we do? We could only look at the town and ad
mire, leaving its " history " to a future writer.
Solon may claim a part of Cedar Springs which has a brief
history. She may divide that with Nelson.
But now, you slighted denizens of Solon, though you have
done nothing for the historian's pen to relate, mark well his
prediction (he has, in another place, given the reason why he
may claim to be prophetic): A steamboat will, ere twentyyears
have sped, be plying on Long Lake. The shores of that and
the Sand Lakes will be the resort of pleasure parties. Your
town will be the popular resort for picnics and excursions.
Fine houses will go up in your romantic spots ; and you will
put on airs. Make a good road from Cedar Springs to the
"Lake Region," and you will then see the dawn of that day.
From that day it will be a safe investment to put up a hotel
there. Call me "romancer "if you please; but there's a big
city not far from you, and a city must have its pleasure
grounds. If this does not come to pass as predicted, as you
pass the grave of the visionary writer, call him "fool."
SPARTA.
Sparta was not settled until civilization had taken deep root
in the Grand River Yalley, and had no instance of startling
pioneer adventure, or of special pioneer hardship. The fact
is, there were in the Yalley more than 10,000 civilized white
people before one of them, pushing into the next township,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 243
located himself in 'Sparta. So we shall not give any great
credit to the one who cut down the first tree, or put up the
first shanty, but shall lump together those who first came, and
commence with the organization of the town.'
It had been an appended territory to Walker until 1846,
when at a meeting, held at the house of Clark Brown, it was
organized as a town by itself, April 6th. At this meeting 23
persons were present and voted; and the following persons
bore off the town honors:
Lewis W. Pnrdy, Supervisor; John M. Balcom, Clerk;
Myron H. Balcom, Treasurer; Wm. Rodgers, Charles B.
Hatch, Edward H. Wylie, Elihu Rice, Justices.
The following is a list of voters then in the town (which
included Tyrone), with some who are known to have come in
the next year:
• Caleb Amadan, Benj. Blackall, Clark Brown, John M. Bal
com, Wm. Blackall, Myron II. Balcom, Wyman M. Bartlett,
Newel Barker, Myron H. Bird, Jacob A. Bradford, Anthony
Chapman, Joel French, James Huff, Charles B. Hatch, Jacob
Hiles, Minor Letts, David B. Martindale, Benj. Myers, Jno.
E. Nash, Parsly Otis, Berry D. Pearl, Lewis W. Purdy, Elihu
Rice, Wm. Rodgers, John A. Simmons, Jacob Spangenbnrg,
James Y. Simmons, Geo. Spangenburg, Philip Slaght, Lyman
Smith, Luther Yan Horn, Harvey Yan Horn, Edward H.
Wylie. In 1848, 39 voters were present and voted.
In 1849, the poll list was 100, indicating a rapid settlement.
The historical gleanings are: In 1844, Lyman Smith (now
of Grand Traverse), settled on section 25. The same year
Norman and Edwin Cummings put up shanties on Sec. 34,
where Norman now lives. Soon came Lewis Purdy, who, more
aristocratic, put up a log house — the first in the town. His
wife was the first white woman in the town. The same year,
in the fall, Hiram H. My7ers located east of Rogue River, and
in the winter was followed by his father and his family. They
took up a good deal of land, and were extensively engaged in
building. In January, 1845, the town received quite an acquisition, in

244 MEMORIALS OF THE
the person of Joseph English, who came direct from England.
Mr. English is a character, and the historic pen may well
pause and give the romantic story of his life. He is now, in
a green okd age, enjoying his wealth and dignity in an unpre
tentious home, with his good old lady, of whom he is very
proud, by his side; his family all settled around him, with
nothing to do but take care of his hens and cabbages. Get
the right side of him, and he will tell you the most romantic
story of how he " wooed and wop his bride" — the ancient lady
who smilingly7 looks on, while the beaming eyes of the old
lover fairly glisten with triumph. It is in substance this:
Twenty-one years found him in England, an illiterate, grace
less youth, unable to read or write, and with only a poor, Eng
lish mechanic's prospects in life. One day, passing a house,
a vision of angelic loveliness presented itself before him. It
was no other than of a lass of sweet sixteen, feeding the chick
ens. With eyes and mouth open, he gazed at her for a mo
ment, mustered his courage, approached the fence and said: " I
am going to have you for my wife." " Get along with you,
you vagabond!" was her answer. Nothing daunted, he said to
her, "You may say as much as you please, but I'll have you."
"If yon don't clear out," said she, "1*11 set the dog on you,
yon miserable, putty -faced ragamuffin!" "Good-bye, Miss;
but I'll see you again soon, and I'm going to have you for my
wife." "Out with you!" said she, hurling a slop-bucket at
his head, which he dodged, winking with his left eye, and say
ing, " I'll call again and see you to-morrow, and you'll be my
wife, sartin." True to his word, he called at the house the
next day, and inquired for that girl that was going to be his
wife. Mamma, aunt and girl, all pitched at him, drove him
out of doors, and, with a commingled chorus of screaming
voices, bade him make himself scarce. Cocking his head on
one side, when out of the reach of their missiles, he said: " Say
what you've a mind to, I'll have her." Next day — the next —
the next, and the next, he presented himself at the door, to be
greeted with slop pails emptied on his head, and with the
shrieking, " Get out, you vagabond!" Here the old gentleman
stops the narration; but with a triumphant snapping of his

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 245
eyes, he says, " I got her!" The modus operandi he does not
tell. But be it what it may, it illustrates the doctrine of
"perseverance." "He that perseveres until the end," etc.,
etc. "Fortune favors the brave;" or as was written for us as a
copy by a schoolmaster who had read the " Liber Primus" in
Latin, and wished to display his learning, " Fortis fortuna
juvat." We always remembered that, and made use of it in
turn when we kept a school. English illustrates that. By per
severance and braving dish cloths, slop pails and maledictions,
he won his bride. By perseverance and .bravery he rose to be
a master mechanic, and to be the honest possessor of $15,000.
With this, in 1843, he came to America, and went to specula
ting at Grand Rapids and thereabouts. The result illustrates
another principle embodied in the old proverb: "Let the cob
bler stick to his last." Mr. E. ought to have known that it
was hazardous for an English master builder to turn his prop
erty into cash, put himself in competition with Michigan cus-
seduess, and go to speculating in lumber. But so he did; and
in two and a half years found his pretty little pile of dollars in
pther people's pockets; while his own pocket was like a
cuckoo's nest in March. Did English commit suicide? Did
he go boo-hooing like a whipped urchin? Or did he sit down
on a stump, and write a poem on the uncertainty of earthly
hopes? Not he. Having speculated out of fortune, he deter
mined to speculate in. He bought land on credit. He made
shingles, which he sold for $1 per thousand; working from four
in the morning until nine at night, and shaving five thousand
per day. Working and speculating, 1855 found him able to
build a steam mill in Alpine. The next year this was burned.
Again his capital was his brains and his pluck. With these
he went to lumbering on Rogue River; did well; built mills;
bought land; got rich; divided his property among his chil
dren; with a cheerful heart resigned business, and, with the
wife of his youth, is happily biding his time. Born in 1803,
he still works; not from necessity, but because if he did not
he could not live. He has his four sons settled around him.
He always was a happy dog, that never would howl, though

246 MEMORIALS OF THE
his bark was sharp, and expressive of grit. Long life to you,
" Uncle Jo."
In the spring of 1845, Cummings— the father of the good-
looking and well-known Norman, Edwin and Nelson — -came
on where his boys had begun. In June of the same year, Elihu
Rice, John Symes and Anthony Chapman came on together.
They had to cut their road; and with one hundred feet of
boards, which they brought along, made a shelter. The writer
was lately in the beautiful cottage of Symes, and was looking
at a photograph of the house which hung in the parlor. The
old lady said : " You should see by the side of this the first
house we lived in here — one hundred feet of boards resting
on two poles ; brush piled at the sides to break the wind ; a log
heap in front to cook by; only one chair, and other things in
proportion." We asked her if they were not as happy in that
as in this. " Yes," said she, " a great deal more so.' We re
flected on human nature, and for once mentally extemporized
poetry : Contented with little, why grasping for more.
We believe that is original, if not with us, it was with
somebody else more than 100 years ago.
David B. Martindale was an 1845-man. He spent his
days in the town, dying in 1872. Also the same year came
Myron and John Balcom. Myron removed to Missouri;
John has always stayed, and the genial countenance of the
deacon welcomes the traveler to the hotel at Nashville.
Clark Brown, at whose house the town was organized, and
who then with dignity presided over the assembled multi
tude, is still where he erected his humble shed in 1845. Now
he looks up in the world. A roomy mansion is the home of
his well-fed and well-rounded person. He looks the digni
fied alderman, and he enjoys his beautiful home, unruffled by
anything bnt the villainous cloth-peddler. At the sight of
one of them his boscfrn swells with ire. A good-looking
patriarch, we hope his shadow will long be seen in the streets
of Sparta.
In 1846, from Greenfield, Massachusetts, came Jonathan E.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 247
Nash, the son of Elihu, who was the son of Theophilus, who
was the son of Jehoniah, who was the son of Epaphroditus,
who was the son of Zoroaster, who was the son of the original
Eliakim Nash. (See the "Nash Genealogy.") From the
aforesaid " Genealogy," we learn that the name was originally
Written " Gnash." But why, is not mentioned. Some dim
allusions to "gnashing of teeth," are connected with the
fairiily traditions. Beyond this Eliakim Nash, no record or
tradition is preserved, and he is looked to as the source of the
race and name. But for our purpose it matter's little. Jona
than E. is a present reality. Eliakim is now but a name, per
haps a myth. This Jonathan E. has alway-s been a mighty
hrrhter; the terror of bees and deer; a provident and
thoughtful hunter, who always before starting for the forest
with dog and gun, kills a sheep, to be sure his family may
have meat on his return. He sometimes brings home a deer,
but whether he brings meat or no, he always brings a genial
countenance, and greets the one who would joke at his
expense, with a laugh that is contagious. He has also been
death on all candidates for office, who were nominated in
opposition to him. So much is this the case, that now when
Jonathan is nominated, the opposing candidate, of his own
accord, " comes down and gives up his fur." Jonathan has
laid out a village which bears his name, and there he lives, —
not " Esq. Nash," nor " Mr. Nash," but " Jonathan"— about as
happy a specimen of humanity as ever bade defiance to the
blues, or lived to diffuse happiness.
Sparta has two villages — Nashville and Lisbon.
Nashville is a pleasant country center, and is growing. It
has two churches — Baptist and Methodist, each of which have
good houses of worship, both built in '66. It has a Lodge of
Good Templars, whose influence for good has been felt and
acknowledged. Quite an impulse has been given to the
growth of the village by the Newaygo Railroad. The village,
has no charter.
Lisbon, lying partly in Sparta and partly in Chester,
Ottawa county, was chartered in 1869. Its first settler and
first post-master was John Pin tier, who located there in '46.

248 MEMORIALS OF THE
The place was called "Pintler's Corners." In 1859, the
post-office was named Lisbon, and the name was afterwards
adopted by the village. The village is pleasantly situated on
elevated ground, but not where it has the prospect of grow
ing, the presumption being that a contemplated railroad will
leave them in the distance. The inhabitants justly pride
themselves on the good order and general intelligence of the
people; on their graded school, and home-like associations.
The Good Templars have for many years kept up an effective
working lodge, which is educating the young people into
sound principles and the social virtues. This village is the
" Sweet Auburn " of the region.
As a town, Sparta has alway7s ranked high for the charac
ter and intelligence of the people. Among the young there
is the desire to be, and not to seem. Temperance has a strong"
hold on them, and there is mental culture. When temperance
organizations gave up existence in every- other town in the
county, Sparta maintained her two lodges of Good Templars.
Their influence has told for good. Would we could say all the
young people were members of the order. But the sad fact
must be told — there are in the town three young men who are
not ashamed to go into a saloon! Though the door is the
open gate of perdition, Sparta has three young men who can
step within. Good-bye, young men! You left your hopes,
your characters and your good name outside. Lost! lost! lost!
Farewell! There — -one of those young men is coming out of that
saloon. See him! And then take a look at that young Good
Templar that he is meeting. God pity the one! The other
needs not our prayers. Grasping his moral principles with
hands of iron — with his eye on the Eternal — we are willing to
risk him. God speed you, Good Templars! Our hat rises
to the young person who honors himself. It is a habit that a
good many hats besides ours have got into.
SPENCER.
Spencer is one of the towns that were reached by settle
ment in its natural progress, when people just go into the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 249
woods beyond their neighbors. The Grand River Yalley be
gan to be settled in 1833, but the first occupant of land in
Spencer did not locate himself until 1846 — thirteen years after.
When it is considered that he was only some sixteen miles from
the village of Plainfield, and that the intervening space was
occupied, that roads were open, mills and markets within easy
reach, that it was only to yoke up Bright and Brindle, and in
one hour be in the midst of a civilized people, we will
hardly call him a daring pioneer. As Spencer was reached in
progress, we will say little of its settlement.
Yet, unimportant as is the fact, and recent as is the date,
who was the first to occupy is a matter of dispute. It is
claimed that an old trapper by the name of Lincoln, was the
first. But this Lincoln's first location was in Montcalm, coun
ty, and he moved his chebang into Nelson after others had
come in. Beyond this, it is conceded that Cyrus B. Thomas,
who came from Washtenaw county in 1845, was the first that
located over the line. He came with his two boys — William
and Levi — and settled by the south line of the town, where
still the family occupy. Here Mr. Thomas lived three years ;
not "monarch of all he surveyed," but sole resident in the
township. It was not until 1853 that others moved into the
town. Then came Abner Haskins and his two sons, Joseph
and Alexander, Henry Stoltz, James Tuck, Samuel McClelland,
Elias Markley, Jesse Haskins, and possibly some others.
But it matters little who were the earliest settlers ; they had
nothing to encounter, but the work to clear up their lands ;
they were simply borderers, not adventurers.
The town assumed political individuality under the name of
"Celsus," in 1861; the first meeting being at the house of
Thomas Spencer, on the first Monday in April.
Those who have the honor of being the first town officers
were: Freeman Yan Wickle, Supervisor; Henry A. Freeman,
Clerk; Wm. W. Hewitt, Ed. D. Clark, Justices.
The settlement of Spencer was rather slow, owing to the
fact that it was a region that invited the lumberman, rather
than the* farmer. Until recently, it was supposed that a piece

250 MEMORIALS OF THE
of pine land after the pine was off was nearly worthless; the
consequence was that pine lands were not considered settlers'
lands. Where the timber is pine, the first operation is to cut
that off. Lumber camps are located, and the pine disappears.
Then the land will be taken by those who are too old to push
into the wilderness ; or who are unwilling to go beyond the
skirts of civilization; or by those whose capital will not allow
them to buy cultivated farms. The " stump machine " be
comes the principal agricultural implement ; and in the wake
of that, the plow and reaper will follow. There is little of the
pine region which cannot be turned to good account by those
who would live from the soil. The famous " fruit belt " near
the shore of Lake Michigan, is no more nor less than one of
the least inviting " pine barrens." A year or two ago, passing
through that region, the writer observed a man fencing a
piece of land. He stopped, and expressed his admiration of
the benevolence of the man, who was putting up a fence to
keep the poor cattle out of a place where they must starve ; he
further asked the man if he owned those premises ; and be
ing assured that he did, he, with a Yankee curiosity, inquired
what the former owner gave him to take it off his hands.
Didn't his eyes open a little when the man informed him that
he gave $50 an acre for this land, which would apparently
starve a grasshopper, if sole occupant of a ten acre lot. It was
"fruit land," and the owner, far from asking pity, was revel
ing in visions of peaches, raspberries and cash. Spencer does
not ask our sympathy. She has still her virgin pine, which is
itself a mine of wealth; and then, she can make farms where
the pine has been taken off; that she is doing. Her history is
of the future.
The old trapper looked upon the region as a place for rais
ing muskrats. Then followed the lumberman, who saw noth
ing but pine. What cared he for Lincoln and his "rats." He
saw beauty in a saw-log. " Hie jacet " will soon mark the
grave of the lumberman, and the land will be what is looked
to. First, the animals, then the trees, and last, the soil; each
step marking a grade of civilization. To show the progress of
civilization in Spencer — Lincoln caught muskrats; Thomas

1-1

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 251
Spencer put up the first saw-mill in 1863; Cyrus Thomas
located the first farm. Muskrats and timber are things of
brief time, but the land is eternal.
The first teacher in the town was Miss Harriet White.
Thomas died in 1852, and rests in Oakfield Cemetery. Miss
White is also there.
The town was first named "Celsus," but afterwards the
name was changed to Spencer, in compliment to her prominent
citizen Thomas Spencer; thus sacrificing poetry to merited
compliment. How anxious we are to perpetuate a name!
When we are forgotten, it is cheering to think our name will
not be lost. And how the dying eyes will glisten as the
death-damps are on the brow, if we are told our name will still
survive; not as ours, but as the name of a town! We will
give a new set of books to the town that will so compliment
us; will orate for them gratis on the Fourth of July, and then
will sweetly dream of our name's immortality !
TYRONE.
Tyrone was a part of Sparta until 1855, when, by the Su
pervisors, it was set off and became a town by itself. Its
organization was effected at the school-house near the south
west corner of the town, April 2d. There were elected:
Uriah Chubb, Supervisor; Albert Clute, Clerk; Harlow
Jackson, Treasurer; Patrick Thompson, Albert Clute, Uriah
Chubb, Justices.
On the record appear the additional names of John W.
Thompson, Theodore P. Scott, Lot Folkerson, Df.rwin B.
Clute, Wm. Daggett, Leander Smith, Peleg Brownell, Jona
than P. Niles, Reuben Barr, Bela Chase, James Blackall.
Of these, Patrick Thompson, Peleg Brownell, J. P. Niles
and R. Barr were but transient residents. Bela Chase died
in 1868; Albert Clute died from disease contracted in the
army; James Blackall was killed in the war. The remainder
of the list are still resident in the town. That grim messen
ger of fate, Death, has been quite indulgent to Tyrone; giving
the first settlers time for repentance, of which, it is to be hoped,
they have made good use. But let them not trust too far.

252 MEMORIALS OF THE
White hairs are an admonition that the unwelcome reprobate'
is coming along.
A tax of $50 was voted for town purposes, and $10 for a
burying ground. It would seem that in those good old times
there was but little to tempt a town treasurer to go into irreg
ular financiering.
In 1856, the number of votes for Representative was twen
ty-three—for Littlejohn fifteen; for Waldbridge, eight— prov
ing that the town was Democratic.
The remark applied to the other towns of the northern tier
in Kent county, applies to this town: Its pioneer history has
little of interest, settled, as it was, so long after the Grand
River Yalley was a civilized region.
The first who sought a home in the town, was Mrs. Louisa
Scott, a woman of great energy of character; who, finding her
self with a crazy husband, and a lot of long-legged boys, took
the helm into her own hands; and, struggling against accu
mulated adversity, maintained for herself and family an honora
ble position. Her sons have all died but one, and he is a
cripple. Her husband is a happy lunatic at the poorhouse; ¦
considers himself the owner of the establishment, and is
known there as " Gen. Scott." A woman can do something
besides spend man's earnings; Mrs. Scott has demonstrated
that. Mr. Scott died in 1877.
Mrs. Scott came in 1850; Lot Folkerson came the next year.
Just over the line, in Casenovia, was Mr. Waterman, a mighty
hunter, at sight of whom a bear would give up his fur; not
voluntarily, it is true, but Waterman had a power of persuasion
that no bear could resist. Twenty-three of their shaggy hides
were his trophies one fall. The bears knew Waterman; warned
each other to give him a wide berth. But his eye was to them
the eye of a basilisk — to fix it on them was death. He was to them
what whisky is to the youth — a thing to be kept out of sight
of. As certain as a bear, prompted by curiosity to see the
enemy, or tempted by the grunting of innocent pigs, came
snooting around, one crack of Waterman's rifle sent him, a
shrieking ghost, to the "hunting grounds across the river."
And just so, my young sinner, it will be with you, if you

GRAND RTVER VALLEY. 253
go peering round those places, whose sign is the death's head
and cross-bones — or, in written language, the word " Saloon."
The third settler was Harlow Jackson, whose entrance
dates February, '52. Jacob Smith followed him the next
November. The first school was taught by Miss Susan Field, now Mrs.
Myron Buck, at Cedar Springs. The next winter the school
was kept by Miss Nettie Wetmore, of Grand Rapids; now
Mrs. Rood.
The first sermon preached in the town, was by the Rev.
Francis Prescott; it was in the school-house, in 1854. After
that a missionary preacher, a Methodist, held meetings there
once in two weeks. During the first years, Elders Bennett,
Congdon and Smith, held meetings. A Sabbath school was
started at an early day, of which Wm. N. Wylie was Super
intendent. There are as yet no houses of worship in the town.
Three religious societies are in existence — Free Will Baptist,
United Brethren, and Methodist. The Methodist society was
the first organized ; the Free Will, second.
There is a very noticeable curiosity on the farm of H. C.
Wylie, on section thirty-three. It is a very extensive beaver-
dam. The plow has done damage to it, but still a part of it
is in the woods untouched. The whole length of the dam is
some sixty rods. At first sight, it seems to have been built
on no correct engineering principles. But a little observation
will show the principles that guided the chief engineer,
" Castor Fiber." The construction is not of so remote a
period that the name of the engineer has been lost. He had
no theodolite or level, and his skill was the result of his native
genius. As Newton deduced the law of gravitation from the
fall of an apple, so Castor Fiber based his whole system upon
the equilibrium of water, and established the grand principle —
that water will run over in the lowest place. With this one
guiding thought in his head, he commenced the dam before us.
He said within himself: " If we would create a reservoir of
water, we must stop the flow where it runs over. So he com
menced by obstructing the stream. This done, he watched
the rising of the water and where he saw it running over he

254 MEMORIALS OF THE
stopped it; and so continued until the requisite height, and
capacity of reservoir were obtained. As a consequence, the dam
is as irregular as the ground. Tliere are no lines or angles;
but all conforms the one principle — " stop the water where it
runs over."
The average height of this dam may be two feet; at the out
let of the stream, perhaps five feet. The flow of the pond
was about twelve acres. It is built entirely of earth. Prob
ably across the stream there was something else, but that part
has disappeared.
We are not to pre-suppose reason as guiding animals in
their constructions. A scientific man of Grand Rapids, rang
ing the northern wilds of Michigan, discovered a large beaver-
dam of recent construction, and then occupied. Where the
stream had run over and formed little rills below, the young
beavers had built little dams. It seems to be as much an
impulse in the beaver to obstruct water, as it is for the wood
chuck to dig a hole. We call this impulse, " instinct " — that
is, a disposition to do what they have never been taught. A
study of the dam in Tyrone will show that the sole principle
of its construction is given above, and is found in the instinct
of the animal to obstruct running water.
It may- be here observed, that we can scarce find a brook
without its beaver dams. These are a shapeless ridge of earth,
running either way from the brook to the bank; generally but
a rod or two in length. The dam in Tyrone is one of the big
ones; but probably, in tracing any brook, as many dams may
be found as miles. They are not conspicuous; but when once
attention has been directed to them, one will be surprised at
the frequency of their occurrence.
The beaver is noble game. A poor man may walk the
streets or traverse the forest, without fear of robbers; but the
rich are in constant danger. The poor woodchuck may live
and multiply almost undisturbed by man. But the beaver,
with equal fecundity, is exterminated because of his rich gar
ment of fur. We don't hunt the woodchuck; we merely kill
him, when we happen to have a chance. But the beaver is
hunted until he disa2mears. There is not now a beaver in a

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 255
settled county in the State. Man immediately exterminates
them; not from dislike, but for immediate gain. Blessed be
poverty! It is well for the woodchucks that they adopted a
simple style of dress long years ago; and that, Quaker-like,
they still adhere to the costume worn by their ancestors.
Extravagance in dress is the beaver's ruin. Some of the human
race may well heed the lesson which their fate teaches.
VERGENNES.
Yergennes was one of the towns earliest organized. By act of
Legislature in 1838, four townships— 5, 6, 7, 8, N., R. 9 W.—
Bowne, Lowell, Yergennes and Grattan, were set off from
Kent, and made a town. The first settlement was in what is
now Lowell, arid the south part of the present town of Yer
gennes. Its early history is mainly that of Lowell. In 1840,
Caledonia was organized; and T. 5 N., R. 9 W. (Bowne) was
detached from Yergennes, and temporarily united with Cal
edonia. In 1846, Grattan, T. 8 N., 9 W. was made a town
and detached from Yergennes ; and in 1848, Lowell (T. 6 N., R.
9. W.) was organized; leaving Yergennes (T. 7 N., R. 9 W.)
with the modest limits of a single township.
In speaking of Yergennes, in early times, it must be borne
in mind that its center was Lowell; that its settlers were
mainly there, or in that part of Yergennes which is contiguous.
A few pushed up Flat River. The two towns, Yergennes and
Lowell, lived lovingly together as one for ten years, not fol
lowing the example of many sister towns, of setting up inde
pendent, as soon as they had a dozen voters. There was good
reason why the two townships should keep together.
They were, in substance, one settlement, which the town
ship line about equally divided. This settlement, near the
month of the Flat River, was the place; the scattered settlers
around seemed to be its dependencies. They had lived
together as a community; they did not choose to divide; and
they did not until both towns were well supplied with inhab
itants. Who gave the town the name the writer does not know. It
was probably so called from some dear personal association, or

256 MEMORIALS OF THE
more likely, from the poetic interest that attaches to the word.
Though an imitation, it is a good one; one of those that can
be tolerated.
The town was organized in 1838 (but it must be borne, in
mind that it was Lowell as much as Yergennes), the 2nd day
of April, at Lewis Robinson's house. The number of voters is
not known. The memory of the old residents gives the num
ber of families in town as about twenty.
The first town officers were: Supervisor, Rodney Robin
son; Clerk, M. Patrick; Justices, Rodney Robinson, Charles
A. Lathrop; George Brown; Lucas Robinson.
The others, who are named as holding the other town offices
are: Thompson I. Daniels, John M. Fox, Porter Rolph, Everett
Wilsoft, Charles Newton, Henry Danes, P. W. Fox, A. D.
Smith, O. H. Jones, and James S. Fox.
In 1846, after Grattan was set off, Yergennes (the two towns,
Yergennes and Lowell) mustered at the town meeting 133
voters. The meeting was held at the house of John M.
Waters. In 1848, after the organization of Lowell, the meeting was
at the house of Eliab Walker; and again the number of voters
was 133. This indicates a rapid filling up during the last of
those years.
The occupation of Yergennes dates from 1836. It is not
known who was first on the ground; but following the mem
ory of one of the settlers of that year, we have the names of
Ira Yan Deusen, Jesse Yan Deusen, Alfred Yan Deusen,
Chauncey Yan Deusen, Everett Wilson, Hamilton Andrews,
Rodney Robinson, Thompson I. Daniels, John Thompson,
Charles Francisco, Sylvester Hodges, Amos Hodges, Matthew
Patrick, Ebenezer Smith, Ira Danes, Charles Newton, Lucas
Robinson, James Thompson.
It is not absolutely certain that all of these settled that year.
In the north part of the town the first to occupy were four
brothers by the name of Ford — Barnard, David, Ira and
Abel. They took up land on the line between Yergennes and
Grattan — David and Ira in Grattan. They were Canadians;
had little but their teams; took up small pieces of land;

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 257
forty or eighty acres. Elder Godfroy, with a grown up family,
came the same year (1838); also Franklin Kenney, Smith
Godfroy, Micali Mudge, Eliab Walker. To the same year, or
the year before, we are able to set the names of Benjamin
Fairchild, James Montague, Benjamin Toles, Jared Nagles,
Abel French and Noah Peck, as settlers in the north part of
the town.
To these, we may add, in other parts, Silas S. Fallass, 1838 ;
P. Wesley Fallass, 1837; Wm. P. Perrin, 1837; Alexander
Rogers, 1837; Alanson K. Shaw, 1839; Emery Foster, 1837;
Christopher Misner, 1838; Morgan Lyon, 1838; John Bran-
nagan, 1837.
Of these Barnabus Ford died in 1843, aged forty-seven;
Alvah H. Andrews in 1872, aged sixty -three; Charles Fran
cisco in 1874, aged sixty-seven; Elder Newcomb Godfroy in
1859, aged seventy-five; Rodney Robinson in 1875; Franklin
Kenney, 1873; Benjamin Toles was killed by a tree in 1847.
CHURCHES.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
The first class was formed by Elder George in 1841. Its members were:
Charles Collar and wife, Anthony Zerkes and wife, Smith Bailey and wife,
Burtis Hoag and wife, Howland Soules.
The church was dedicated March, 1866. Present membership about
thirty. CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
First banded in 1843, by Elder Godfroy; had then about fifteen or twenty
members. They have a good house of worship, which cost about $2,000,
and was finished in 1868. Messrs. Godfroy and Moshier have been the
pastors. Present number about forty.
WYOMING.
; When Kent county was a town of Kalamazoo county-, set
tlements were made at Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Ionia, and
Lyons. Campau had his trading station at Grand Rapids, and
Rix Robinson at Ada and other places, and the few persons
in the Yalley were dependent on them. Living, as they did,
dependent on the Indians, with no rights, further than a
license to trade, and such as the Indians would give them, they
are not to be considered as at that time occupants and settlers.
17

258 • MEMORIALS OF THE
A few, dependent on Campau and Robinson, were at Grand
Rapids, but in point of fact, the first settlement was in Wy
oming; and the earliest history of the Yalley is the history of
this town. The first locations were made here. The farms
were begun here; and here the plow first broke the soil;
and here the first crops were raised. The advent, of the
first white man into Ionia county was in the spring of 1833.
But Wyoming dates from 1832, when her soil was taken
possession of by Robert Howlett, Luther Lincoln, Amos
Gordon and Stephen Tucker. They are, therefore, the Grand
River Pioneers. They came in the fall of 1832, and raised
crops of their own planting in 1833. Lincoln took up what
was the paper city, but now the thriving village of Grandville;
and there, in the spring of 1833, was the first in the Grand
River Yalley to turn the soil with the plow, and he raised the
first crop of corn where the village of Grandville now stands.
This pioneer Lincoln was an erratic genius; Ave wish Ave could
give a better history of him. He did not stay where he was
the pioneer.
Still, 1833, the same year that settled the first colonists at
Ionia, is looked upon as the year when the Yalley was taken
possession of by civilized men. This year brought Jno. F.
Chubb, Stephen Tucker, Gideon H. Gordon, James Gordon,
Wm. R. Godwin, Joseph B. Copeland, Myron Roys, Henry-
West, and George Thompson, to Wyoming.
The first house of any description, built by the whites, was
a log shanty for Lincoln, in the fall of 1832. The first house
fit for a family to live in, Avas the log house of Stephen Tuck
er, built mostly by the Indians in March 1833. Lincoln had
brought on with him five yoke of oxen, and he stayed over
winter in his humble cabin, to take care of them. Tucker
built his house to live in with his family.
Mr. Tucker was the first mail-carrier, going once a week to
Gull Prairie; Slater, the missionary, the postmaster. Tucker
commenced carrying the mail and doing errands for pay, Jan
uary, 1833.
As in the rest of the Grand River Yalley, 1834 brought
accessions to the settlement: Roswell Britton, Nathaniel

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 259
Brown, Eli and Erastus Yeomans ; Ransom Sawyer, Richard
Moore, Justus C. Rogers, E. T. Walker, Josiah McArthy,
Geo. Thompson, Julius 0. Abel, Hiram and Luman Jennison ;
Alvah Wansey.
Let us stop here, and briefly follow these pioneers.
Lincoln soon left, and appears again as a pioneer in the
northeast part of the county, where he lived as an eccentric
man, and died.
Mr. Howlett is one of the solid men of Grand Haven ; looks
as though the world had used him well; as though he was at
peace with his stomach; and we are in hopes it will be long
before "hicjacet" shall be on the marble over him.
Stephen Tucker soon left.
Gideon H. Gordon was but a transient resident.
Joseph B. Copeland is still a resident of Grandville; and
there long may he flourish.
The Jennisons are still resident, not exactly in Wyoming,
but over the line where they are the life and soul of a smart
little village, that bears their name.
Wm. R. Godwin was long a leading resident of Wyoming,
and after it was set off, the leading man of Byron until his
death. Jonathan F. Chubb, after having developed one of the best
farms in the region, sold out and removed to Grand Rapids,
where he was an efficient business man, and one of the city
fathers. He is dead.
Myron Roys, who came on a single man, and long lived an
old bachelor, is such no longer, as his grand-children testify;
is, in a green old age, still resident in Wyoming; and loves to
tell his grand-children of his bach, experience in making bis
cuits with sweet-milk and saleratus.
Eli and Erastus Yeomans are still resident in the town.
Nathaniel Brown was an active business man ; but stayed only
a few years.
Geo. Thompson, brother-in-law of Howlett, lived and died a
single man at Grand Haven.
Roswell Britton was a man of superior merit; represented
Ottawa county in the first State Legislature, 1837. He died
June, 1850, aged 63.

260 MEMORIALS OF THE
Ransom Sawyer, a good citizen, died about 1865.
Richard Moore, a wealthy man, died about 1870.
I. C. Rogers is still resident.
In 1835, were added, Charles H. Oaks, Thomas H. Buxton,
Joseph A. Brooks, Manly Patchin, Dwight Rankin, Abraham
Bryant. Charles H. Oakes was a man who figured a good deal. He
was an Indian Trader; the first merchant at Grandville, where
he built the second house — the one in which Mr. Moody now
resides. He was one of the Grandville Company, who pro
jected and platted the city. After a time he left; and has
since flourished at St. Paul.
In 1836, Hiram Osgood, Orrey Hill, Charles Wheeler, James
Lockwood, Jacob and Charles J. Rogers, Leonard Stoneburner,
and  Fetterman, located in the township.
In 1837-8, came Col. HathaAvay, Lewis Moody, Chase
Edgerly, James P. Scott, Savoy R. Beals, James McCray,
Cyrus Jones, Cyrus Marsh, Horace Wilder, George Ketchum.
McCray first located at Grandville, where, in company with
Ketchum, he started the first foundry. It was begun in 1838 ;
but owing to sickness, did not go into operation until 1839. Mr.
Wilder was foreman in the furnace, and melted the first iron in
the Yalley. The furnace was soon removed to Grand Rapids,
Avhere McCray was the managing head until his death.
Developed, what was the small establishment of Ball and
McCray is the large concern of Butterworth and Lowe.
James P. Scott was by nature a man of versatile talent; by
culture a scholar of varied attainments, yet lacking the talent
of i solid business man, and conscious of that lack, he generally
was in other people4s employ. In his younger days, he was in
the service of the American Fur Company, operating between
Lake Superior and Hudson's Bay. He was at one time
elected County Clerk and Register of deeds in Ottawa county,
which offices he satisfactorily filled. During the war he went
with one of the regiments as Quartermaster. While acting in
that capacity he shot himself, but whether by design or acci
dent, is not known. James P. Scott was widely known, and was
often looked to in an emergency He was sagacious and

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 261
trusty, and his opinion was valued. Many a worse man has
been canonized ; many a weaker one more successful, and many7
a better one less missed, when gone.
As an instance, showing his natural resources: While in
the employ of the Fur Company, in the depth of winter, it
became manifest that one of the men must have his leg cut
off, or he would die. Entirely beyond the reach of surgical
aid, the question was — " What is to be done?" It was de
cided fthat they must perform the necessary operation, and try,
at least, to save the man's life. They pitched upon young
SGott, relying on his sagacity more than on that of any other.
It was a new thought to him; he had heard of amputations,
but of the modus operandi he had never had any information.
He took a day to reflect on how it should be done, and the re
sult was, an operation skillfully and scientifically done, and a
life saved. The only knowledge he had to guide him was, he
knew the distinction between veins and arteries. This led him
to the tourniquet; the hook for seizing the retracted arteries,
and the means of discovering them. With a butcher-knife, a
handsaw and a bent needle, he did his work.
Hiram Osgood was a lawyer. Finding little call for law, he
kept a tavern — the first in Grandville. He was prosecuting
attorney. Osgood died in 1841, and his family are all dead.
Mr. Ballard was the first preacher, conducting service in the
dining-room of the tavern in the fall of 1837. In the summer
of 1838, he organized the Congregational church — the pioneer
church of the denomination in the Yalley.
Let us go back a little, until the time when Britton and
Brown came in — September, 1834.
There was no house at Grandville but Indian huts; the one
log house that had been built, had been burned. Some eight
or ten families of Indians centered there, and had a large field
of corn. These Indians were under a venerable old chief — As-
to-quet — a first-rate, honest Indian. He died of small-pox in
the spring of 1840.
A journey from Ann Arbor took ten day7s. The musketoes
were numerous and blood-thirsty; and the ague — the pioneer's

262 MEMORIALS OF THE
curse — was a terror. There was a saw-mill, but no grist-mill.
Gideon H. Gordon was building a mill above where the plas
ter mill noAV is.
The first grist mill — a run of small stones — was put in
Ketchum's saw-mill, in the fall of 1836, and Eli Cossit was the
miller. Ketchum put up a flouring mill in 1840. His oper
ations belong rather to Georgetown than to Wyoming.
In 1837, July 4th, the Gov. Mason made its first trip, stop
ping at Grandville. It was a great day for the people — the
4th of July, and a steamboat! They celebrated the day and
the event. For a cannon, they had an old steam-pipe, and
they " busted it gloriously." An oration was given by Dr.
Scranton, from the wheel-house of the boat. Just as the Doc
tor had got the " American Eagle " fairly grappled with the
British Lion, the captain gave the signal, and the boat started
down the river. But must the oration be thus cut short in the
midst of its loftiest periods? Tradition is silent. However
badly the Doctor might feel, when obliged to close, or spend
his eloquence on empty air, the people were jubilant.
When all was ended, such as could walk, full of patriotism,
Avent shouting home. The few who could not, sought repose
under umbrageous trees.
The winter of 1836-7 was hard on the people here, as well
as in the rest of the Yalley. They had little to eat, and all
had to be packed in from the southern part of the State. Flour
was sold for 10 cents a pound, pork for l'8£, and beans were $6
a bushel. Mr. Wilder asserts that in the spring of '37 he saw a chip
muck gnaAving a gravel stone (Mr. W., was it not an acorn?),
with a lugubrious countenance, and with tears in its eyes. He
killed the forlorn chipmuck, and had him for his supper. He
(Wilder) also asserts that he, McCray and his two boys worked
a Avhole day to unearth a woodchuck. They got him, and bore
him home in triumph.
The people ate flour that had been sunk in the river — glad
to get that. They lived mostly on sturgeon. How they hailed
a supply of flour that came down the river on a flat-boat.
Still, they complain of no suffering, and were happy, which
shows how little happiness depends on fortune.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. '263
The first wedding in Wyoming, and probably in the Grand
River Yalley, was that of Sylvester Hills and Harriet Burton,
in the winter of 1835-6.
Mr. Wilder says that soon after he came he attended a
wedding at Esq. Abel's, where he sold his coat to the groom,
and borrowed one for himself to wear as groomsman.
A pole boat— the "Cinderella" — was launched at Grand
ville, in June, 1837. It was a time of jubilee. All were in
vited, and they went on board — old men and maidens, matrons
and boys; had feasting and dancing, and abundant mirth.
What would we think now of " launching a pole-boat?" Then
such an event was a foretokening of brighter days, when they
would live like other people.
The town Avas organized as Byron, May 2d, 1836. The
meeting was at the house of Charles H. Oakes.
First officers: Gideon H. Gordon, Supervisor; Isaac A..
Allen, Clerk; G. H. Gordon, Robert Howlett, E. P. Walker,
Justices. It was organized as " Wyoming " (Byron set-off) in 1848,
at the house of Dwight Rankin.
Wm. H. Godwin, Supervisor; Joseph Blake, Clerk; Chase
Edgerly, Treasurer; E. Yeomans, Roswell Britton, Justices.
The " city " of Grandville was laid out by the Grandville
Company, mostly composed of Eastern men, in 1835. The
original plat was eighty acres. The East and West Additions
Avere platted in 1836. Lots, to builders, were sold for $25; to
others for $100. But few were sold. It soon became mani
fest that Grandville was not the place for the city; and " lots "
became a nuisance — sold for six cent taxes; and there was
general languishment. It settled itself down to be a quiet
country village, without expectations. The village has lately
received quite an impulse. Extensive plaster works have
been set in operation, and some manufacturing, for which its
facilities are good. These have given a new impulse; and the
place is rapidly improving-. They know what is the basis on
which they must rest — gypsum and manufactures. As these
interests are developed, the place will groAv; and it already
shows the beginning of its future.

264 ' MEMORIALS OF THE
Grandville, and the rural district around it, organized them
selves into a school district, and erected a building for a Union
School in 1867. This school-house has been much admired
for its beautiful architectural proportions, and as doing honor
to the public spirit of the people. At the time it was built, it
was the finest school-house in the county. This school is the
crowning honor of the place, and the house is the most con
spicuous object there. The school has been well sustained,
notwithstanding a protracted law-suit that grew out of its
organization. That, happily, is ended, and the people are
happy in having first-rate facilities for the education of the
young. Grandville has two churches — the Congregational and the
Methodist. The Congregational, as before intimated, is the pioneer
church in the Grand River region. It was organized by Mr.
Ballard, in 1838. In 1855, they erected for themselves a
snug- place of worship, and the church is in a prosperous con
dition. The Methodists have maintained an organization for many-
years, generally holding their meetings in the school-house.
In 1873, they completed their church, which had been begun
some years before.
The town of Wyoming has long been noted for its immense
beds of gypsum, and the business in that line, which has been
carried on. there. That interest will be more fully noticed in
an article by itself.
We will take our leave of Wyoming by telling a "little
story" of Jemmy O'Neil, the mail- carrier. With the mail
on his back, or in his hat, he was cheerily trudging through
the woods, whistling as he went, when an owl before him
sung out: "Whoo-o-o, Who-o-o." Jemmy answered: "lam
Jemmy O'Neil, and I carry the mail."
KENT COUNTY HISTORY.
The legislative abstract that accompanies will give, in sub
stance, the history of the county. The records of the county-
were destroyed by a fire, in 1860, which renders it next to im-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 265
possible to give a full county history. By that fire, the books
of the County Clerk and those belonging to the office of Regis
ter of Deeds were mostly destroyed. The building, which at
the time of the fire was occupied by the county offices, was at
the junction of Lyon and Canal streets, on the south side.
The Register of Deeds, Mr. Scran ton, had for his own con
venience made an abstract of all the titles in the county. That
book was saA7ed, and a few volumes of titles.
The act of 1861 was to give people, whose records were
burned and who had not their original deeds, a chance to es
tablish their ownership. A special court for that purpose was
created. Little was done under that act. There was a general
re-recording of titles. The county afterwards purchased those
abstracts of Mr. Scranton, and the Act of '65 was passed, mak
ing them prima facie evidence — equivalent to recorded deeds.
It is not known that the title of any one was vitiated by the
burning of the records.
It will be perceived that, in 1837, the county was authorized
to borrow money to build a court-house. The county, under the
authorization, built a court-house, on what is known as the
" Park," or " Court-House Square." It was of wood, and was
considered a beautiful building. It stood but a few years, and
was burned. A plain building for temporary purposes was
erected afterwards, which was used as a court-house and high
school. In 1848, this was abandoned, moved off, and used as
a blacksmith shop; and the county has ever since hired rooms
in private buildings for the use of the court. Soon after the
fire, or in 1861, the fire-proof building was erected for the
county offices. An addition was built to it in 1874.
The jail was a temporary affair until 1870, when the present
building — the "Sinners' Palace" — was erected on what was
the " Island." Before that, prisoners were not treated with
the respect due to crime and misdemeanor. At first, a cellar
on Canal street was their ignoble abode. Afterwards, a wood
en building on the West side, without even the pretense of
architectural display, was all the county afforded for the accom
modation and entertainment of those who, perforce, were its
guests.

266 MEMORIALS OF THE
Finally, that class has been fairly, yes, chivalrously dealt
with; and one can go to jail and feel his dignity7 as a gentleman
not imposed upon. He is assigned his room in a palace, and
can enjoy his " otiurn cum dignitate," living like a nabob at
the county's expense.
The business in Kent county, and all east, was necessarily
done on the Grand River, above Grand Rapids, by pole boats,
and below by steamers. For several years a small class of
steamboats plied on the river, from the head of the rapids to
Lyons. But all freight must necessarily be carted at the
rapids about two miles. Although the people at the Rapids
Avere willing that everything should pay tribute tliere, those
living above did not fancy the idea. The project was con
ceived of a canal and locks around the rapids. The State
met the petition with favor, and made a liberal appropriation.
The contract to make the necessary dam, dig the canal, and
build the locks, was taken by an energetic and honorable man
— James Davis. He was allowed at first to select his lands,
which he did, where he knew the Hollanders would purchase.
He went on with the work, built the dam, and dug the canal
to the point where the locks were to be; in the main, borrow
ing the means to do the work.
Here comes in a transaction, or series of them, which
probably adds nothing to the fair fame of the State of
Michigan. After Mr. Davis had selected his lands, and had
gone to work, an act was passed, or decision made, that Mr.
D. could not himself sell those lands, but that they must be
sold as State lands, and the proceeds paid to him. They were
sold to the Hollanders and paid for in gold. When the time
came for Mr. D. to receive pay for what he had done, he went
for his gold, which he knew had been paid into the treasury,
and they would not give him anything but State laud war
rants, on which he could locate new lands. Mr. Davis was
financially ruined, and the work was stopped. The whole had
resulted in a great improvement of the water-power at Grand
Rapids, at Mr. Davis' and the State's expense.
The prospect of a railroad, which would supersede the up-
river navigation, and the ultimate making of the road, caused

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 267
the project of locking past the rapids to be given up, and the
remainder of the appropriation was applied to improving the
river in the interest of the lumbermen, which was the object
of the act of 1855. It will be observed when the water is
low that there is over the rapids a channel deeper than the
rest. That was made in the rock by W. D. Foster and others,
and paid for by the State appropriation.
COUNTY OFFICERS. X
Sheriff — Solomon Withey, 1836, Eaton; Leonard Snyder,
Norton; D. S. Weller; Sluman S. Bailey, 1860; William
Thornton, 1864; Sluman S. Bailey, 1866; Jesse Wykoff, 1868;
Isaac Haynes, 1872.
Judge of Probate — Jefferson Morrison, 1836; Amett Da
vis, 1845; S. L. Withey; Robert Sinclair, 1856; William A.
Robinson, 1860; Benjamin A. Harlan, 1864; Cyrus Perkins,
1876. County Clerk — Peter R. L. Pierce; Daniel McNaughton,
1868; Hobart H. Chipman, 1872.
Register of Deeds — Luther Beebe, John M. Fox, John R.
Stewart, William G. Beckwith, 1866; Simeon Hunt, 1872.
Treasurer — Hiram Hinsdill, 1836; Aaron Dikeman, Solo
mon Kingsbury, Nelson Robinson, Thompson I. Daniels;
George Young, 1866 ; Henry Bremer, 1872.
Prosecuting Attorney — Thomas B. Church; Thaddeus
Foote; E. G.D. Holden, 1862; Byron D. Bally 1866; Andrew
Rieves, 1868; Edwin A. Burlingham, 1872.
Circuit Court Commissioners — Eben Smith, 1860 and '62;
Henry Thompson, 1864; John D. Edmonds, 1864; John
D. Edmonds, 1864; Eben Smith, 1866-68; George N. White,
1866; O. H. Simonds, 1868 and '70; James B. Wilson, 1870
and '72 and '74; Laurens W. Wolcott, 1872.
Surveyor— John F. Tinkham, 1860; Ed. L. Briggs, 1862;
Riley Smith, 1866; Robert S. Jackson, 1870; Door Skeels,
1874. County Judge — Dewitt C. Lawrence,  Martin, Leonard
Bement. Representatives — James W. Ransom, Samuel W. Garfield,
Ed. L. Briggs, E. C. Watkins, 1874.

268 MEMORIALS OF THE
School Superintendents — Chester C. Bricknell, 1867; Henry
B. Fallass, 1862; Geo. A. Ranney, 1873. Held until the aboli
tion of the office in 1874-5.
Represented in Congress by — Francis W. Kellog, 1860;
Thomas W. Ferry, 1864; Wilder D. Foster, 1871; William
B. Williams, 1S73.
Ferry was promoted to the Senate, and Foster was elected to
serve his unexpired term.
Foster was re-elected, but died, and Williams was elected in
his place.
Drain Commissioners — John F. Tinkham, 1869; Roberts.
Jackson, 1871.
Constitutional Convention — Thomas B. Church, Thomas
W. Ferry. Representing Kent and Ottawa — Jacob Ferris, S.
L. Withey, Lyman Murray, Milton C. Watkins, 1867.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 269

THE INDIAN.
INDIAN CHAEACTEE.
It is customary to think of the Indians as a race naturally
inferior, and to suppose that in character they assimilate to the
wild beast. Those who have been in intimate association with
the Indians of Michigan, almost uniformly speak of them with
respect, as intellectual, honorable, kind and manly. They have
not been improved, but degraded, by their intercourse with
the whites.
By nature and habit the proudest people on earth, they have
been humiliated. When you have humbled a people, or a
person, you are not to look for manliness. Humility is a good
element in a slave, but not in a man.
The Indians have felt the superiority of the arts and civil
ization of the whites, and thus have learned to look on them
selves as inferior. We have showed them by our bearing that
Ave looked on them as Indians, and not as men, and have thus
aided to humble them. Humbled, they have not emulated the
dignity and culture of the civilized; but have fallen in with
the lowest habits of the whites. Those who really wished to
do them good have helped to lower their pride, and have in
voluntarily contributed to their degradation. The mission
aries, who, with devoted zeal, labored among them, learned them
to despise themselves — as Indians; and their well-intended
efforts resulted in lowering Indian character. The Indian is
educated, and thoroughly, too, for life in the wilds. It is use
less to attempt to show them that all this education is not
manly; to seek to have them abandon that as their dependence.
The tilling of the earth, the arts and civilized culture should
be superadded, not made to supersede the arts and wisdom of
the Indian. Hunting is the Indian's trade. Some of the
missionaries have discouraged that, and they became idle and

270 MEMORIALS OF THE
loaferish. It takes the Indian a long time to acquire the habit
of constant labor that civilization requires. You may make
him work a day, or a week, but he has no relish for steady-
work. It is best to encourage him to hunt. It is easy to con
vert the Indian to nominal Christianity; they have no strongly
rooted religion to break up, and readily give in their acquies
cence to the religion taught them. The missionaries have been
flattered with their success, when they have adopted their
faith and worship, seemingly thinking that was all that was
desirable. Generally, the result was not good. The Catho
lics have been more successful in missionary efforts than the
Protestants. They have allowed their converts to be Indians;
and have, without breaking up Indian habits, engrafted on the
habits of the white man. By so doing, they have improved
the people of their missions. Protestants have too much
spent their strength in making com-erts, and have failed to
improve. It is well known that the French are the only people who
had the Indian confidence. The reason of it is very simple;
the French recognized their manhood; assimilated themselves
to Indian habits; took wives from among them; and entered
into their feelings and sympathies. The Indians have ever
had confidence in the French and have been jealous of others.
Why? We Yankees have let them know that we felt above
them ; despised their habits and arts. The consequence has
been natural. They have done just as you or I would have
'done— refused to be instructed by those who have no sympa
thy. The Indian, when you come to his cabin and turn up
your nose at what you see, feels much as I do when some
purse-proud fool scans my humble dwelling. The Catholic
missionaries have given the Indians their sympathy-; not
their pity and contempt; and through this have been in
fluential; and through Christianity, they haA7e made civ
ilizing influences efficient. They relied on conversion as a
means and not an end. At the Catholie missions, the Indians
hunt in the hunting season; and they also cultivate the earth,
and work at mechanic trades. They are Indians with civilized
habits as an addition, not a substitute. Their children may
fully take their place beside the white man.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 271
Indian character and habits have been much misunderstood
and misrepresented. 'Tis true they are vindictive, and will
have their revenge. So are we; and we just as perseveringly
seek our revenge. We seek it in the laAV, by bringing down
the vengeance of the State upon the one who has injured us;
they are a law to themselves, and seek their oAVn redress. As
enemies, they are fiends. When they have dug up the hatchet,
it is an act of religion to carry terror in any shape to their foe.
But as friends they are true and honorable. You enter a
strange Indian's cabin and lie down to rest; you are safe; and
your property is safe if you trust it to his hand. Never doubt
him, and he will not fail you. Pilfering was not of their
vices. The early traders testify that goods left exposed were
safe; that the Indian was honorable in paying his debts; that
tliere was no skulking or chicanery among them.
The way of collecting debts of them was a little peculiar,
and we should not like it. The creditor, if he saw any furs or
peltry, took them, and ga\7e credit for their value. He did not
say " By your leave, sir," bnt attached and carried off. By
Indian custom it was all right.
The Indians were industrious in their way. The men and
women divided the labor among them, and each knew their own
work and did it. The division line was not exactly where we
place it, but the principle was the same. There was men's
AA-ork and women's work. Hunting, fishing and raising corn,
were their means of living. The Indians did not hunt as
sportsmen, or fish with the spirit of Walton. When the game
Avas brought home, it was the squaws' business to dress and
cook it. They also did the drudgery about the camp; and
despised the man who would help about such work. They
also raised the corn. The man was the hunter and the war
rior; and his standing among them depended on his character
as such. The chase was his labor; and success in it was his
pride. That the squaw was the slave, is just as true as that
the white woman is the slave of her husband. True, she had
her hard work, and so had he. She acknowledged her husband
as her head; and was proud of her devotion to him, just as
some white women do and feel. And it may be further said,
they were loyal to their husbands.

272 MEMORIALS OF THE
The Indian is as much a domestic man as any in the world ;
and he as fondly cherishes his wife and children. Indian
stoicism and Indian pride have caused their family relations
to be misunderstood. The truth is, their customs rigidly di
vides the duties of the sexes ; and either party resents an inter
ference. On their journeys, the squaws are seen carrying loads;
the men not. Should a man take the load, all the squaws would
hoot and despise him. It might also have been observed that
if they had but one pony, the squaw rode, and the man went
on foot; which certainly looks as though there was some ga1-
lantry. The character of the Indian has not been improved by his
intercourse with the whites. Whisky seems to be perfectly
natural to him, and the trouble is, he never knows when he
has got enough. To get it, he will sacrifice any-thing, go to
any distance, or submit to any humiliation. As a consequence
of this succumbing to the vices of the whites, they have in a
great degree lost the manly simplicity of their character,
and are dying off. The wiser ones among them are reading
their doom — they must adopt the higher civilization or die.
Some are doing that, while too many are sinking into that
nothingness which is the prelude to extinction.
The Indian, as such, cannot much longer exist, He must
be civilized or die. The earth was made to cultivate, and not
for a hunting range. The Indians must cultivate the earth, or
cease to exist. It is indeed hard, but moralize upon it as we
may, the world will never acknowledge those who rove over a
country as its owners, nor will it allow weak nomads to
occupy lands capable of sustaining a dense population.
While we assume possession of the lands the Indian called
his own, and doom him to live within narrow bounds or die,
let us do justice to the Indian of the past, and give a chance
to the Indian of the future. Our State kindly deals wi th them,
and opens to them every avenue to wealth or honor. But it
is not to him as a savage, but as a civilized man. The savages
are disappearing; have disappeared. What is left of the once
proud tribes is dividing itself between civilization and death.
We fear that death will get more than its share. But we can-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 273
not alloAV 5,000 acres to a man. The world must be held by
those who will use it.
INDIANS OF SOUTHEEN MICHIGAN.
The information in the following article was obtained mostly
from a gentleman who spent his early years among the In
dians — was educated with them in the mission school, and who
afterwards Avas a trader among them. He chooses that his
name shall not be given.
The southern part of this State, and the northern part of
Indiana and Illinois were occupied by the Pottawatomies, a
more warlike tribe than the Ottawas and Chippewas, who lived
north of them. They- roamed over that part of the State south
of the Central Railroad. Though there was no definite line
between them and the Ottawas, yet by general consent each
observed a line, beyond which the claim of the other was ac
knowledged. Near the mouth of the St. Joseph River was a
band of four or five hundred, whose chief was Opekagun — a
smart intelligent man — tall, straight and good looking, as
indeed an Indian chief is likely to be; physical manliness
being what leads to that position. There was another band of
about 100, six miles below Niles, whose chief, Cogga-moccasin
(Porcupine Shoe), was in the battle of Tippecanoe with Tecum
seh, where he Avas wounded and left for dead. He lay for
three days after the battle in a marsh. The old fellow lived,
however, and afterwards, when drunk, would show his scars,
and tell of the battle, but would say nothing of them when
sober. The head chief of the whole was Chebas, whose resi
dence AAras at the head-waters of the Wabash. A chief of
high standing, called Wizzoo, lived at Niles. Their other
chiefs were Logaman and Pogagun.
Indian character is nearly the same at all places, where not
spoiled by the white man. The Pottawatomies at the time
(1825), were in full possession ; and the few whites who resided
amongst them, were entirely subordinate, and found it expe
dient to let the Indians have their own way. If an Indian
wanted anything, he would take it openly, and pay for it after
wards, if he could; if not, you had only to send in your bill at
18

274 MEMORIALS OF THE
the payment, and it would be duly honored by the chiefs.
They were in turn hospitable and accommodating. If you
wanted anything of theirs, it Avas yours. They would do any
thing to help a white family in need— hunt for them, and
bring them game, when they had nothing at home. Goods
might be left by the traders on the bank of the river for a
month, or exposed in an open field, with perfect safety.. They
never thought of stealing from one another, and no care was
taken to protect their property. They lived without law or
lawyers. Murder was avenged by the relatives of the slain, or
settled with the murderer. When the relatives were satisfied,
the clan would not interfere. An instance of this kind oc
curred under the cognizance of our informant, about four miles
from Niles. Old Black Wolf was killed there by an Indian ;
his squaw came up to the murderer, saying: " See here, my
brother, you don't want to kill me, do you? " He answered,
" No, I don't hurt a woman." She then invited him to go to
a trader, at some distance, and get Avhisky, and they would
settle the affair; he consented. Before starting, she told him
it would look as though he Avanted to hurt her, if he carried his
club, and enticed him to let her carry it. They proceeded
amicably, chatting as they went, she leading the way. At
length, having thrown him entirely off his guard, she sud
denly turned upon him, and killed him with his own club.
That ended the matter; all were satisfied.
The Sacs and Foxes were a terror to them. Those Indians
received a tribute from Great Britain, and went to Canada for
it; they went four hundred miles to get about $4 apiece.
They were very vexatious to the Pottawatomies when pass
ing through the country. Our government finally prohibited
their going for this tribute:
By treaty stipulations the Pottawatomies were forced to go
west of the Mississippi. They were sent off, but would come
back. Gen. Scott was baffled by them. The treaty and laws
were hard on the Indians. They could not stay and be citi
zens. Some had farms with improvements, but they must go.
They would not go, however; catch them and they would escape.
Gen. Scott, baffled in his endeavors, got an Indian trader

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 275
by the name of Coquilard to induce them to remain where
sent. He succeeded, in the main, and made a fortune by the
operation. Some did not go; but lived about in scattered
bands, scarce coalescing with the other Indians, and with no
bond of union among themselves.
A large Mission School was established at Niles, under the
superintendence of the Rev. Mr. McCoy. The Mission took
and supported all that offered; and at one time had 300 schol
ars. The Avriter has availed himself of every possible source
of information, to ascertain the effect of these Missions; and
all testimony is to this point — that their result was evil, and
nothing else. There was no place in the world for the educa
ted Indian. Civilization offered them no place; and, unskilled
in Indian arts, they were despised by the Indians; and without
the means of. living, they became outcasts. They were not
received as associates by the whites ; Indian habits were bro
ken up, and the simplicity of Indian character. They were
themselves too proud to return to Indian life; and company
and fellow of neither white man "ov Indian, what could they
do? What they did do Avas to sink into vice and degradation.
Lazy and dishonest, no confidence could be placed in them. It
is impossible for one to be a man unless sustained; and what
Avas there to sustain the educated Indian? Too proud to be an
Indian, and despised by them in turn, and uncountenanced by
the whites, what could they do ? Now the Indian has a chance
to be a man among men; then he had not. The school at
Niles was admirably conducted, and the teachers were zealous;
but missionary and teacher were ashamed of their pupils, soon
after they left the school. There was scarce an exception to
the general rule — no good came of it. They tried to make
civilized men and women of those who could have no place
among the civilized, and none among the savage. There is
such a thing as beginning a good work at the wrong end. Ag
riculture and the arts should precede literature and science;
and those should precede or accompany theology. Missionary
zeal generally begins with theology,and wofully fails ; not from
lack of good intentions, but from lack of wisdom.

276 MEMORIALS OF THE
INDIANS, AS FOUND BY THE EAELY TEA DEES.
From the earliest times there has been a class of men who
have made a business of trading with the Indians for furs and
peltries. They were generally locomotive, but would tempo
rarily occupy stations or trading posts. Yery early in the
history of America, Michigan was penetrated by the Canadian
French; and the two posts, Detroit and Mackinaw, were their
centers of operations. Of those Avho, in pursuit of fur, pene
trated to the Grand River Yalley, we know nothing ; and there
is no reason why we should care to know. They left behind
no monumental traces of their history7. They got what they
wanted, and departed with their gains.
The business of trading with the Indians was not open, and
could only be carried on under a license from the United
States. The position of the trader was a peculiar one; and he must
necessarily be the friend and benefactor of the Indians. The
Indians were the lords of the territory, and would allow no
white man to remain among them, unless he had their confi
dence. The United States also exercised a supervision over
intercourse with them ; and would permit no one to do busi
ness with them as a trader, without giving bonds to follow the
rules laid down by the Government, and taking an oath to
abide by those rules. The trader was also to have a license
from the Superintendent of Indian Affairs. This license was
liable to be revoked on complaint of the Indians, or of any
body else. The Government would protect no unlicensed
trader, either in his person or his property, and would protect
no licensed trader unless he complied with the rules laid down
for his guidance. Here is a copy ofthe " Instructions " received :
Instructions to Louis Campau, this day licensed to trade with the Indian
nation at 
1. Your trade will be confined to the place to which you are licensed.
2. Your transactions with the Indians will be confined to fair and friendly
trade. 3. You will attend no Councils held by the Indians, nor send them any
talk or speech, accompanied by wampum.
4. You are forbidden to take any spirituous liquors of any kind into the
Indian country; or to give, sell or dispose of any to the Indians.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 277
5. Should any person attempt to trade in the Indian country without a
license; or should any licensed traders carry any spirituous liquors into the
Indian country; or give, sell or dispose of any to tho Indians, the Indians
are authorized to seize and take to their own use the goods of such traders;
and the owner shall have no claim on the Indians or the United States for
the same.
6. Should you learn that there is any person in the Indian country, trad
ing without a license, you will immediately report the name of such person,
and the place where he is trading, to some Indian agent.
7. The substance of the 5th regulation you will communicate to the
Indians. 8. You will take all proper occasions to inculcate upon the Indians the
necessity of peace; and to state to them that it is the wish of their Great
Father, the President, to live in harmony with them; and that they must
shut their ears to any wild stories there may be in circulation.
Given under my hand, at the city of Detroit, this, 15th day of Novem
ber, 1822. William "Woodbridge, Secretary,
and at present vested with the powers of Superintendent of Indian Affairs
therein. With his license and his goods the trader repaired to the
place where he was authorized to do business. By the way,
his license was not general, but confined him to a specific lo
cation. Every subdivision of his business, and every sub-
trader must have a license.,^
On his arrival, a council of Indians would decide whether
he might remain and be their trader. If displeased with him,
they drove him aAvay. If they chose to have him remain,
they gave him substantial tokens of their good will ; and
would stand by him; at the same time they . expected that he
Avill stand by them.
Many of the traders, to increase the confidence of the In
dians, would take an Indian wife, and thus seal the proof of
their kindly sympathy. Indeed the Indians demanded this
proof. The alliances thus formed were generality for one
hundred moons, when, according to the Indian usage, the wife
might be let go.
As a general thing mutual confidence and respect existed
between the traders and the Indians.
The 4th of the above instructions was never strictly ob
served. By the connivance, of the authorities, three times in

278 MEMORIALS OF THE
the year, on occasion of the Indian festivals, liquor Avas fur
nished them for a general carouse. These bacchanalian eA7ents
Avere under the care of the traders themselves. At those times
the Indians Would haA7e the liquor, and would go for it hun
dreds of miles, rather than not have it. It was judged expe
dient to permit the traders to furnish it for them. The trader
provided them a house for their revel, and guarded them by
his employes; and every care was taken that they should not
hurt one another, or be injured when too drunk to take care
of themselves. The jollification over, the gate was shut down.
They had a way of avoiding the license at the trading sta
tions, by7 supplying a trusty Indian or squaw with goods to
be sold to their band. This was financially safe. Goods to
the amount of $1,000, were often thus entrusted to an Indian.
The goods were mostly sold on credit, to be paid for Avhen they
returned from their hunting expedition. These private credits
Avere often $100 or more. It would not do not to trust them ;
there must be confidence.
All accounts concur in stating that Indian honor is not
now what it once was. They have been cheated, and have
learned to be as big rascals as any of their white neighbors ;
and they are charily trusted.
There is a strong bond of sympathy between the old Indian
Traders; and they are very jealous of the honor of their pro
fession. The wild, half-civilized life they led, away from all
sympathy, excepting that of the savages and each other, ren
dered them a fraternity, strongly bound together. The nature
of their intercourse with the Indians Avas such as would show
them the best side of Indian character, and strongly attach
them to the race. The French traders, as a general thing are
warmly attached to the Indians; and have little of the Amer
ican prejudice. They wounded not the Indian's pride; but
met him as a fellow-man. It was woe to the Indian when the
American met him in indiscririiinate trade.
In 1825, Rix Robinson, and in 1827, Louis Campau located
themselves as Indian Traders. Robinson's principal station
Avas at Ada. Campau brought on about $5,000 worth of
goods; and commenced business on the west side of the riA-er

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 279
at the Mission Station, where Mr. Slater was endeavoring to
Christianize and educate the sons of the forest. This Mission
had its history.
There were, on the west side some 500 Indians, under the
chiefs Nonoquahezich (Noon Day), and his son-in-law
Mixicinny (called "Young Chief"). Four miles south, on
Avhat is known as the " Bemis Farm," Makcottiooski (Black
Skin) had a village, numbering some 300. There was another
village at Battle Point, whose chief was Onamontapay (Old
Rock). The other villages of the Yalley- were the clan of
Mocottiquahquosh (Old Hog), at German Flats, on the
Maple River, numbering 800 ; the second chief was Moccat-
tiocquit (Black Cloud) and the clan of Kewicooshcum (Long
"Nose), at the mouth of Flat River, where Cobmoosa was
second chief.
The chiefs of these clans controlled all the Indians in the
Yalley. In the war of 1812, they were all engaged on the
side of Great Britain. It was the boast of Black Skin that he
was the first to apply the torch to the village of Buffalo. He
died in 1868, in extreme old age. Noon Day moved off with
the " Slater Indians," to the vicinity of Gull Prairie, where
he died about 1840, supposed to be 100 years old. ' He was a
man very much esteemed by the Avhites; was generous and
noble. The Indians of that time Avere a proud, high-spirited race;
rich, and made great display of their wealth. Their chiefs,
almost without exception, were high-souled men.
These bands have mostly removed to the reservations in
Oceana county. The aforementioned chiefs are probably all
dead; most of them dying before going to the reservations.
In 1846, old Moccottiocquit made his last visit to Grand
Rapids. He was brought there at the time of 'the Indian
payment, in the last stages of marasmus — a poor, pitiable
object, without the least gleaming of intellect, and was
carried back to die. He was then a noble wreck, Avith majesty
in the skeleton look of his magnificent frame. By the people
along Maple River he is remembered with much honor, as
one of God's noblemen.

280 ' MEMORIALS OF THE
FLAT EIVEE INDIANS.
About 300 or 400 Indians centered at the mouth of the
Flat River. Their last chief there was Shogwogeno, a young
man. Cobmoosa was a sub-chief, as was also Wobwindego,
the father of the chief. Cobmoosa was an old man of most
majestic appearance. His manner of walking gave him his
name — " The Grand Walk." He had a Mormon supply of
wives — no less than six, three of Avhom were Wobwindego's
daughters. Wobwindego was the chief until he gave place
to his son Shogwogeno. He had three other sons — Aishkib-
egosh, Acongo and Wabesis. The last was a son by adoption.
His history and fate are elsewhere given.
When the Indians moved to their reservation at Penwater, .
Cobmoosa at first stayed behind. He could not leave the
graves of his forefathers, and the scenes of his early days.
To the last he remained an Indian, living in a wigwam,
though rich ; and dressing and living in Indian style.
Though most of the others in some degree adopted the dress
and style of the whites, he presisted in his old habits. He
said to Mr. Campau: "I am an Indian; and can be nothing
else. I wish my people and my children to be civilized. I
know your ways are superior to ours, and that my people
must adopt them or die. But I cannot change. The .young
can adopt new ways; the old cannot. I shall soon pass aAvay,
living and dying an Indian. You can bend the young tree,
but not the old oak." But, bent and broken by age, he did at
last go with his people, and died very old at PentAvater, in
1872. Cobmoosa was a man of mark. He was not so amiable or
respected as some of the other chiefs; he owed his position
among them mostly to his majestic mien and his eloquence.
His personal bearing was majestic, and before age had bowed
him down he walked the earth as a king. The writer first
saw him at the Indian payment, at Grand Rapids in the fall
of 1846. He was then tastefully dressed in Indian style, and
seemed proud that he was an Indian. But each passing year
took away from his kingly bearing, and soon Cobmoosa was
but a boAA-od and shuffling old man, who, when last seen,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 281
had so far humbled his Indian pride as to wear a white
man's coat, and he walked the streets of Grand Rapids as
an old white man does, whom death has neglected.
The lingering behind of old Cobmoosa gave rise to the fol
lowing, which was published in one of the Grand Rapids
papers: COBMOOSA'S LAMENT.
My step is the tread of a warrior no more;
The days of my pride and my glory are o'er;
No more shall I follow the foeman's track;
No more shall the war-chief welcome me back;
My bow, my nerves, and my heart are unstrung;
My death-song alone remains to be sung.
The braves of my clan have sunk to their rest;
Their children are gone to the north and the west;
The forests have fallen, the land is sold;
Our birthright is gone for the Christian's gold,
And manhood has passed from the Indian's brow,
Since he gave the soil to the white man's plow.
The lord of the forest is lord no more;
The pride of his manly soul is o'er.
The fields, where he won his youthful fame,
On the track of the foe, or in quest of game,
Are his no more. Unmanned he goes
To brood over the Indian's doom and woes;
His doom he sees in the towering halls.
His doom he reads, as the forest falls,
His doom he hears in the Sabbath chime,
His doom he reads in the march of time;
Will it shame thy heart, proud white man, say,
To shed a tear as we pass away?
As for me, I go not where my kindred have gone;
By the grave of my father I'll linger alone.
The oak may be rent by the lightning of heaven;
The storm- wind may bow it, its stem may be riven;
But with trunk sere and blasted, and shorn of its bays,
Still grasping the earth, it proudly decays.
As a son of the forest I lived in my pride;
As sons of the forest my forefathers died.
'Till I go to the land where the bright waters shine,
I'll live by their graves, and their grave shall be mine;
I linger not long, my nerves are unstrung,
My death song is ready, it soon will be sung.

282 MEMORIALS OF THE

HOLLAND BAND.

Near Holland was a band of about 300, under Wakazoo,
Avho was recognized as chief by the Indians and by the U. S.
government. These Indians made some advances in civiliza
tion; used oxen, carts, plows, etc.; learned to use the ax; had
a church, made of lumber picked up on the lake shore. To
some extent they adopted the dress and customs of the whites ;
raised corn, potatoes and squashes. A few learned to read.
They had some loghouses, which they used mostlyfor storage,
generally living in the common Indian wigwams. Isaac Fair
banks, who now is a justice of peace in Holland, was the gov
ernment farmer among them.
Mr. F. represents the Indians as peaceable, friendly and
honest; to the last degree hospitable and courteous to stran
gers; not only willing to share with others, but to give up all
in their generous hospitality. He represents the chief, Waka
zoo, as a native nobleman; talented, sagacious and manly. He
Avas morally a good man; generally temperate, but, towards
the last, a drinker. Drinking caused his death. He was of
medium size, with strongly marked Indian features; of com
manding presence; a fine orator, and noble fellow. He was
very old.
Maxsauba was also a leader; claimed to be a chief; Avas
talented, but not so amiable.
The Indian farms were about three miles southeast from
Holland. In 1848, the Mission was moved to Graud Traverse. A
few remained behind. The missionary teacher was Geo. N.
Smith, now of Northport, Grand Traverse.
CHIPPEWA MYTHOLOGY.
The following is extracted from the writings of Thomas L. McKinney, who,
as United States Commissioner, was sent, in conjunction with Gen. Cass,
to negotiate a treaty with the Chippawas of Michigan, August, 1826.
It is proper to premise, that the Mrs. Johnson referred to as narrating the
legend, was the wife of Mr. Johnson, an Irishman, who, traveling by Lake
Superior, became enamored with .the daughter of the famous chief, "Wah
jick; " afterwards married her, and spent his life educating his family-
family spoken of in the highest terms by all who knew them. Of this Mi.a
Johnson, Mr. McKinney speaks in the following terms of high appreciation

a- -a
rs.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 283
Mrs. Johnson is a genuine Chippewa, without the smallest admixture of
white blood. She is tall and large, but uncommonly active and cheerful. She
dresses nearly in the custom of her nation. Her bair is black; her eyes are
black and expressive, and pretty well marked, according to phrenologists,
with the development of language. Her face, taken altogether, denotes a
A-igorous intellect and great firmness of character; and needs only to be seen,
to satisfy a tyro in physiognomy, that she required only the advantages of
education and society, to have placed her on the level with the most distin
guished of her sex. As it is, she is a prodigy. As a wife, she is devoted to
her husband; as a mother, tender and affectionate; as a friend, faithful.
She manages her domestic concerns in a way that might afford lessons to the
better instructed. They are rarely exceeded anywhere; whilst she vies with
her generous husband in his hospitality to strangers. She understands, but
will not speak English. As to influence, there is no chief in the Chippewa
nation, who exercises it, when it is necessary for her so to do, with equal
success. Gen. Cass acknowledges his deep obligation to her in 1820, for, at
a critical time in the negotiation, when the prospect was that all would fail,
interposing her influence, and by her pursuasive reasonings with the Indians,
saving the treaty. She has never been known, in a single instance, to coun
cil her people but in accordance with her convictions of what was best for.
them, and never in opposition to the government. Her Indian name is
" Oshan-guscoday-way-gua." She was the mother of Mrs. Schoolcraft, and Mrs. Oaks. Her picture, at
tested by Mrs. T. D. Gilbert, who knew her well, as being life-like and true
to the original, is now before the writer. It evidences mental and moral
dignity and greatness. But to our Indian story.
She was asked by McKinney to give him some of the traditions of her peo
ple, and she, in Chippewa, with great spirit, gave him the following, which
was translated by her husband and daughter:
"A man from the North, gray-headed, and leaning on his staff, went
roving over all countries and climes. Looking round him one day, after hav
ing traveled, without intermission, for four moons, he sought a spot on which
to recline and rest himself. He had not been long seated before he saw be-
forehim a young man, very beautiful in exterior, with rosy cheeks, sparkling
eyes, and his head crowned with flowers, and from between his lips he blew
a breath as sweet as the wild mountain rose. Said the old man to him as he
leaned upon his staff, his beard reaching low down upon his breast, 'Let us
repose here awhile, and converse a little. But first we will build a fire, and
and we will bring together much wood, for it will be needed to keep us
warm.' The fire was made, and each took his seat by it, and began to con
verse — each telling the other where he came from, and what had befallen
him on the way, Presently the young man felt cold. He looked round him
to see what had produced the change, and pressed his hands against his
cheeks to keep them warm. At this moment the old man spoke, and said:
' When I wish to cross a river, I blow upon it and make it hard and walk
over on its surface. I have only to speak and bid the waters be still, and
touch them with my finger, and they become hard as stone. The tread of
my foot makes soft things hard, and my power is boundless.'

284 MEMORIALS OF THE
" The young man, feeling still colder, and growing tired of the old man's
boasting, and morning being nigh, as seen by the rosy tints in the east,
said: ' Now,' my friend, I wish to speak.' ' Speak,' said the old man, ' My
ear, though it be old, is open, it can hear.' ' I go,' said the young man.
' over all the earth, too. I have seen it covered Avith snow, and the waters
I have seen hard; but I have only passed over them and the snow has melted,
the mountain rivulets have begun to run, and rivers to move, and the ice to
melt The earth has become green under my tread; the flowers blossomed,
the birds were joyful, and all that you have referred to as produced by your
power, has vanished.'
" The old man fetehed a deep sigh; and, shaking his head, said: ' I know
thee — thou art Spring.' 'True,' said the young man, ' and here behold my
head; see it crowned with flowers; and my cheeks, how they bloom. Come,
near, and touch me. Thou, ' exclaimed the young man, ' art Winter. I know
thy power is great, but thou darast not come to my country. Thy beard
would fall off, all thy strength would fail, and thou wouldst die.' The old
man felt the truth of the remark, and before, the morning was fully come he
was seen vanishing away! But each, before they parted, expressed the
wish that they might meet again."
"My wife," said Johnson, having told you a Chippewa allegory, I will
tell you first a tale of generous heroism, and then one of superstition." So
he began:
'•The following story I got from Gitche-gansine. Gitche-gansine was a.
distinguished warrior. After a great battle with the Sioux, a few skulkers
took off the bodies of some of the slain, and made soup of them. Gitche-
gansine, passing by at the time, they said unto him, "Are you brave enough
to partake of our mess, and assist us in eating the bodies of the slain?"
'No,' said he, I killed- them, but only men base like you, can eat them.'
"Some years afterward, Gitche-gansine fell sick, and, all supposed, died.
His wife, contrary to Indian custom, instead of burying him the same day,
kept his corpse four days, insisting that he was not dead; but nevertheless,
tied the bag to his back, which it is usual to bury with the dead, and in
which supplies are put. On the fourth day, she put her hand to his breast
ancTfelt it rise; and soon after discovered that he was not dead. Shortly
after, Gitche-gansine opened his eyes and spoke, saying, 0, but I have
slept long! I have had a strange dream! It immediately occurred to his
wife that she had not, as is the custom of this people, put by his side his ket
tle and the various other things that are usually put by the side of the de
ceased, to assist him in getting a support in the land of souls. The thought
had but just passed when he continued and said:. — "Why did you not place
my kettle and my bows and arrows beside me ? Now I know the reason why
I have come back. I have said I have had a strange dream. I was going
along the paths the spirits tread, and it was smooth. I saw many people
traveling along this path, and of various descriptions, and all carrying
burdens of various kinds. I saw many lodges, and in them the drums were
beating; and there was dancing in them all; but nobody invited me to join
the dance. Every person who spoke to me, asked, ' Where are you going V '
' Why do you return ? ' I also saw much game; many deer and elk, etc.,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 285
andfeeling for my arrows, and finding I had none, I determined on returning.
I saw a woman; 'You need not return' said she; 'here is a kettle; and
here,' said another, 'is a gun.' I took them, but still determined to return,
because those were not my own. As I arrived near my own lodge, I found
myself on the borders of a fiery plain. I examined it. It was a circle of
fire and my own lodge was in the middle of the circle. I asked myself how
am I to cross this fire? I resolved to try; when, making a strong exertion, I
leaded through the flames and found it was a dream."
FROM MCKINNEY's LETTERS.
The introductory paragraph is to show the Indian idea of malicious spells.
It is to be premised that McKinney had become much interested in an Indian
girl, who was blind and paralytic.
'' At this moment her mother spoke and said, it was an Indian who had
done that. 'How?' I asked. ' He put a spell upon her,' she answered.
' For what? ' She said she did not know. I had the same question put to
her father, who had that moment come in. He answered by saying that the
Indian wished to marry her, and she did not favor his application; and he
supposed it was for that he put the spell upon her. I asked the father,
through the interpreter, who made the world ? and got for answer the follow
ing story :
" It was made by Nanibojou. Nanibojou and two wolves went out hunt
ing. After the first clay's hunt, one of the wolves parted from them, and
went to the left, and the other continued with Nanibojou, and Nanibojou
adopted him for his son. Nanibijou, knowing that there Avere devils living
in the lake, he and his son went to war with them, and destroyed all the devils
that lived in one lake; then pursued their way hunting; but every deer and
wolf they started and gave chase to, would run into another of the 1 akes. One
• day the wolf chased a deer. It ran upon the ice in the lake. The wolf pursued
it; the ice broke at the moment the wolf had caught the deer, and both fell in.
The devils caught both the wolf and the deer, and devoured them. Then
Nanibojou went up and down the lake shore, crying; when a loon in the lake
heard Nanibojou crying, and called to him to know what he was crying about.
Nanibojou answered that he had lost his son in the lake; and the loon replied
that the devils had eaten him; and if he wanted to see the devils, he might,
by going to a certain place, as the devils would come out there to sun them
selves. Nanibojou went according, and saw the devils in the forms of
snakes, bears and other things. And when the two head devils got out on
the bank, they saw something of uncommon appearance, which they had not
seen before, and halting, they sent a very large devil, in the form of a snake,
to see what this strange sight was. Nanibojou, seeing the devil coming,
assumed the appearance of a stump. The devil, coming up, wrapped
himself round it, and drew upon it with all his strength, and squeezed so
hard that Nanibojou was on the point of crying out, when the devil uncoiled
himself a little, and then wound round him again, and drew, if possible,
harder than he did before. So severe did Nanibojou feel the pressure to
bo, that he was just about crying out, when the devil relaxed his hold,
and returned to his companions, and told them it was nothing but a stump.

£86 MEMORIALS OF THE
But the devils were not satisfied; so they sent another, in the shape of a
bear to try what he could make of it. The bear came up to Nanibojou
and hugged him, and bit him, and clawed him; and so severe was
the bear on him, that he was as before on the point of crying out, when the
bear relaxed his hold and forbore to bite and scratch. He however repeated
his attacks, and it was with the greatest difficulty Nanibojou could forbear
to cry out. The bear returned and told the devils it was nothing but a
stump. Whereupon, the devils all went to sleep in the sun, as the snakes
do, when Nanibojou, being convinced that they were all asleep, shot with
arrows the two great devils. When the rest of the devils awoke, and
'found their principal devils had been killed, they pursued Nanibojou with
a great flood of water. Nanibojou, hearing it coming, fled before it, ami
ran from hill to hill, until he had got to the top of the highest mountain,
and there climbed the highest pine tree that he could see. But the waters
followed him to the top of this tree, when he prayed that the tree might
grow. It did grow, but the waters rose still higher. He prayed again,
being about covered with water — it being now up to his chin. He prayed
a third time, but the tree grew only a little. Then, looking around him
Upon the waters, he saw a number of animals swimming in various direc
tions, and amongst them a bear, an otter, and a muskrat. He called them
brothers, and said, 'Come to me.' We must have some earth or we shall
all die. They came, and the bear went first after some earth, by diving
into the waters, but drowned before he reached the bottom. Next the otter
¦went down. He got within sight of land, but lost his senses before he got
a bite of it. Then the muskrat went down and reached the bottom, and
just as he got a bite of it he lost his senses and floated up to the top of the
water. Nanibojou had them all brought to him; when he examined all
their claws, beginning with the bear, but found no earth in any of them,
except a little in those of the muskrat. He took it in his hand, and rubbed
it and held it up to the sun until it dried. Then he blew it all round him
¦over the water, and dry land appeared. I asked him who made the earth
the muskrat found. He answered, he did not know. He knew nothing
beyond the time when Nanoibjou made the earth. I asked him where
Nanibojou was now. He answered, 'somewhere towards the rising sun.'
* What is he like; is he a man in his appearance, or what does he resem
ble?' He answered: 'He is like a man.' 'Was he ever married?'
' Yes: but he has had no wife of late.' I then asked him who made
Nanibojou? He said he was a twin, and was born of a woman, who had
never had a husband, and who, on giving Nanibojou and his brother life,
had vanished, and had never been seen since, nor had Nanibojou's brother.
Some may fancy that here they see an analogy between this and the
Noahic flood, and the mystery of the incarnation. If one is determined to
find coincidences, they can hardly be avoided.
wabajick's war song.
Wabajick was the great war chief of LaPoint, Lake Superior,— the
father of Mrs. Johnson, and grandfather of Mrs. Oaks. The version here
given, is by Mr. Johnson. It is a translation of the song used by the chief
and his warriors.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 287
" On that day, when our heroes lay low — lay low —
On that day when our heroes lay low,
I fought by their side, and thought ere I died,
Just vengeance to take on the foe — the foe —
Just vengeance to take on the foe.
On that day, when our chieftain lay dead—lay dead,
On that day when our chieftain lay dead,
I fought hand-to-hand at the head of my band;
And here on my breast have I bled — have I bled,
And here on my breast have I bled.
Our chiefs shall return no more— no more,
Our chiefs shall return no more.
Nor their brothers in war, who can't show scar for scar,
Like women, their fates shall deplore— deplore,
Like women, their fates shall deplore.
Five winters in hunting we'll spend—we'll spend,
Five winters in hunting we'll spend;
Then our youth, grown to men, to the war lead again,
And our days, like our fathers', we'll end— we'll end,
And our days, like our fathers, we'll end.
Indian SONS.
As a literary curiosity, we here give a song in the Chippewa language,
composed by a daughter of Wabijick, with a literal translation in English
by her sister, Mrs. Schoolcraft. THE OJIBWAT MAID.
Ann dush ween do win ane,
Gitchy Mocomaun ainee;
Caw auzhaw wot da mode
We yea, haw ha! etc.
Wah yaw burn maud e,
Ojibway quaine un e,
We maw jaw need e,
We yea, etc.
Omowe maun e
We nemoshain yun;
We maw jaw need e,
We yea, etc.
Caw ween gush sha ween,
Kin waingh e we yea,
0 guh maw e maw seen,
We yea, etc.

288 MEMORIALS OF THE
Me gush sha ween e yea,
Ke bish quaw bum maud e,
Tehe won ain e maud e,
We yea, etc.
"Why! what is the matter with the young American? He crosses the
river, with tears in his eyes. He sees the young Ojibway girl, preparing to
leave the place. He sobs for his sweetheart, for she is going away! But he
will not sigh long for her, for as soon as he is out of her sight, he will for
get her." AN INDIAN SUPERSTITION.
The Indians never go around, but make a portage over Kewana Point.
Besides the distance, they have another reason. They have a tradition of
long standing, perhaps of a hundred years, that some of their people, in
going round this point, attempted to make a visit to Beaver Island. They
approached it, when the form of a woman appeared ; and as they continued
to approach, she continued to grow, until her size became so overpowering
and fearful, that to get rid of her awful aspect, they fled. They interpreted
this appearance into an interdiction of their right to approach it in future;
and believing that this woman held dominion over all the beavers on Ke
wana, Point, they never dared to disturb these animals there. The conse
quence was that when an old gentleman, now a resident at the South, first
traversed this region, some forty years ago, the beavers in the little lakes and
rivers of this Point were countless. They had been undisturbed for half a
century or more. This tradition is believed, and acted upon by the Chippe
was until this day. It was doubtless a mirage that spread out in that form.
INDIAN GRAVES.
The Indians' graves are first covered over with bark. Over the grave a
shelter like an Indian lodge is built, poles stuck in the ground, bent over and
fastened at the top, and covered with bark. An opening is left like that of
a lodge. Before this door a post is planted, and if the dead was a warrior,
painted red. Near this post a pole is planted about ten feet long. From
the top of this pole is suspended the ornaments of the deceased, or the 3calps
he has taken.
The author thinks this will, in part, account for the small mounds, that
are quite common where the Indians had their villages. These mounds are
generally about eight or ten feet in diameter, and about two feet high. In
them will be found a set of human bones, and coals. Did not the Indians
place the dead in a hut and cover the hut with earth? The appearances
indicate that. MOURNING.
It is required of a Chippewa woman when her husband dies, that she shall
take her best apparel, roll it up, and confine it by means of her husband's
sashes; and if he had ornaments, those are generally put on the top of the
roll; and around it is wrapped apiece of cloth. This bundle is called her
husband; and it is expected that she will never be seen Avithout it. This

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 289
badge of mourning she is obliged to carry with her until some one of her late
husband's family shall call and take it away; which is clone when they think
she has mourned long enough, and which is generally at the end of a year.
' She is then, and not until then, at liberty to marry again. She may, if she
so chooses, take this husband to- the family ofthe deceased, and leave it; but
this is considered indecorous, and is seldom done.
Sometimes a brother of the deceased takes the widow for his wife at the
grave of her husband; which is done by the ceremony of walking her over
it. This he has a right to do; or, if she chooses, she has the right to go to
him, and he is bound to support her; and she is not required to go into
mourning. (Adair here sees a Jewish custom.)
The Chippewa, men mourn by painting their faces black.
A Chippewa mother, on losing her child, prepares an image of it in the
best manner she is able, and dresses it as she did her living child; fixes it in
her child's cradle ; goes through the ceremony of nursing it, as if alive. This
continues for a year. Apparently there are no people who live more affec
tionately, or with greater constancy, than the Chippewa women. Their at
tachment to their husbands and children is ardent and lasting, leading them
to endure all privations and hardships for them while living, and to mourn in
ecstacies of grief when they die.
THE INDIAN CANOE.
This canoe is wholly of Indian invention, and the white man has never
been able to improve it. It is made of the outer bark of the white birch,
which is taken off in a single piece, and dried in the sun, the inner side up
wards. The two ends are brought together flat, and fastened by sewing;
the middle swelled out and kept in place by slender strips of wood. The
whole is so light that a canoe capable of carrying four persons, scarcely
weighs fifty pounds, and can easily be carried on the head of a squaw. The
Indians propel this with a paddle, which they operate nearly in the manner
of a cluck's foot. The canoe is extremely buoyant, and requires much skill
in its management.

BY SCHOOLCRAFT.
" In the region of lakes, Avhere the blue waters sleep,
Our beautiful fabric was built;
Light cedar supported its weight on the deep,
And its sides with the sunbeams were gilt,
The bright leafy bark of the betula tree,
A flexible sheathing provides;
And the fir's thready roots draw the parts to agree,
And bind clown its high swelling sides.
" No compass or gavel was used on the bark,
No art but the simplest degree;
But the structure was finished, and trim to remark,
And as light as a sylph's could be.
19

290 MEMORIALS OF THE
Its rim was with tender young roots woven 'round,
Like a pattern of wicker-work rare;
And it pressed on the wave with as lightsome abound
As a basket suspended in air.
"The heavens in their brightness and glory below
Were reflected quite plain to the view;
And moved like a swan — with as graceful a show,
Our beautiful birchen canoe.
The trees on the shore, as we glided along,
Seemed moving a contrary way;
And our voyagers lightened their toil with a song,
That caused every heart to be gay.
" And still as we floated by rock and by shell,
Our bark raised a murmur aloud,
And it danced on the waves, as they rose, or they fell,
Like a Fay on a bright summer cloud.
We said as we passed o'er the liquid expanse,
With the landscape in smiling array,
How blest we should be if our lives should advance
Thus tranquil and sweetly away.
" The skies were serene — not a cloud was in sight —
Not an angry surge beat on the shore;
And we gazed on the water, and then on the light,
'Till our Ansion could bear it no more.
0 long will we think of those silver- bright lakes,
And the scenes they exposed to our view;
Our friends, and the wishes we formed for their sakes,
And our bright yellow birchen canoe."
PIPE DANCE.
" The Indians came up from the landing in double file, with their drums in
the lead, dancing, or rather jumping in short jumps, to the time kept by the
drummers. Those who thumped the drums sang also, but the song was a
jumble of sounds — a kind of " a-ha, a-ha, oh! oh! the oh aspirated with
great force. At short intervals the whole would yell and shout, and multiply
the sounds by clapping their hands on their mouths. On reaching the
ground opposite the commissioner's quarters, the line was formed, by this
jumping motion, into a circle, out of which those who beat the drums kept
their stations. Round and round they went, with a kind of double short-
step, first with one foot, and then with the other; but the motion throughout
was up and down. When they had gone two or three times around, the
drums would give the signal, when they would scream a/id whoop and clap
their mouths with their hands — then stand. They were nearly naked, and
it could be seen by their breathing, that the exercise was severe. They were
painted, their heads ornamented with feathers, and bells and trinkets were

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 291
in their plaited hair. That nothing should be wanting to make the scene a
finished grotesque, a little boy not over five years old, was in the midst,
painted black, keeping time to the drum, with an enormous head-dress of
feathers. He went through the whole ceremony with them. In the pauses,
a warrior would tell his exploits, and these would be shouted to vociferously.
This was a pipe dance — a dance of ceremony, or rather as it ought to be
called, a begging dance. Their object was to get presents.
RELIGION.
There is one custom of the Indians that is identical with that of the Tews —
their houses of purification.
They believe in a spiritual future state — think that they, and everything
x else will be spiritual; that they will hunt in the land of souls; but that it
will be the spirits of the animals — that the very briars and thorns will be
spiritual. Everything will appear to be real, and yet nothing will be so.
They are superstitious — governed by dreams and signs in the heavens.
They go to war, make peace, commence or abandon a journey, marry, or
resolve not to marry, just as they may chance to interpret a dream, or judge
a sign in the heavens to be favorable or otherwise.
They inflict wounds on their bodies when in deep sorrow.
They believe the spirit lingers still with the body, until decomposed; hence
their offerings at the graves of the deceased.
THE WABANA — FEAST AND DANCE.
The Indians killed and dressed one of their dogs. A wabana is a dance,
the ceremonies attending which are understood to be offerings to the devil,
after which the feast is eaten, of which the flesh of the dog is considered the
nicest offering. At 8 o'clock, the exercises began, by beating or thumping
the Indian drum. The Indian drum resembles the tambourine, with rat
tles in it; held in one hand by a string, while it is struck with a slow
thump, thump, with a stick in the other, slow at first, then in quicker
time, with a kind of double stroke, accompanied by singing. We can
hardly call it singing, it is a kind of ch-e-o-a, the ch uttered sharp and
aspirated (Adair sees, or hears in that e-o-a — "Jehovah"). The In
dians, to the number of twenty or more, were seated on a carpet of
spruce boughs, all round the tent, and as near the walls of it as they
could get. There were two women and two little girls — the latter about
ten years old. The rest were men, painted and dressed out in feathers of
various kinds. The drum was not silent a moment, but an Indian who held
it kept on beating, while every one in the tent was as still, and looked as
serious as if it had been a funeral. Presently one of the little girls rose, and
stepping into the middle of the tent began to dance. The dance of the
females is peculiar, never lifting their feet from the ground, but placing them
close together, and, in time with the thump of the drum, raising their heels
and turning them first to the right, and then to the left, keeping up the per
pendicular motion meanAvhile. This little girl danced for about five minutes,
and then sat clown ; when an old woman rose and danced in like manner,
for about the same time. As soon as she was seated, an unusually tall In
dian, dressed in skins entered with a wild and fierce countenance, blowing

292 MEMORIALS OF THE
and looking round the tent, and uttering at every expiration of his breath,
" ch! ch! ch!" when presently a younger Indian entered and seized him by
the arms, and being disengaged by the force of the other, caught at his body
as if his object was to make him surrender something. Presently they each
took a drum, and went round the tent half bent, and stepping to the time,
beating the drum in the faces of the Indians, who were seated around the
tent. After going around several times he commenced a speech— an address
to the Evil Spirit— the substance of which was to appease and beg his com
passion on them. The delivery of the speech was attended with the most
violent gesticulations and contortions of the body, and with such effect that
the perspiration ran off his face in streams. He then went round the tent
as before, followed by some half a dozen Indians, all singing and half bent,
stepping in time to the beat of the drum. Then the leader would make
another address, and the dance would be joined by others.
These ceremonies were kept up all the night. At sunrise the feast was
brought in. It was in two kettles, each holding about six gallons. When
the feast was brought in, the drum-beating and the dancing ceased. All,
especially the old men, looked weary, and some had fallen asleep. Of
course the twelve gallons of soup were eaten; as it is a rule that nothing
shall be left CHIPPEWA CHIVALRY.
In the year 1819-20, thirteen Chippewa youths left Grand Isle, to go to
war with their ancient enemy — the Sioux — a war on the part of those youths
of self-destruction; their sole object being to wash away with their blood
the imputation of cowardice, which had been cast upon them by others of
their tribe, living higher up the lake, and near the seat of war. Prior to
their setting out, they appointed a young man — a runner — to accompany
them, and watch the result of their enterprise; and in the event of their
destruction, to hasten back with the tidings of it. They advanced into the
enemy's country; and soon after fell in with a party of four times their
strength. They immediately selected their ground, and directing the youth
to take a position from which he could see the battle, made their onset. It
was previously agreed that, after this, they were, to retreat to a certain place,
and there sell their lives at the dearest rate; appointing meanwhile, a fa
vorable position from which this young man might see them die. In the
onset they killed twice their own number; and then retreated to their last
intrenchment. Enraged at their loss, the Sioux pursued, fell upon, and
amidst great carnage, slew them all. The runner set off immediately for
his own country, and making his way through the forests, and clown the
lake, arrived in safety among his people, and told the story of those deeds
of daring and of death. This young man was seen by Gen. Cass and Mr.
Schoolcraft, in 1820; and they heard him sing the song of the slain, and re
count the incidents of this bloody adventure.
INDIAN LANGUAGE.
The Indian languages have their masculine and feminine — or the language
to be addressed to men, and that to women. In some tribes these populari
ties are very marked.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 293
An amusing illustration of this occurred at the treaty of Grand Rapids, in
1835. The Rev. Mr. Slater was selected as interpreter between the govern
ment authorities and the Ottawa Indians. He had acquired the language
principally from the Indian women who were inmates of his family. When
the Indian agent had given his talk to the assembled council of Indian dig
nitaries, Mr. Slater addressed himself to them by putting into Indian the
speech of the government official. No. reply was made to it by the Indians.
They listened patiently, and that was all. This unaccountable and provok
ing silence was at last broken by one of the lesser chiefs, who said, " If you
came here to talk with men, why don't you use the tongue of a man, and
not speak to us the words- of a woman?" Mr. Slater, to his great mortifica
tion, had to " step down and out;" and another interpreter had to be select
ed before the business could proceed.
INDIAN TREATIES.
Previous to March 25th, 1822, the lands of Western Michi
gan, with the exception of certain small tracts which by pre
vious treaties had been ceded to the United States, were in full
possession of the Indians. August 29th, 1821, a treaty was
concluded by the IT. S. commissioners — Lewis Cass and Solo
mon Sibley — and the chiefs of the Ottawa, Chippewa and
Pottawatomie tribes of Indians, met in general council at Chi
cago. For the particulars and wording of this treaty, reference
may be made to Peters' edition of the " Treaties of the Uni
ted States," vol. "VII, page 218. An abstract is here given:
"The Indians cede all the territory in Michigan south of\
the north bank of the Grand Biver, with five reservations;
two of them six miles square; one, four miles square; and two
three miles square. Certain grants of land are made to indi
viduals, specifying their location, amounting in all to about
one township.
In consideration, the United States engage to pay to the
Ottawa nation one thousand dollars ($1,000) in specie annually,
forever; and also to appropriate annually $1,500, for ten years,
for the support of a blacksmith, a teacher and a farmer, and
for the purchase of agricultural tools.
The United States engage to pay to the PottaAvatomie na
tion $5,000 in specie, annually, for twenty years; and also to
appropriate, annually, for fifteen years, the sum of $1,000, for
a blacksmith and teacher, stipulating that one square mile shall
be selected on the north side of the Grand River, and one square

294 MEMORIALS OF THE
mile on the south side of the St. Joseph's River, and within
the Indian lands, where the blacksmith and teacher should
reside. The treaty was signed by eight chiefs of the OttaAvas, two of
the Chippewas, and fifty-five of the Pottawatomies.
By the treaty at Chicago, September 26th, 1833, the Chip
pewa, Ottawa and Pottawatomie nations cede to the United
States most of their reservations south of the Grand River, for
$100,000; $40,000 of it in annuities running twenty years.
For particulars, see the aforementioned book, page 442.
By the treaty at "Washington (see page 491 of said book), the
land north of the Grand River, with certain reservations, is
ceded to the United States.
The consideration Avas: An annuity of $30,000, for twenty
years, $18,000 of it to be paid to the Indians between Grand
River and the Cheboygan. Second: $5,000 per annum for twenty
years for purposes of education. Third: $3,000 for missions.
Fourth: $1,000 for agricultural implements, cattle and me
chanical tools. Fifth: $300 for medicines and a physician.
Sixth: Provisions to the amount of $2,000, and 6,500 lbs. of
tobacco, 100 barrels of salt and 500 fish barrels, annually for
twenty years. Seventh: $150,000 in goods on the ratification
of the treaty, and $200,000 additional, if they choose to give
up their reservations. Eighth: The sum of $300,000 is set
apart to pay the debts of the Indians. Ninth: $150,000 is
set apart as a fund for the half-breeds.
Two additional blacksmith shops are given the Indians; a
permanent interpreter; two farmers, and two mechanics to_,
teach the Indians for ten years.
It is also agreed to remove the Indians west, at Govern
ment expense, when the Indians desire it; and to pay for the
Mission establishment on the Grand River.
The Indians had made gifts of lands to certain persons,
which they wished the Government to ratify. But, acting on
a policy before decided on, the sanction of the United States
was refused; the lands were appraised, and the sum of the
appraisal awarded to the individuals. To Rix Robinson, in
lieu of his section of land on the Grand River Rapids, $23,040;

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 295
to Leonard Slater, in trust for Chinninoniquot, $6,400. The
whole allowance for these claims, was $48,148.
Thirty thousand dollars was paid the chiefs on the ratifica
tion of the treaty. They Avere divided into three classes: the
first class to receive $500, the second $200, and the third
$100. On the Grand River the chiefs were: Mokkotioska (Black
Skin), Namattippy, Namequoggevhih (Noon Day), Nebune-
gishih, "Wobwindego (White Giant), Cobmoosa (the Big
Walker), Moccotti-ocquit (Black Cloud) Mixicininni (Wam
pum Man), and Winnimissaugee, of the first class.
On the Muskegon, Osawga and Owunaishcum were ranked
in the first class.
On the Grand River, of the second class, were: Keshah-
owash, Keway-tow-a-by, Wob-i-ton-guay-say, Ka-no-tin-aish-
turn, Boy-nash-ing, Na-wa-qua-gee-zhich, We-non-ga, Nugog-
i-kay-bee, Wa-poos, Ke-wa-ton-do, Ke-way-coosh-cum, Zha-
qui-naw, Ke-na-ti-nunk, Pa-baw-bo-co, Win-de-cow-iss, Shag-
wab-e-no, Pam-os-say-ga, Muc-cu-tay-pe-nay, Tush-e-toAv-an.
Of the third class on the Grand River were: Ka-she-way,
Kee-na-bie, Kee-niss-o-way, and none on the Muskegon.
This treaty is signed on the part of the United States, by
Henry Schoolcraft; and on the part ofthe Indians by O-wun-
aish-cum, Was-van-ga-xo, O-sau-ga, of Muskegon; Wab-i-
wid-i-go, Mix-i-ci-minny, jSTa-bun-a-gu-zhig, Grand River,
and sixteen other chiefs from other parts of the State.
The Indian names, as here given, are as they appear on the
treaties. In what is otherwise said of the Indians, the names
are as familiarly spoken by those who were acquainted Avith
them. An Indian name was a thing and not a word; and
always liable to be Avritten differently. »
KEWIQUASHCTJM, OK "LONG NOSE."
This man was chief of the Flat River clans; and at the time
of the Cass Treaty at Chicago, went with the Pottawatomies
and signed the treaty on the part of the Ottawas. The In
dians never forgave it; and kept him in fear of his life. The
earlier settlers of the Valley recollect him very Avell ; for once

296 MEMORIALS OF THE
having seen him, he could never be forgotten. He was called
"Long Nose," from the enormous size of the "nose on his
face " ; an absolute deformity. He was finally killed by one
of his clan, in the fall of 1839.
The Indians had come to Grand Rapids, to the " Payment."
That over, most of them had gone home. He and a few others
Avere camped on the bank of the river a little above the mouth
of Cold Brook, enjoying a drunk. They got out of liquor,
and sent to the village for whisky, leaving Kewiquashcum
and Wesagemah with two children — a boy and a girl. The
rest is as told by that boy, as a man, to Seth Robinson.
It is proper to premise that Mr. Robinson is son of Lucas
Robinson; has all his life been in intimate association with
the Indians; is perfectly master of their language; and has
been Indian interpreter. Feeling an interest in the case, he
sought out the boy, who witnessed the murder of Long Nose,
and by giving him half a dollar to tell the story, obtained the
following particulars, which are, in the language of the wit
ness, translated by Mr. Robinson:
" I sat in the stern of a canoe, tied to the bank of Grand
River, near the mouth of Cold Brook. I had a knife in my
hand, peeling a turnip. The two old men, Wasogenaw and
Kewiquashcum sat on the bank by the fire. I heard Wasoge
naw say — ' You old fool ! did you not know better than to sell
this whole territory and impoverish your nation ? I am going
to take your life!' Kewiquashcum, pulling out and flourish
ing his knife, said ' You can't do that! Do you see this! ' The
other man bent doAvn to me and said — 'Do you see that man?
He is what has impoverished you. Let me take that knife
you have got; I am going to kill him! Then I want you to
help me put him in this canoe, and we will take him to the
middle of the river, and* throw him in.' I dropped my knife
into the river, and said 'I have no knife.' The old man said,
' I thought I saw you peeling a turnip with a knife.' Show
ing him a sliver of wood, I said, ' No, I had only this.' The
old man became very furious; and raving about, went to the
bank of the river, and pulled out a maple club about two feet
long, with a knot at one end. He brandished it around franti-

t i

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 297
cally, capering the Avhile and saying to me — ' This is the way
when you kill something.' Then, rushing up to Kewiquash
cum, and saying, Avith frantic gestures, 'This is the way
Avhen you kill something,' struck him on the head. The old
man threw up his hands and feet, dropped his knife and
begged. The other kept on striking, and repeating the same
expression. I jumped out of the canoe, and ran toAvard the
village. Wasogenaw called to me to stop. I ran faster, he
following. Jumping across Cold Brook, I got into the mud
and fell down. Looking back, the old man Avas over me Avith
a club. I evaded him; ran, and met the party returning with
the Avhisky. I said to them, ' The old men are killing each
other.' A son of WasogenaAV said to me — ' I will go and
pacify him' (his father). He walked up to his father, and
patting his cheek, said 'You fool! can't you be satisfied with
committing one murder, without taking the life of the boy?'
The old man then fell on the ground and cried. All the men
then went to the camp, and found Kewiqnashcum dead. They
put him in a canoe and carried him to Plainfield." He was
buried there, under the hill some twenty rods south of the
bridge; and but a feAv rods from the spot was buried Wabe
sis, another victim of the Indian treaties and Indian dissatis
faction with the makers of them.
ANECDOTES OF INDIANS.
At Portland an Indian had been furnished liquor until he
got pretty drunk. On the trader's refusing to give him more,
he attempted to stab him. The trader complained to the
chief, who caused him to be whipped nearly to death in the
trader's presence. In consequence, he was unable to leave his
cabin for a week; then he came back, and demanded more
whisky, saying that he had been whipped just tAvo quarts too
much. Illustrative of the shrewdness and. piety of the preacher
Jackson, the following is told by Mr. Smith. As Smith is a
common name, no one can consider it personal.
Jackson owed Smith, and Smith had dunned him several
times. They happened to meet on Canal street, at Grand

298 MEMORIALS OF THE
Rapids; after the salutations, Jackson invited Smith into a
saloon, and, stepping up to the bar, called for brandy for both;
they drank, and chatted, Smith expecting every moment that
Jackson Avould pay up. After awhile, Jackson called for more
brandy, and while they were discussing it, he blandly turned
to Smith, and said: "You will have to pay for the drinks; I
have no money."
Tableau — " Elongation of Countenance."
LEGISLATIVE ACTS CONCERNING THE INDIANS.
By the Territorial Laws passed in 1812, persons interested
in selling liquor to the Indians may be fined $100, and costs.
In 1815, tavern-keepers were forbidden to sell liquor to In
dians AA'ithout permission from the Superintendent of Indian
Affairs. In 1821, the penalty for selling liquor to them was made
f 100, and the forfeiture of what was given in exchange.
By law of 1816, Indians and Negroes may be whipped, in
stead of the common penalties.
Same by law of 1820. Same by law of 1827.
In 1841, Indians Avere declared to ha\7e judicial rights.
Penalty for selling liquor to them, $20 on first conviction;
subsequent offense, $40; one-half to the informer.
1847. The State favors the idea of the Chippewa Indians
purchasing their lands, and asked Congress to give the right.
THE MISSION.
Before the occupation of the region by white people, it was
known as a Mission Station.
In 1821, the efforts of the missionaries, which had been for
some time directed to the Indians of Southern Michigan and
Northern Indiana, began to assume shape, and take the name
of action. In February of this year, Isaac McCoy, appointed
by the Board of Managers of the Baptist Missionary Conven
tion for the United States, to labor in Illinois and Indiana, vis
ited Detroit, and had an interview with Gov. Cass, Avho prom
ised him aid; furnished at that time $450 of clothing and
food for Ft. Wayne; and subsequently the money promised
Avas placed in the hands of McCoy. Efforts werj also made

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 299
to get into the treaty, soon to be made at Chicago, stipulations
which should favor educational purposes among the Indians.
Through the influence of Col. Trimble, the U. S. Senator
from Ohio,th£se claims Avere urged Avith good success. The
Pottawatomies 'gave a mile square of land, to be held as U. S.
public property. It was stipulated that government should
place on this section a teacher and a blacksmith, and should
expend in their support $1,000, for the term of ten years. To
bring about such an arrangement cost much labor, watchful
ness and anxiety. There were many strong prejudices of the
Indians to contend with; also the influence of the traders.
And then the Jesuits were continually at work to defeat the
project of educating the Indians. At the same treaty, the gov
ernment made a similar arrangement with the Ottawas, to fur
nish $1,500 for ten years; and also to supply cattle, farming
tools, etc. Subsequently Mr. McCoy was appointed Superin
tendent, to carry out those parts of the treaty. The facilities
provided for the Ottawas could not be secured to the Mission as
early as those for the Pottawatomies, on aecount of the failure
of a missionary, who endeavored to convert the stipulations
of the treaty to his own account, in which, however, he failed.
On the representation of Mr. McCoy, the Pottawatomie
mission was located Avhere Niles noAv stands; and the one for
the Ottawas on the right bank of the Grand River, at the foot
of the rapids.
At this time, Noon-Day was the chief of the Ottawa tribe.
There was no established trading post at Grand Rapids.
On the 28th of June, 1822, Mr. McCoy set out from Ft.
Wayne for Detroit, to receive the privileges provided by the
treaty. The matter had been placed under the control of
Gen. Cass. John Sears of NeAV l ork, was appointed teacher
for the Ottawas ; and Mr. McCoy was authorized to appoint a
blacksmith for the. Ottawas and the Pottawatomies.
A full set of instructions from Gen. Cass was given. The
condensed purport of them is :
1. Give the Indians, young and old, such instructions as
are suited to their condition.
2. Wean them from their allegiance to any other govern
ment, and try to attach them to the United States.

300 MEMORIALS OF THE
3. Contend against whisky.
4. Watch the traders.
5. Encourage agriculture.
6. Show the Indians the best way to spend their income.
7. In general, work for the good of the Indians.
Gen. Cass commissioned Charles C. Trowbridge to make
definite arrangements with the Indians for the sites of the
mission stations. The site for the Pottawatomies was fixed at
St. Joseph River. Mr. McCoy moved part of his family and
some of his pupils from Ft. Wayne, October 19th, 1822.
The location Avas 100 miles from Ft. Wayne, where were the
nearest white inhabitants; 180 from any white settlement,
and 190 from any flouring mill. The Pottawatomies' station
was called by the Board "Cary," and the Ottawa station,
" Thomas," in honor of those missionaries in Hindostan.
The first winter was intensely cold. On the 26th of' May,
1823, McCoy started for Grand River, taking with him a
Frenchman named Paget, for pilot, and one of his Indian
pupils. In December, 1824, a blacksmith and two laborers
were sent to the " Thomas " station. Supplies were sent on
during the Avinter. At the same time evil-disposed people
tried to break up the mission. In 1825, the mission fairly
commenced. The material for tracing the early history of the mission is
very deficient. . No full account of it was kept by Mr. Slater,
and Ave have only his journals, and the recollection of some
persons who had but a secondary interest. What has pre
ceded is, in substance, gathered from some articles, written
by Geo. Torrey, Esq., of Kalamazoo, several years since, and
published in the Grand River Eagle. What follows is
gathered from the journals of Mr. Slater, or from his daughter,
Mrs. St. John, of Kalamazoo.
At first the Mission was a Government Station, teacher and
blacksmith being located there. In Slater's journals mention •
is made of Mr. and Mrs. Potts, as teachers who assisted Mr.
Slater at Thomas Station. Mr. Slater's position was that of
teacher. McCoy seems to have had the general superintend
ence. McCoy, with a part of the Ottawas, moved west of the
Mississippi, after which Slater appears to have been the head

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 301
of the Mission. Mention is made of the Rev. Jno. Booth,
who came from Pontiac; but how long he stayed we are
not informed.
A school of about forty was kept up during the time
the Indians were at home, and a church was gathered of
about thirty members, conspicuous among whom was the noble
old chief Noon-Day.
The first blacksmith bore the name of Secord, who did not
stay a great while, and who simply left the common record of
a drunkard. In 1832 we find the name of a blacksmith, P. F.
Chubb. Afterwards there was another— K. Rush.
Mr. Potts and wife remained until 1833, when two teachers
from Augusta, Me., came on, — Miss Day and Miss Bond.
Miss Day left soon, on account of ill health. Miss Bond, a'
year or two after, married Francis Prescott, afterAvards a Baptist
preacher, well known in Kent county. She died soon, leaving
one daughter, whose monument is in Fulton street cemetery,
as the wife of Jerome Gouldsbury.
Mr. Slater made himself familiar with the language of the
Indians, at first with an interpreter. In the school, English
books were used. Under Mr. S. the New Testament was
printed for the Ottawas; by whom translated, we are not
informed. The relation of Messrs. Slater and McCoy was not
harmonious, and upon the retirement of McCoy, Mr. S. had
various things to contend against — whisky, Catholic influence,
etc. The result was, he, and his adherents, in 1839, removed
to Prairieville, Barry county, where the Mission was main
tained for some twenty years.
It is not Avithin the scope of this work to follow the Mission
after it left the Grand Rapids Valley. It was for a few years
the nucleus of civilization— the school and the church at the
Rapids; and leaving, its legacy was a disputed title to the
property on the west side of Grand River, below Bridge street,
commonly called the "Mission Lands."
The devoted and single hearted missionery died without the
satisfaction of feeling that his life-work had been a success.
This gentleman, otherwise mentioned as the pioneer of civ
ilization at the Mission Station at Grand Rapids, was born at
Worcester, Mass., November 16, 1802. His father was Capt.

302 MEMORIALS OF THE
Pela Slater, one of the " Indians " who threw overboard the
tea in Boston harbor. Leonard S. received a common school.
education at Worcester, and Avas in the business of rope-mak
ing with his father. When about 20 years of age he devoted
himself as a missionary to the Indians in the West, and
studied, preparatory to that, under Jonathan Going, D. D.
In May, 1826, he married Miss Mary F. Ide, and they to
gether started from Worcester, August 17th, and arrived at
Cary Station (Niles), September 27th. The date of his arri
val at Grand Rapids is now uncertain. He had charge of the
Thomas Station at that place, and there remained until the
autumn of 1836, when, disliking the influences brought to
bear upon the Indians, he removed, with such as adhered to
him, to the township of Prairieville, in Barry county, where,
under every discouragement, he labored until he resigned his
appointment as missionary in 1850 — his band being scattered.
In 1832 he was postmaster at Grand Rapids — mail once a
month. Giving up the life of a missionary, he became an active busi
ness man. In 1863, he became connected with the Christian
commission, and went to Nashville, Avhere he contracted the
disease— chronic diarrhoea — from which he never recovered.
He died April 27th, 1866, aud at his own request was buried
near the place where, 40 years before he encamped, when on
his way from the East to the Cary Mission.
Mrs. Slater, his efficient co-worker in all his missionary
labors, died in 1850.
Mr. Slater was a man of ardent temperament and strong
affections, strongly devoted to his work as a missionary.
With rather a fragile constitution, he labored intensely and un-
weariedly, combining in his character the ardent Christian
teacher and careful business man ; two characters seldom united.
Four children Avere born to him at Grand Rapids:
1. Sarah Emily (Mrs. St. John, of Kalamazoo), Aug. 12th,
1827. 2. George, Feb. 9th, 1829. 3. Francis, Dec. 31st, 1832.
4. Brainard, Sept. 21st, 1835.
These were the first white children born in the Grand River
Valley.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 303

MILITARY.
The military history of the Grand River Valley is but a
fragment of the general history of the loyal part of the nation.
When the war cry was rung, men rushed to arms. The pulsa
tions of patriotism were strong. What Avere ease, property,
home, wife, children and friends, in comparison with the wel
fare of the country, " then in jeopardy?" Nothing
No part of the North responded more freely than Michigan.
Men were ready to volunteer, to endure the privations and
dangers of the camp, the inarch, the bivouac and the battle.
Where money was wanting, it AVas free. What cared men for
gold, when the nation Avas breaking to pieces? What cared
they for life? Those too old for the field, would bid the
younger go, telling them, "We will take care of your families."
Mothers, AArith tearful eyes, as they kissed their sons "good
bye," would charge them, as Spartan mothers did, to remember
they were men, fighting in a holy cause.
A thousand from this Valley never returned. The list that
follows shows, as far as we have been able to ascertain, where
the martyrs of freedom were laid to rest. The grave may be
a humble one, unmarked, or marked " unknown," but it is an
honored grave.
Would we could say, that all participated in this patriotic
feeling. But the shameful truth must be told; we had
amongst us those who sympathized with the spirit of the re
bellion, and joined in the infamous "fire in the rear." God
pity them!
And, must it be said, when in the dread extremity, the per
emptory eall was for men, there were a few — yes, just a few,
that to keep the worthless carcass they occupied and disgraced,
out of danger — -sneaked to Canada. There are many men,
who, with a noble pride will say: " My father died in the
war;" but we pity the one who is compelled to own his father

304 MEMORIALS OF THE
run from the draft. It may be the refugee to Canada does
not blush when he meets the crippled, war-worn soldier. Yes,
it may be. There are those who cannot blush.
The military history of the Grand River Valley cannot be
separated from that of the State. But this region has a more
particular interest in the 3d, 21st, 25th, and 26th Infantry; the
2d, 3d, 6th, 7th, and 10th Cavalry; the 2d, 3d, and 13th Bat
teries; and the Regiment of Engineers and Mechanics. Of
these, the 3d Infantry was more especially the pet of the Val
ley, being composed almost exclusively of men from the river
counties. The sketches of the history of the regiments which folloAV
are copied from the Adjutant General's Reports.
The list of the martyrs is partly from the same source. The
list as gathered from the State records, was published in the
county papers, Avith the invitation that any one interested
would make corrections or additions. Numerous corrections
and additions were made in Ionia and Kent counties; none in
Ottawa and Muskegon. The list is doubtless imperfect, al
though great pains have been taken to make it complete.
THE MARTYRS OF THE WAR.
IONIA COUNTY.
Joseph Antcliff; 25th I., Co. B. Chattanooga, Oct. 15, 1864.
James E. Aldrich; 21st I., Co. P. Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 20, 1862.
Kufus W. Aldrich; 21st I., Co. I. Lebanon, Ky., Oct. 15, 1862.
Martin M. Alger; 13th I., Co. Y. 1862.
Silas W. Adams; 21st I., Co. I. Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 29, 1862.
John Armstrong; 10th C, Co. G. Nashville, May 10, 1865.
Edwin Anway; 21st I., Co. I. Nashville, Jan. 9, 1863.
Hiram D. Austin; 6th C, Co. M. Fredericksburg, May 25, 1864.
Charles H. Adams; 21st I., Co. I. Nashville, Dec. 30, 1862.
Nathaniel Burt; 3d I., Co. D. Nashville, Feb. 8, 1865.
Clark Boxie; 21st I., Co., K. Detroit, April 15, 1865.
Joseph P. Bundy; 3d I., Co. E. Baltimore, July 4, 1862.
James W. Brown; 6th C, Co. E. Hawes' Shop, Va., March 28, 1864.
Charles Burnham; 10th C, Co. B. Holstein, R.f July 31, 1864.
Morris Brooks, 3d I., Co: C. Murfreesboro, January 2. 1865.
Geo. K. Bush; 14th I., Co. K. In hospital.
Francis M. Brown; 27th I., 2d Ind. Co. Hillsborough, March 12, 1864.
James M. Bradford; 16th I., Co. B. Annapolis, Feb. 17, 1865.
Leonard Brown; 15th I., Co. A. Little Rock, Ark., August 15, 1885.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 305
John M. Bird; 16th I., Co. K. In the field, Virginia, June 11, 1865.
Alonzo Blodgett, 21st I., Co. D. Lookout Mountain, August 25, 1864.
Hiram Brownell; 15th I., Co. I. Cincinnati, March 18, 1862.
Isaac Bowen; 15 I., Co. F. Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3, 1862.
Joseph M. Brown, 13th I., Co. F. At home, 1862.
Joseph Barber; 21st I., Co. D. Louisville, Nov. 28, 1862.
Richard J. Bishop; Mill Creek, Tennessee, Dec. 7, 1862. '
Thomas L. Barry; 21st I., Co. K. Nashville, Dec. 2, 1862.
Jerome Babcock; 21st I., Co. K. Danville, Ky., Nov. 28, 1862.
Wm. P. Barnes; 1st U. S. Sharpshooters. Philadelphia, Nov. 15, 1862.
Charles M. Benton; 25th I., Co. B. Louisville, Dec. 1, 1862.
Henry H. Bellaney; E. and M., Co. E. June 4, 1862.
Eh Brink; E. and M., Co. E. March 3, 1862.
Abner Brockway; 21st I., Co. I. Savannah, Dec. 23, 1864.
Edward E. Belding; 16th I., Co. B. Harrison's Landing, July 18, 1862.
James Bosser; 14th I., Co. H. Ypsilanti, Mich., March 24, 1862.
Henry Bower; 1st C, Co. F. Washington, Aug. 26, 1862.
Solomon D. Briggs; 27th I., 2d Ind. Co. Annapolis, Nov. 5, 1864.
John K. Byres; 9th I.. Co. H. West Pt., Ky., 1872.
Abner K. Butler, 1st C, Co. F. Middletown, Ky., March 24, 1862.
Thomas Bellows; 8th I., Co. D. Falmouth, Dec. 9, 1862.
Geo. W. Bernard; 6th C, Co. M. Andersonville, Oct. 1, 1964.
Valentine Borden; 10th C, Co. G. Knoxville.
William Borden.
Lyman Bonney.
Thomas Benedict; 10th C, Co. H. Nashville, July 4, 1865.
Benj. F. Bartlett, 21st I., Co. A. Louisville, Feb. 2. 1863.
DeForest A. Bowerman; 21st L, Co. K. Nashville, Dec. 28, 1862.
Albert Babcock; 21st I., Co. K. Nashville, July 20, 1863.
William Burt; 21st I., Co. K. Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 16, 1863.
John Briggs; 6th C, Co. E. Andersonville, June 25, 1864.
Wm. Bradish, 16th I., Co. C. Beverly Ford, Va., Sept. 16, 1862.
Richard Bartlett; I6th I., Co. B. Gettysburg, July 1, 1863.
Eli Benton; 16th I., Co. B. Salisbury, N. C, 1864.
Doctor B. Bradley; 16th L, Co. B. Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862.
Alphonzo D. Cheney; 21st I., Co. A. Chicamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
John Coffin; 2nd I., Co. K. Alexandria, Aug. 22, 1864.
Wm. W. Cooper; 16th I., Co. B. Gaines' Mills, Va., June 27, 1862.
Justin A. Carver; E. and M., Co. I. New York, March 16, 1865.
Joseph B. Cross; 21st L, Co. D. Chicamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
Ezenor Champion; 21st I., Co. G. New York, March 13, 1865.
Jason Currier; E. and M., Co. E„ New York, April 8, 1865.
Horace E. Church; 26th I., Co. I. Jan. 16, 1864.
Josiah Converse; E. and M., Co. E. New Albany, Ind., Nov. 7, 1862.
Charles Clark; 16th I., Co. B. Camp Backus, Mich., Aug. 29, 1861.
John Connolly; 8th I., Co. D. James Island, S. C, June 16, 1862.
Jesse I. Crapo; 3d I., Co. E. Fair Oaks.
Martin F. Clyse; 3d I., Co. D. Alexandria, Va., March 19, 1862.
20

306 MEMORIALS OE THE
Byron Cronkite; 3d C, Co. D. St. Louis, Jan. 11, 1862.
Edward Chrisgin; 21st I., Co. H. Lookout Mountain, Oct. 5, 1864.
Silas A. Carr; 21st I., Co. C. Indianapolis, Sept. 13, 1864.
Samuel H. Coe; E. and M., Co. E. Bridgeport, Ala., June 11, 1864.
Thomas L. Cornell; E. and M., Co. E. Bridgeport, June 4, 1864.
Seth Cary; 6th C, Co. E. Hawes' Shop, Va., May 28, 1.864.
Nelson H. Chase; 8th I., Co. B. Petersburgh, Va., July 4, 1864.
' Samuel Coon; E. and M., Co. K. Chattanooga, Aug. 20, 1864.
LaFayette Cusper; 10th C, Co. L. Grand Rapids, Nov. 8, 1863.
Franklin J. Carey; 27th I., Co. C. Bethesda, Va., June 3, 1864.
John M. Call; 3d I., Co. E. Alexandria, Va., Sept. 8, 1862.
Jchn W. Chapman; 21st I., Co. A. Perryville, Ky., Nov. 20, 1862.
James S. Colby; 27th I., Co. K. Washington, June 21, 1864.
Stephen Cole; 7th I., Co. K. Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
Darius Childs; 21st I., Co. I. Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 17, 1862.
Samuel H. Cross, 21st I., Co D. Bowling Green, Nov. 25, 1862.
Walter J. Crawford; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville, Dec. 27, 1862.
Ebenezer Chase; 21st I., Co. A. Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 8, 1862.
William Cummings; 15th I., Co. F. June 18, 1862.
Solomon D. Clark; 27th I., Co. E. Portland, Mich.
Peter A. Carrer; 21st I., Co. K.
Samuel Can-; 10th C, Co. H. Detroit, Sept. 12, 1865.
Albert D. Colby: 10th C, Co. G. Camp Nelson, Ky., March 23, 1865.
Hail B. Clark; 3d I., Co. D. Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863.
Leman Clark: 21st I., Co. A. Nashville, Jan. 31, 1863.
Hector Chubb; 21st I., Co. D. Louisville, Jan. 21, 1863.
Robert W. Courter; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville, June 10, 1863.
David Clark; 21st I., Co. K. Louisville, Dec, 1862.
Samuel Cornell; 7th C, Co. I. Ft. Leavenworth, June 22, 1865.
Henry Durker; E. & M., Co E. N. Y., May 8, 1865.
Virgil F. Davis; 27th I. Petersburg, Vt.
Eldron W Dunham; E. & M., Co. E. Elk River, Tenn., Dec. 15, 1864.
Louis F. Dolphine; E. & M., Co. E. Jeffersonville, Jan. 25, 1864.
Martin D. Davidson; 9th I., Co. D. ' Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 9, 1862.
A. Decker; 6th C. Co. E. Yellow Tavern, Va., March 12, 1864..
James R. Davis; 27th I., 2d Ind. Co. Washington, March 3, 1864.
Arza E. Dibble; 25th I., Co. B. Evansville, Ind., August 13, 1863.
Samuel Dupee; 25th I., Co. E. Louisville, Jan. 25, 1863.
Albert Dexter; 3d C, Co. D. Ripley, Miss., Dec. 1, 1863.
Nelson Doty; 21st I., Co. A. Perryville, Oct. 8, .1862.
William V. Davis; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville, Dec. 27, 1862.
Ephraim Downer; 21st I., Co. A. Louisville, 1862.
Jasper Davis; 27th I., Sharp Shooters. Washington, June 10, 1864.
Nathaniel Davenport; 29th L, Co. I. Alexandria, V"a., August 30, 1863.
W H. Dalrymple; 10th C, Co. B. In Rebel prison, Jan., 1865.
Ozial Davis; 27th I., Sharp Shooters. Petersburg, June 17, 1864.
James F. Drake; 3d I., Co. E. Washington,- Sept. 13, 1862. ¦ .: :v. l.
Sylvanus R. Drently; 3d 1.,'Co. E. Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 10, 1865.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 307
Lorenzo Demoary; 2d C, Co. F. Winchester, Tenn., April 5, 1865.
Josiah Dean; 9th I., Co. F. Chattanooga, May 6, 1864.
Martin Eckhart; 3d I., Co. D. Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 4, 1865.
David S. Ekchart; 2d C, Co. I. Memphis. April 18, 1863.
Jason A. Elliott; 3d I., Co. C. San Antonia, Texas, Dec. 13, 1865.
James Edmeston; 21st I., Co. D. Danville, Va., Jan. 20, 1864.
H. Edwards; 6th C, Co. E. Yellow Tavern, Va.,.May 12, 1864.
David W. Emery; 7th I., Co. G. Philadelphia, June 30, 1862.
Wm. Enghsh; 15th I., Co. E. Corinth, June 17, 1862.
Charles J. Everest; 21st I., Co. A. Nashville, Nov. 22, 1862.
Wm. C. Estes; 3d I., Co. B., Fair Oaks.
Lyman C. Eastman; 10th C, Co. H. Nashville, May 26,. 1865.
John D. Everest; 13th I., Co. F. Nashville, Jan. 21, 1863.
Seth Edwards; 6th C, Co. E. Andersonville, Sept. 5, 1864.
Orrin Eddy; 21st I., Co. A. Bowling Green, Dec. 20, 1862.
Alfred Frasier; E. & M., Co. E. Goldsborough, Tenn., Dec. 15, 1864.
Garrett Finn; 13th I., Co. D. Ringold, Ga., Feb. 28, 1865.
Bermont Fuller; 3d C, Co. D. St. Louis, March 31, 1862.
John Frederick; E. & M., Co. K. Ringold, July 1, 1864.
George F. Fargo; 3d I., Co. D. Camp, Va., March 15, 1864.
Gardner C. Freeman; 3d C, Co. D. Juka, Miss., Sept. 7, 1862.
Thomas Farrill; 6th C, Co. M. Harper's Ferry, Aug. 17, 1864.
Samuel Freehouse, 16th I., Co. B. Oct. 11, 1862.
Wm. H. Frefield, 2d. C, Co. C. Shoal Creek, Md., Nov. 5, 1864.
Austin O. Fish, 7th C, Co. I. Harper's Ferry, April 18, 1865.
Isaac L. Fickes; 21st I., Co. A. Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 10, 1863.
Albert S. Faxon; 9th I., Co. D. Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 20, 1863.
Munson Granger; 5th I., Co. A. Alexandria, Va., May 10, 1864.
William Gee; 8th I., Co. B. Petersburg, Dec. 14, 1864.
James W. Green; 3d C, Co. D. Keene, Mich., Dec. 1, 1861.
John M. Gold; 2lst I., Co. D. Newbern, N. C, April 6, 1865,
Oliver Gardner; 5th I., Co. F. June, 1864.
Charles K. Green; E. & M., Co. K. Chattanooga, June 13, 1864.
Charles O. Gage; E. & M., Co. C. Chattanooga, March 15, 1864.
Wm. G. Green; 2d L, Co. B. July 18, 1864.
Charles Gross; 6th C, Co. M. Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864.
A. C. Godfrey; 26th I., Co. I. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Munson P. Green; 8th I., Co. B. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Sullivan Gaines; 2d C, Co. M. , Knoxville, Feb. 2, 1864,
Erastus Goff; 27th I., Sharp-shooters. Washington, July 22, 1864.
Albert Gibbs; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville, Dec. 13, 1862.
Willis R. Griffin ; 9th I., Co. D. Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 2, 1862.
Elmon Greely; 3d I., Co. E. Fair Oaks.
Edward Goodanough; 3d C, Co. I. Hamburg, Tenn., May 26, 1862.
Nelson G. Grommond; 3d L, Co. D. Killed by accident, Jan. 6, 1863.
Henry Greenhoe; 21st I., Co. D.f;.., Murfreesboro, Tenn,, Augu5, 1863.
James Gray; 6th C, Co. E. Andersonville, Oct, 23, 1864. '
Martin L. Grepnj 2$foL, Co. Bs Bowling, Gtrfeen J May 15, 1863.

308 MEMORIALS OF THE
Chris. Greenhoe; 21st I., Co. D. Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 27, 1863.
Seth W. Guernsey; 21st I., Co. K. Nashville, Feb. 17, 1863.
Russell Hoyt; 21st I., Co. B. Florence, S. C, Jan. 31, 1864.
Josephs. Howarth; Washington, Oct. 28, 1861.
David Houseman ;
Miles E. Huchinson; 6th Cav.
Henry M. Hinman; 3d C, Co. D. Keokuk, Towa.
Benj. F. Hammond; 5th I., Co. F. June, 1864.
James H. Hall; E. & M., Co. G. Ringold, Ga., July 7, 1864.
Geo. Henderleider; E. & M„ Co. E. Nashville, Jan. 10, 1864.
Adams B. Hawley; 3d C, Co. D. Arkansas, July 9, 1864.
Charles Hogles; 11th C, Co. C. Lexington, 1861.
Don A. Hubbell; 10th C, Co. G. Camp Nelson, Ky., March 6, 1864,
Warren Hopkins; 6th C, Co. E. Andersonville Prison, July 12, 1864.
William Hyler; 26th I., Co. I. Deep Bottom, Va., July 27, 1864.
James R. Howell; 21st I., Co. K. Horse Cave, Ky., Nov. 16, 1862.
Harvey H. Haight; 21st I., Co. A. Louisville, Nov. 27, 1862.
Harvey N. Howes; 21st I., Co. D. Ionia, Sept. 18, 1862.
James Henderson; 21st I., Co. D. Bardstown, Ky., Dec. 5, 1862.
Frank Hall; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville, Nov. 30, 1862.
Sylvanus Hall; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville, 1862.
Robert Henderson; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville. Nov. 15, 1862.
Norton B. Hathaway; 13th L, Co. F. At home, 1862.
Geo. Husker; 9th I., Co. D. W. Point, Ky., Nov. 15, 1862.
Jacob N. Houseman; - 9fch I., Co. D. Murfreesboro, Tenn., June 4, 1862.
T. I. Hoffman; 15th I., Co. D. Shiloh, April 6, 1862.
Joseph Heaton; 21st I., Co. E. North Anna, May 24, 1864.
Hiram S. Hunt; 9th I., Co. H. Chattanooga, March 6, 1864.
William Hall; E. and M., Co. K. Alex, Va., May 10th, 1865.
Albert Hopkins; 10th C, Co. I. Lenoir, Tenn., June 25th, 1865.
Henry N. Howes; 21st I., Co. E. Ionia, Sept. 18th, 1862.
Charles Hinds; 2d I., Co. G. June 2d, 1864, of wounds.
Alfred F. Hunt; 9th I., Co. D. Nash., Dec. 9th, 1864.
York C. Hathaway; 13th Inf. Chattanooga, Oct. 7th, 1863.
Edward A. Hawley; 15th I., Co. A. January 25th, 1865.
Milo A. Hubbs; 3d C, Co. D. St. Louis, Jan. 4th, 1862.
James H. Henry; 21st I., Co. B. Dalton, Ga., Dec. 12th, 1864.
George W. Hopkins; 21st I., Co. B. Indianapolis, March 22d, 1865.
Charles Howe; 3d L, Co. E. Yorktown, 1862.
Daniel M. Horton; 3d I., Co. I. June 15th, 1862.
Nathaniel Hopkins; 6th C, Co. E. Andersonville, June 12th, 1864.
Wm. O. Hayes; 6th C, Co. C.
Isaac R. Hart; 6th C, Co. E. Andersonville, May 1st, 1864.
Asahel Hopkins; 6th C, Co. L. Winchester, Oct. 1st, 1864.
George Houser; 25th I., Co. B. Drowned, Loudon, Tenn., Oct. 22d, 1863.
John Howell; 10th C, Co. B. Michigan.
Henry C. Hubbs; 21st I., Co. A.
Artemas Hinds; 21st I., Co. K. Nashville, May 21st, 1863.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 309
Joseph Hopkins; 21st I., Co. B. Louisville, Dec. 24th, 1862.
John P. Ingalls; 25th I., Co. B. March 19th, 1863.
Darius H. Inman; 21st I., Co. A. Nashville, Nov. 24th, 1862.
Wm. W. Johnson; 21st I., Co. D. Chattanooga, Oct. 12th, 1863.
Americ Joslyn; 15th I., Co. B. Louisville, Nov. 14th, 1862.
Marshall King; 25th I., Co. B. Nashville, May 30th, 1864.
George Kingston; 21st I., Co. D. Bowling Green, Nov. 20th, 1862.
Edward Kennett ; 16th I., Co. B. Halls Hill, Va., Nov. 5th, 1861.
Alexander H. King; 21st I., Co. A. Cowan, Tenn., July 21st, 1863.
John W. Kellogg; 15th I., Co. D. Corinth, July 9fch, 1862.
William Kibby; 21st L, Co. A. Louisville, January 6th, 1863.
George Kiniberly.
Peter Lampman; 2d I., Co. F. Willard's Point, N. Y., Dec. 14th, 1864.
Thaddeus Lamourandere; 1st Sharp Shooters. Spottsylvania, May 12th,
1864.
Edgar S. Lewis; 21st I., Co. I. Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 20th, 1862.
Elias Lillie; 21st I., Co. I. Lebanon, Ky. Nov. 20th, 1862.
Ashley Leet; 9th I., Co. H. W. Point, Ky., 1862.
John Lamoreau; 21st I., Co. K. Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 25th, 1863.
Archibald Lowrey; 21st I., Co. I. Nashville, Tenn., March 21st, 1863.
Isaac Lovell; 25th I., Co. B. Atlanta, August 6th, 1864.
William Munn; 24th I., Co. A. Washington, Oct. 4th, 1864.
George H. March; 3d I., Co. E. Graveton, Va., August 29th, 1862.
Peter Mapes; 2d I., Co. K. June 18th, 1864, of wounds.
Nelson G. Merrill; 21st I., Co. A. Stone RiA-er, Dec. 31st, 1862.
George Morrison; 3d I., Co. C. Nash., March 30th, 1865.
Charles A. Mills; 3d C, Co. D. On steamer, May 11th, 1862.
John Mott; E. and M., Co. F. Detroit, June 11th, 1864.
James McNiel; 2d C, Co. C. Nash., July 15th, 1864.
Frederick Miry; 10th C, Co. B. Somerset, Ky., Feb. 24th, 1864.
HermonMore; 25th I., Co. B. August 1st, 1864.
Edwin McLain; 25th I., Co. B. Red Clay, Ga., May 6th, 1864.
Charles R. Moseby; 27th I., Co. K. Spottsylvania, Va., May 12th, 1864.
Joseph Mosher; 3d I., Co. E. Washington, July 20th, 1862.
George Mills; 3d I., Co. E. July 20th, 1861.
Lennis Miller; 21st I., Co. A. Louisville, Nov. 21st, 1862.
Oliver Mowry; 21st L, Co. I. Bowling Green, Dec. 20th, 1862.
Robert Morse; 21st I., Co. I. Stone River, Dec. 31st, 1862.
Charles A. Mooney; 21st I., Co. I. Lebanon, Ky., Oct. 26th, 1862
Francis M. Mather; 21st I., Co. I. Detroit, Oct. 17th, 1862.
Jason Mills; 9th I., Co. D. West Point, Ky., Dec. 9th, 1861.
Alexander Marcy; 11th I., Co. H. Chattanooga, April 1st, 1865.
Edward Mallory; 3d I., Co. C. Murfreesboro, Tenn-, Dec. 28th, 1865.
William Monroe; 3d I., Co. K. Washington, May 8th, 1863.
Samuel E. Messer; 16th I., Co. H. Gaines Hill, June 27th, 1862.
Newcomb G. Marcy; 27th I., 1st Ind. Co. Washington, June 13th, 1864.
Frank Mosier; 10th C, Co. I. Knoxville, April 15th, 1865.
Wm. H. H- Moore; 10th C, Co. G. Somerset, Ky.

310 MEMORIALS OF THE
AmherstB. Millmme; E. andM., Co. C. Alexandria, Va., May 12th, 1865.
Thomas McBride; 8th I., Co. B. Milldale, Miss., July 29th, 1863.
John Moore; 21st I., Co. A. Nashville, January 3d, 1863.
Geo. W. Merchant; 6th C, Co. E. Fredericksburg, May 28th, 1864.
Aaron I. Miller; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville, March 23d 1863.
Frederick Neidart; 21st I., Co. D. Chattanooga, April 16th, 1864.
Elisha North; E. and M., Co. E. Bridgeport, Ala., June 2d, 1864.
Adna Nelson; 16th I., Co. H. Gaines Hill, June 27th 1862.
Warren Owen; 2d I., Co. K. Philadelphia, June 4th, 1865.
John A. Owen; 16th I., Co. H. Petersburg, June 20th, 1864.
George Orcott; 1st C, Co. F. Frederick, Md., January 30th, 1862.
Isaac A. Owen; 3d I., Co. E. Fair Oaks.
Jedediah E. Osburn; 6th C, Co. E. Andersonville, November 13th, 1864.
John C. Parcell; 3d I., Co. C. Huntsville, Ala., February 28th, 1865.
Daniel Podruff; 13th I., Co. C. In prison.
Wm. J. Powell; 21st L, Co. D. Chicamauga, September 20th, 1863.
George F. Preston; 21st I., Co. D. Bowling Green, November 16th, 1862.
James Pettingill; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville, November 17th, 1862.
John Podruff; 13th I., Co. 0. Louisville, March 8th, 1862.
Wm. L. Plant; 9th I., Co. D. West Point, Ky., November 23d, 1861.
Theophilus Prosser; 27th 1., Co. K. City Point, Va., December 1st, 1864.
Russell B. Parmenter; 21st I., Co. A. Nashville, January 2d, 1863.
Cyrus Persons; 21st I., Co. A. Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 16th, 1863.
Charles Rich; 21st I., Co. K. Nashville, Feb. 28, 1863.
John Rawson; 21st I., Co. K. Supposed dead.
Corydon L. Robbinson 2nd I., Co. G. Washington, 1864.
D. Rider; 2nd I., Co. A. In Michigan, June, 1864.
Martin Robins; 2nd I., Co., A. In Michigan, June, 1864.
Wm. H. Robinson; 6th C, Co. E. Washington, March 6, 1863.
Alex. Robertson; 8th I., Co. B. Petersburg, July, 5, 1864.
B. Ryder; 27th I., 2nd Ind. Co. Annapolis, Sept. 9, 1864.
Hiram Raymond; 8th I., Co. B. Grand Rapids, Sept. 21, 1861.
Ives Ransom; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville, Dec. 3, 1862.
Henry C. Rice; 9th I., Co. D. Shelbyville, June 7, 1862.
Joseph Robinson; 10th C, Co. A. Somerset, Feb., 1864.
Charles H. Rhodes; 3d I., Co. E. Fair Oaks.
John Rihem; 21st I., Co. K. Rolling Fork, Oct. 24, 1862.
Orrin A. Reed; 21st I., Co. K. Camp Bradley, Jan. 31, 1863.
Moses M. Robins; 3d I., Co. D. Philadelphia, April 2, 1863.
Myron S. Robinson, 21st I., Co. D. Lookout Mountain, Oct. 5, 1864.
Marshall T. Ranger; 16th I., Co. B. North Anna, May 26, 1864.
Randall D. Stockings; 13th Battery. Washington, Nov. 6, 1864.
James Stinson; 21st I., Co. D. Greenwich Station, O., Dec. 23, 1864.
August Schmidt; 3d I., Co. C. Washington, Dec. 1, 1862.
Thomas L. Steele; 21st I., Co. A. Bentonville, N. C, March 19, 1865.
Nathan C. Sessions; 9th I., Co. D. Chattanooga, Tenn., Feb. 12, 1864.
Thomas Smith; 27th I., Co. E. Petersburg, Feb. 3, 1865.
Ebenezer F. Smith, Jr.; 9th I., Co. D. Portland, Mich., Sept. 29, 1862

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 311
JohnF. Simpson; 7th C, Co. M. Morton's Ford., Va., Dec. 28, 1863.
Geo. Slocum, 3d L, Co. D. (of wounds). Nov. 1, 1862.
Geo. Stewart; 27th I., Co. H. Petersburg, Dec. 26, 1864.
Jacob Sperry; 27th I., 2nd Ind. Co. Aug., 1864.
George Shaw; 27th I., 2nd Ind. Co. Annapolis.
Wm. T. Scar; 21st I., Co. I. Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Major Shute; 21st I., Co. I. Nashville, Dec. 2, 1862.
Wheeler I. Smith; 21st I., Co. K. Nashville, Nov. 18, 1862.
Henry Sinkey; 16th I., Co. H. Har. Landing, July28, 1862.'
John Sweet; 9th I., Co. H. West Point, Ky., 1862.
Harrison Snyder; 15th I., Co. F. April 18, 1862.
Charles Sweet; 9th I., Co. H. West Point, Ky., 1852.
Charles Sexton; 9th I., Co. H. Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1862.
James 0. Sliter; 6th C, Co. E.
Johnson Sutton; 9th I. Co. D. Elizabethtown, Ky., Feb. 27, 1862.
Wm. Starkey; 21st L, Co. D. Louisville, Ky., Feb. 27, 1863.
Geo. Sargeant; 14th I., Co. F. Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 4, 1863.
John A Tompkins; 5th I., Co. A. In prison, S. C.
Francis Thompson; 14th I., Co. B. Jeffersonville, Ind., Feb. 5, 1865.
Albert Trowbridge.
Eugene Thompson; 16th I., Co. B. Wilderness, May 6, 1864.
Homer Tinno; 6th C, Co. E. Alexandria, Va. Nov. 12, 1864.
Richard M. Tower; 16th I., Co. B. Fort Monroe, Sept. 15, 1862.
Albert Truax; 6th C, Co. E. Washington, Feb. 12, 1864.
Ira G. Turner; 3d I., Co. B. Nov. 28, 1861.
Sherbourne H. Todd; 21st I., Co. I. Gallatin, Tenn., Jan. 17, 1863.
Emery Tuttle; 16th L, Co. B. Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Reuben Tower; 3d I., Co. K. Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Peter Van Doran; 21st I.,- Co. D- Nashville, December 26, 1862.
Mason Vosper; 2d I., Co. E. Petersburg, August 19, 1866.
Geo. Varnuin; 9th I., Co. D. Elizabethtown, Ky., March 19, 1862.
Erastus C. Vandyke; 21st I., Co. A. Louisville, Dec. 23, 1862.
Peter S. Vanderhoe; 21st I., Co. D. Nashville, Dec. 26, 1862.
H. P. Van Alstine; 21st I., Co. I. Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
James E. Witt; 2d I., Co. H. Washington, October 20, 1864.
Samuel D. Wells; 27th I., Co. B.
William Wright; 16th I., Co. B. Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862.
Wm. J. Woolley; 21st I., Co. B. Chattanooga, March 16, 1865 .
George W. Winters; 21st I., Co. K. Louisville, October 4, 1863.
Benj. F. Wait; 2d Ind. Co. City Point, Va., September 18, 1864.
Alonzo L. White; 8th C, Co. G. March 15, 1862.
Martin V. B. Wilmarth; 3clC, Co. D. Rienzi; no date.
Charles H. West; 3d I., Co D. David's I., N. Y., September 22, 1862.
Peter West; 15th I., Co. F. Benton Barracks, Mo, June 11, 1862.
John L. Wood- 21st I., Co. A. Louisville, November 23, 1862.
Cornelius M. Wade; 21st L, Co. A. Louisville, November 23, 1862.
Bates McWethey; 21st I., Co. I. Bowling Green, November 16, 1S62.
Kufus Wright; 15th I., Co. F. St. Louis, May 15, 1862.

31,2 MEMORIALS OF THE
Ira Wheeler; 9th I., Co. H. West Point, Ky., 1862.
Charles Wright; 9th L, Co. H. West Point, 1862.
James Winters; 9th I., Co. D. West Point, November 13, 1861.
Wm. Wilson; 9th I., Co. D. West Point, February 17, 1862.
Caleb F. Weaver; 2d C, Co. F . Cowan, Tenn., October 6, 1863.
Robert Winksworth; 6th C, Co. E. Andersonville, February 2, 1865.
Henry H. Wing; E. and M., Co. C. Nashville, July 12, 1864.
John A. Wright; 25th I., Co. B. Bowling Green, March 5, 1863.
John D. Wade; 3d I., Co. D. Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Harvey C. Wilder; 6th C, Co. E. August 15, 1863.
Hiram Wilder; 13th I., Co. C. David's I., N. Y., May 16, 1865.
James R. Wright; 21st I., Co. K. New York city, Februaiy 1, 1865.
John York, Jr. ; 21st I., Co. D. Ionia, March 20, 1865.
George Younger; 3d C, Co. D. Brownsville, Ark., October 8, 1864.
Oliver York; 21st I., Co. D. Bowling Green, November 15, 1862.
KENT COUNTY.
Hezekiah Aickly; 5th C, Co. B. Stsvensburg, Va., April 12, 1864.
James Andrews; 6th C, Co. H. Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864.
Henry L. Arnold; 10th C, Co. E. Somerset, Ky., Feb. 9, 1864.
George Ames; 5th I., Co. E. March 23, 1865.
Silas Aldrich; 25th I., Co. B. Bowling Green, April 8, 1863.
Richard Alcott; 1st C, Co. L. Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862.
Orlin A. Andrews; 3d I., Co. K. Yorktown, Aug. 19, 1862.
Benj. A. Austin; 3d I., Co. F. Seven Pines, May 31, 1862.
Chandler Andrews; 3d I., Co. K. Harper's Landing, Aug. 2, 1862.
James G. Bateman; 21st L, Co. I. Nashville, Jan. 27, 1863.
Ira C. Baxter; 21st I., Co. I. Chickamauga, Tenn., Sept. 20, 1863.
Charles E. Barr; 21st I., Co. B. Nashville, May 2, 1864.
Geo. H. Barnes; 21st I., Co. B. Nashville, April 17, 1863.
James Brown, 14th I., Co. B. Columbia, Tenn., Jan. 1, 1864.
James Bruce; 3d I., Co. A. Wilderness, May 8, 1864.
John Baird; E. & M., Co. C. Chattanooga, June 8, 1864.
Albert Brown, 1st Lieut.; Artillery, Co. L. Kentucky, March 1, 1864
Abraham Bishop; 5th C, Co. B. Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864.
S. Benson; 7th C, Co. L. Alexandria, Va., Nov. 20, 1863.
Wm. F. Bates; 7th C, Co. L. Sept., 1864.
Wm. F. Brockway; 6th C, Co. H. Middletown, Va., Oct. 19, 1833.
Theophilus B. Baxter; 2d C, Co. F. Knoxville, April, 1864.
Austin Bates; 2d C, Co. F. Jackson, Tenn., 1864.
Jutson D. Bailey; 2d C, Co. E. St. Louis, Feb. 10, 1862.
John Bain; 2d C, Co. D. St. Louis, April 10, 1862.
Loren C. Bingham; 9th I., Co. C. April 7, 1865.
Simeon Bush; 10th C, Co. M. Camp Nelson, Va., March 17, 1865.
M. Bullis; 6th C, Co. M. Harper's Ferry, April 25, 1865.
Wm. H. Briggs; 21st I., Co. F. Nashville, April 22.
Hiram Blood; 3d I., Co. I. Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
Charles H. Brown; 21st I., Co. E. April 14, 1863.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 313
Alonzo Blackmore; 6th C, Co. H. Washington, May 21, 1863.
James Bement; 1st Lieut., Art. Kentucky, July 14, 1863.
Robert Bell; 6th C, Co. H. Culpepper, Sept. 22, 1863.
Truman J. Bacon; 6th C, Co. F. Falling Waters, July 14, 1863.
Charles B. Burness; 3d I., Co. A. Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Amos Bessey; 2d Battery. Pittsburg Landing, April 30, 1862.
Wm. M. Brockway; 6th C, Co. H. Raccoon Ford, Va., Sept. 16, 1863.
Alvin Briggs; 26th I., Co. I. Washington, June 30, 1864.
Charles Balsaw; 6th C, Co. B. Falling Waters, July 14, 1863.
Charles E. Buck; 18th I., Co. C. Decatur, Ala., August 20, 1864.
Wm. F. Brockway; 6th C, Co. H. Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864.
E. Butler; 6th C, Co. M. City Pt„ Va., August 12, 1864.
George Bryant; 6th C, Co. H. Andersonville, June 19, 1864.
Joseph Berry; 25th I., Co. B. Nashville, December 15, 1864.
Oscar Bylsma; 21st I., Co. H. Nashville, Dec. 15, 1862.
Lorenzo Buckley; 2dC, Co. F. Keokuk, Mareh 18, 1863.
Moses H. Black; 25th I., Co. B. Centerville, Nov. 27, 1864.
William N. Barnard; 13th I., Co. C. Dunlap, Tenn., August 23, 1863.
James Blackall; 21st L, Co. B. Fayetteville, N. C, March 13, 1865.
Jonathan Bailey; E. & M., Co. B. Washington, June 14, 1865.
Edwards Butters; 6th C, Co. M. Trevillion, Va., June 11, 1864.
Andrew Barber; 3d I., Co. D. Portsmouth Hosp., Sept. 22, 1862.
Theodore Bloomis; 21st I., Co. E. Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Alonzo S. Berry; 3d I., Co. A. Huntsville, Ala., March 3, 1865.
Marcus H. Barclay: 16th I., Co. I.'
Henry A. Bennett; 14th L, Co. F. Cincinnati, Ohio, August 6, 1862.
Henry Beach; 13th L, Co. C. Nashville, August 2, 1862.
Jacob Beasler; 1st C, Co. L. Nov. 21, 1863.
Barnett Burt, E. & M., Co. I. Nashville, May 21, 1862,
Charles A. Bailey; 8th I. Wilmington, April 16, 1862.
Charles Bloss; 8th I., Co. F. Hilton Head, Nov. 26, 1862.
Henry C. Burhame; 2d C, Co. B. Farmington, Miss., July 14, 1862.
JutsonD. Bailey; 2d C, Co. E. Benton Bar, Feb. 20, 1862.
Rufus W. Bliss; 2d C, Co. E. Jan. 24, 1862.
Henry P. Beckwith; 3d I., Co. K. Groveton, Va., 1862.
Emir A. Bell; 3d I., Co. F. Groveton, Va., August 29, 1862.
Cyrus W. Bullen; 3d I., Co. K. Groveton, 1862.
Charles Browman; 4th C, Co. H. Andersonville, June 20, 1864.
Daniel Bugel; 3d L, Co. F. Groveton, August 29, 1862.
George H. Barker; E. & M., Co. C. Covington, Ky., May 8, 1862.
Christian Behler; 2d C, Co. F. Commerce, Md.j. March, 1862.
Patrick Burns; 3d L, Co. D. Nashville, June 18, 1865.
Robert Bruton; 3d I., Co. D. New Market, Tenn., March 3, 1865.
Seth A. Boynton; 15th I., Co. A. St. Louis, May 1, 1862.
L. Byron Brewer; Lieut. Berdan's Sharp Shooters, Co. C. Chancellorsville,
May 3, 1863.
James Blackall; killed.
John Carroll; 14th I., Co. B. Rough and Ready, Ga., Sept. 7, 1865.

314: MEMORIALS OF THE
James Cowan; 1st Ind. Co. Laurel Hills, Va., May 11, 1864.
Josiah F. Clark; 13th I., Co. C. Chattanooga, Tenn. Dec. 30, 1863.
Alonzo Case; 5th I., Co. F. Virginia, Oct. 27, 1864.
Thomas Conger; 5th I., Co. E. Washington, July 1, 1864.
Wm. L. Coughtry; 3d I., Co. B. Wildnerness, May 5, 1864.
A. H. Coon; 6th C, Co. A. Trevillion, Va., June 11, 1864.
A. I. Cathcart; 5th C, Co. B. Grand Rapids, July 6, 1864— of wounds.
David A. Cramer; 10th C, Co. E. Willsonville, Tenn., June 6, 1864.
Howard P. Church; 4th C, Co. H. Chattanooga, Tenn., Feb.l, 1864.
J. P. Clarke; 6th C. Co. F. July 30, 1864.
Amos C. Classon; 2d C:, Co. F. Nashville, March 8, 1864.
George Culver; 3d I., Co. K. Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
Henry W. Carpenter; 2d C, Co. F. Alexandria, Va., Jan. 11, 1864.
Isaac Camp; 10th C, Co. L. Kentucky, April 6, 1864.
Julius H. Clark; 10th C, Co. L. Cascade, Mich., April 25, 1864.
Abraham Cresfield; 2d C, Co. A.
Albert Clute. At home.
James Campbell; 2d C, Co. D. St. Louis, June 25, 1862.
Rufus Cheney; 2d C, Co. D. N. Madrid, Mo., April 12, 1862.
Alphonzo D. Cheney, 21st I., Co. A. Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
Julius O. Campbell; 21st I., Co. H. Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
Job. Carter; 21st I., Co. I. Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
Henry Camp; 10th I., Co. B. Washington, May 29, 1865.
Nicolas Canton; 5th I., Co. I. Detroit, Jan. 2, 1865.
Silas W. Cutter; 3d I., Co. B. Murfreesboro, Dec. 12, 1864.
Henry Clark; 8th I., Co. D. Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864.
Jarnes Christopherson; 3d I., Co. B. Knoxville, Tenn., April 1, 1865.
Geo. S. Cheesbro; E. & M., Co. B. Goldsborough, April 4, 1865.
Harvey S. Curtis; 6th C, Co. M. Richmond, Va., Feb. 15, 1864.
Alex. Cole; 21st I., Co. E. Of wounds, Jan. 20, 1863:
Anson B. Corwin; E. & M., Co. F. Harpeth R.. Tenn., Oct. 3, 1863.
A. Cadwell; 2d C, Co. F. Franklin, Tenn., March 7, 1863.
John W. Coykendale; E. & M., Co. D. LaVergne, Tenn., Jan. 1, 1863.
Wm, L. Caper; 25th 1., Co. B. Mumfordville, Ky., Jan. 3, 1863.
Theodore A. Chapin; 21st I., Co. H. Nashville, June 8, 1863.
Wm. H. Cranston; 21st L, Co. B. Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 20, 1863.
John F. Crysler; 3d I., Co. K. Falmouth, Va., May 13, 1865.
Oliver Culber; 3d I., Co. K. Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.
Jesse Coon; 3d I., Co. K. Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863.
Francis M. Crawford; 6th C, Co. F. Falling Waters, July 14, 1863.
Charles Crauss; 6th C, Co. A. Hunterstown, Pa., July 2, 1863.
Hugh Cox; 1st Sharp Shooters, Co. C. In Michigan, June 12, 1862.
John Cantwell; 3dC, Co. G. Grand Rapids, July 1, 1862.
F. M. Coats; 26th I., Co. I. Cold Harbor, June 7, 1864.
Geo. W. Cluts; 26th 1., Co. I. Washington, May 25, 1864.
P. Coburn, 8th I. James Island, July 10, 1862.
David Cline; 26th I., Co. 1. Feb. 1, 1864.
Jeremiah Cary; 26th I., Co. I. Washington, July 18, 1864.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 315
James Carroll; 14th I., Co. B. Ypsilanti, Mich.
Angus Campbell; 21st I., Co. H. Nashville, Dec. 8, 1862.
Newell Caykendall; E. & M., Co. G. Nashville, Sept. 21, 1862;
Septimus Carlton; 21st I., Co. H. Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
James Congdon; 3d I., Co. B. Groveton, Va., Aug. 29, 1862.
Richard Cusser, 13th I., Co. C. Louisville, March 15, 1862.
Noah Casner; 16th I., Co. G. Washington, June 6, 1865.
Geo. Corporan; 21st I., Co. E. Walker, Mich., March 19, 1863.
Orson 0. David; 27th I., Co. K. Wilmington, N. C, March 3, 1865. .
Byron J. Dart; 42d 111. I. Jan. 1, 1864.
John P. DuKruif; 1st Ind. Co. Alexandria, Va., June 29, 1864.
Edward S. Drew; 10th C, Co. C. Knoxville, Tenn. Oct. 12, 1864.
Thomas A. Davis; 1st Lt. Art., Co. B. Rome, Ga., June 1, 1864.
Eben Delano; 2d C, Co. C. Nashville, July 4, 1864.
David A. Dennison; TOth C, Co.'E. Kentucky, Jan. 23, 1863.
John L. DeGrot; 5th 1., Co. I. Michigan, Aug. 8, 1865.
Wm. D. Davis; 3d I., Co. C. San Antonio, Tex., Sept. 29, 1865.
Frederick Deal; 13th L, Co. D. Nashville, Sept. 26, 1863.
Wm. P. Draper; 5th I., Co. A. Toledo, 0., March 4, 1865.
Abraham Dees; 7th C, Co. K. In prison, 1864.
Emery Durham; 7th C, Co. K. Richmond, Feb. 15, 1864.
Isaac Dean; 21st I., Co. H. Galliopolis, O., Feb. 13, 1863.
Asa Douglass; 8th I., Co. B. Milldale, Miss., July 18, 1863.
Daniel Draper, 6th C, Co. E. Warrenton June, Aug. 10, 1863.
Geo. Dillenback; 26th I., Co. I. Petersburg, Va.r June 16, 1864.
Wm. M. Davis; 26 I., Co. Co. I. Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 11, 1864.
James Dexter; 3rd I., Co. A. Green Lake, Texas, Sept. 1, 1865.
John E. Davis; E. and M., Co. C. Nashville, April 27, 1862.
Samuel Dodge; 3rd I., Co. A. Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.
Hiram Daily; 3rd I., Co. A. Ft. Monroe, April 10, 1862.
Wm. H. Daniels; 3rd I., Co. A. Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.
Thomas A. Eddie ; 2nd Lieut. 6th C. Mea dow Ridge, May 12 , 1863.
Milo Ensign; 1st Lieut. 1st Light Art., Co. E. Tecumseh, Ala., 1862.
Lyman Evans; 26th I., Co. I. Andersonville prison, Oct. 20, 1864.
Stephen W. Ewing; 21st I., Co. H. Nashville, Feb. 1, 1863.
John W. Ewing; 21st I., Co. H. Nashville, Feb. 11, 1863.
James W. Emmons; 21st L, Co. B. Nashville, Dec. 26, 1862.
James Eddy; 3rd C. Rienzi, Miss., June 21, 1862,
Henry Ellis; 1st C, Co. L. Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862.
Henry E. Filkins; 3rd I., Co. F. North Anna, May 25, 1864.
Alvin Fuller; 10th C, Co. M. Knoxville, Tenn., April 8, 1864.
Hiram Filly; 2nd C, Co. D. Farmington, Miss., July 15, 1862.
Geo. W. French; 1st Light Art., Co. E. Shiloh, May 1, 1862.
John A. Fox; 4th C, Co. H. Mitchellvffle, Tenn., Nov. 16, 1862.
Charles H. Frost; E. and M., Co. B. July 18, 1862.
Lucien B. Fullington; 2nd C, Co. F. St. Louis, Sept. 5, 1862.
Isaac Francis; 3rd I., Co. D. Of wounds, Nov. 1, 1862.
Alvin R. Ford; 8th I., Co. D. James Island, June 16, 1862.

316 MEMORIALS OF THE
Wm. A. Francisco; 25th I., Co. B. Nashville, Dec. 16, 1864.
David A. Farnum; 3rd I., Co. A. Nashville, Feb. 10, 1865.
Albert Freeman; 5th I., Co. I. Macon, Ga., May 12, 1864.
Wm. H. Fox; 7th C, Co. M. Winchester, Va., Sept. 20, 1864.
John Frederick; 21st I., Co. E. Of wounds.
John L. Free; 10th C, Co. C. Knoxville, Tenn., July 19, 1865.
Geo. W. Fay; 6th C, Co. H. Trevillion, Ky., June 11, 1864.
Morris E. Fitch; 2d C, Co. F. Franklin, Tenn., March 25, 1863.
Allen Ford; 21st I., Co. B. Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 30, 1863.
Martin Greenman; 3d I., Co. K. Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
Libeus P. Graves; 10th C, Co. E. Detroit, Aug., 1864.
LaFayette Grain; 6th C, Co. M. City Point, Va., Aug. 12, 1864.
Henry L. Gore; E. and M. Co. I. Bridgeport, Ala., March 17, 1864.
Eugene Gillam; 3d I., Co. A. Knox, March 21, 1865.
Geo. Girdler; 3d I., Co. B. Fair Oaks.
Judson A. Gouldsberry; 21st I., Co. I. Goldsborough, N. C, March 26,
1863,
HenryGoble; 3d I., Co. E. Accident, Alexandria, Va., 1862.
Morey Godfroy; 21st 1., Co. I. Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 12, 1863.
Charles B. Gilman; 21st I., Co. H. Stone River, Jan. 1, 1863.
John Gingery; 3d I., Co. D. Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dec. 15, 1864.
James Gunigal; 5th I., Co. F. Salisbury, N. C, Jan. 27, 1865.
Henry W. Griffin; 13th I., Co. D. Bentonville, March 19, 1865.
Solon H. Garrett; 2d C, Co. C. Andersonville prison, May 20, 1864.
Robert Gilden; E. & M., Co. A. Fayetteville, N. C, March 17, 1865.
Warner Green; 2d C, Co. F. Nashville, Dec. 4, 1864.
William Godfroy; Indiana R. Coming home.
Benj. F. Gitchill; 21st I., Co. G. Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
August Gruths; 3d I., Co. B. Washington, Dec. 17, 1862.
Isaac W. Godfroy. Killed by Indians, May 20, 1865.
A. C. Godfroy; 26th I., Co. I. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Warren D. Godfroy; Nevada Cav. At home.
William Green; 6th C, Co. B. Alexandria, Va., Aug. 12, 1863.
Wm. P. Gold; 14th I., Co. F. Fannington, Miss., July 15, 1862.
Joel W. Gardner; 5th I., Co. E. Washington, D. C, July 1, 1864.
Geo. Harwiek; 2d C, Co. G. Chattanooga, July 13, 1864.
Elisha Helsel; 8th I., Co. D. Fredericksburg, Va., May 12, 1864.
Henry H. Hickox; 2d C, Co. D. Evansville, Ind., Aug. 16, 1862.
D. L. Hyclan; 6th C, Co. A. Oct. 28, 1863.
Martin House; 6th C, Co. M. Hawes' Shop; May 28, 1864.
Cyrus Hoadley; E. & M., Co. K. Chattanooga, Feb. 29, 1864.
Frank P. Hilderth; 4th C, Co. H. Danville, Ky., November 2, 1862.
Eli Hamblin; 3d I., Co. F. Washington, September 18, 1862.
Lewis Hartman; 3d I., Co. C. Armory Hosp., October 21, 1862.
Welcome E. Herrendon; 27th I., Co. D. Washington, June 15, 1864.
Charles G: Hilton; 21st I., Co. B. Stone River, December 31, 1862.
Estil W. Holt; 26th I., Co. I. Washington, June 17, 1864.
Jared Harrington. Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 317
George Hilliard.
James Hoose; 4th C, Co. H. Bowling Green, Ky., January 17, 1863.
Francis I. Hartwell; 21st I., Co. H. Perryville, Ky., April 1, 1862.
Wm. Himmelberger; 1st C, Co. L. Sandy Hook, Md., Sept. 30, 1862.
Clark Hall; 8th L, Co. D. Chantilly, September 1, 1862.
Thomas Hollington; E. and M., Co. C. Corinth, Miss., May 25, 1862.
Joseph E. Hooper; 2d C, Co. E. New Madrid, December 11, 1862.
Jared V. Harrison; 3d I., Co. A. Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.
Americus Holden; 21st I., Co. H. At home, August 30, 1864.
William Halsey; 3d I., Co. K. October 4, 1862.
Abram V. Hawk; 21st I., Co. B. Lowell, Mich., January 31, 1865.
John Harper; 21st I., Co. H. Washington, May 12, 1865.
Harrison Harger; 4th C, Co. H. Sparta, Tenn., August 11, 1863.
Wm. Harger; 4th C, Co. H. Sparta, Tenn.
Wm. C. Harlan; 5th I., Co. F. July 12, 1863.
Rufus A. Hilton; E. and M„ Co. D. Beardstown, Ky., Sept. 1, 1862.
Henry Hardenburg; 3d I., Co. C. Keokuk, Iowa, March 13, 1865.
Wm. N. Herrington; 3d I., Co. B. April 11, 1865.
Daniel Hayes; 21st I., Co. H. Bentonville, N. C. March 19, 1865.
Alpheus Holcomb; 21st I., Co. H. Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
Warren Heald; E. and M., Co. C. Ogeechee, Ga., December 7, 1864.
Washington Holmes; E. and M., Co. C. Portsmouth, May 19, 1865.
Samuel Hughes; 6th C, Co. F. Andersonville Pris., July 21, 1864.
Charles Helmer; 6th C, Co. M. Andersonville Pris., August 5, 1864.
James Heffern; 21st I., Co. H. Bowling Green, Jan. 14, 1863.
Ira Helsill; 21st I., Co. E. Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 10, 1863.
John Hanna; 6th C, Co. A. Hanover, Va., May 8, 1864.
Wm. Hamblin; 5th I., Co. F. June 18, 1864.
John Hinkle; 3d I., Co. C. Nashville, July 5, 1865.
Samuel Harrington; 16th I., Co. I. Washington, June 1, 1865.
Judson W. Irons; 14th I., Co. E. Big Springs, Miss., July 3, 1862.
Charles W. Irons; E. & M., Co. D. Nov. 16, 1862.
Burdell C. Irons; E. & M., Co. F. New York, May 16, 1865.
Leander Jewell; 6th C, Co. A. Hanover, Va., May 28, 1864.
John Jinks; 6fch I., Co. B. New Orleans, Aug. 14, 1864.
Richard Johnson; 3d L, Co. A. Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863
Casper Jenner; 5th I., Co. I. Grand Rapids, May 27, 1865.
Edward Johnson; 13th L, Co. A. Detroit, May 14, 1865.
Guy Johnson; 21st I., Co. H. Lookout Mt., Aug. 19, 1864.
Wm. W. Johnson, 6th C, Co. M. Washington, Oct. 11, 1864.
Jasper Jacobs; 3d I., Co. F. Groveton, Aug. 29, 1862.
Mark Johnson: 13th I., Co. A. David's Island, N. Y., May 16, 1865.
Harvey Johnson; 13th I., Co. C. Stone River.
Jacob Kugers; 3d I., Co. F. Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864.
Curtis L. Keeny; 2d C, Co. F. St. Louis.
Charles E. Kennedy; 26th L, Co. I. Farmville, Va., April 7, 1865.
John M. Knapp; 21st L, Co. B. Bent, N. C, March 21, 1865.
Hugh Kearney; 5th I., Co. A. Detroit, April 6, 1865.

il8 MEMORIALS OF THE
John Kennedy; 8th I., Co. H. Petersburg, April 2, 1865.
Fred. S. Kettle; 6th C., Co. B. Harper's Ferry, Jan. 3, 1865.
Webster J. Kniffin; 3d I., Co. A. Camp S., Va., June 1, 1863.
'Henry F. Kimbert; 10th C., Co. F. Flat Creek, Tenn., Aug. 27, 1864.
Andrew I. Konkling; 6th C„ Co. B. Oct 26, 1862.
John Kennedy; E. and M,, Co. B, Accident, Fayetteville, N. C, March
14, 1865.
Wm. J. Knapp; 26th I., Co. I. Andersonville Pris., October 20, 1864.
Francis Kelly; 6th C,, Co. A. Prisoner, 1863.
John Lynch; 2d C, Co. F. Cleaveland, Tenn., April 2, 1864.
Henry C, Lock; 21st I., Co. H. Nashville, December 7, 1862.
Robert Lee; 3d I., Co. C. Sparta, Mich.
Geo. R. Lyon; 21st I., Co. B. Louisville, November 30, 1862.
Erastus R. Linsley ; 21st I., Co. E. Louisville, October 30, 1862.
Dennis Lynch; 14th I., Co, B. Nashville, October 28, 1862.
Anson Lewis; 3d I., Co, A. Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.
Joseph Lozo; 21st I., Co. B, David's I., N. Y., May 17, 1865.
Isaac Lovell, 25th I., Co. B. Alcantra, Ga., Augusts, 1864.
John Lynd; 16th I„ Co. E. Field, Va., June 4, 1865.
James Lind; 6th C, Co. H. Andersonville Pris., September 25, 1864.
John B. Leach; 4th C, Co. H. Nashville, December 25, 1862.
Charles H. Louder; 2d C, Co. E. Nashville, May 4, 1865.
Abram A. Lawyer; 21st I., Co. H. Stone River, December 31, 1862.
Henry Lawyer; 3d I., Co, A. Wilderness, May 6, 1864.
Robert H. Lamberton; 24th I., Co. I. October 6, 1862.
John Leclaire; 4th C, Co. H.
Monroe Livington; 6th C, Co. F. Falling Waters, July 14, 1863.
John Livingston; 6th C, Co. F. Fairfax, June 22. 1863.
'Thomas A. Martin.
Neil McLean; 3d I. Nashville, February 27, 1865.
Peter McLean; 6th C. Richmond, Va., May 28, 1864,
D. McDermott; 2oth I., Co I. Hanover, Va., May 24, 1862.
Orville Marsh; 7th C, Co. D. September 4, 1864.
Charles B. Morey; 2d C, Co. H. In Michigan, May, 1864.
James Matthews; 8th I., Co. D. In Michigan, February 4, 1864.
Mortimer W. Mormon; 10th C, Co. A. Pt. Isabel, Ky., March 22, 1864.
Benj. F. Morey; 13th I., Co, C. Chickamauga, Tenn., Sept. 19, 1863.
John Mead; E. & M., Co. D. Chattanooga, Feb. 21, 1864.
James Mashkum; 1st Sharp Shooters, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864,
Duncan McNaughton; 2d C, Co. E. N. Madrid, April 20, 1862,
Jacob McFall; 6th C, Co. F. Berryville, Va., Sept. 5, 1864.
Charles McCarty; 26th I., Co. I. Andersonville Prison, Aug. 18, 1864.
William Murray; 26th I., Co. I. Deep Bottom, Va., July 27, 1864.
Milton M, Merryfield; 21st I., Co, B, Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Ivan McLain; 21st I., Co. E. Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
John W. Marvin; E. ft M„ Co. D. Nashville, Nov. 2, 1862. ¦
Charles MyersV E. & M.,'Co.' C. Nashville, Oct. 12, 1862.! «; ; ,;--'
JohnMurony; 14th. I,, Co,' F,' Campbell, -0.,'Mayl9,v1862.r": '¦"'"' ':--...

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 319
Arthur McDougal; 8th I., Co. H. Washington, Oct. 29, 1861,
Michael McGrath; 3d I., Co. D. Groveton, Aug. 29, 1862.
Harvey H. Mead; 3d I., Co. K. Groveton.
Joseph Morse; 2d C, Co. F. Nashville, Sept. 23, 1863.
Homer H.'Morgan; 3d I., Co. B. July 21, 1861.
Jonas McFall; 16th I., Co. H. Washington, April 30, 1865.
Adam McGarvey; 3d I., Co. K. Ft. Lyon, Oct. 18, 1861.
Horace McNitt; 4th C, Co. H. Nashville, Jan. 19, 1863.
Joel McLenathan; 5th L, Co. A. Detroit, Jan. 28, 1865.
Lt. Thomas N. V. Mitchell; 14th C. Wounds. Murfreesboro, Dec, 1862.
Oakland Merryfield.
Samuel McMurray; 5th I., Co. E. Jan. 2, 1865.
Geo. W. Miller; 3d I., Co. A. Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.
Berdan McCall; 8th I., Co. D. Petersburg, Jan. 30, 1865.
David A. Marsh; 13th I., Co. E. Savannah, March 3, 1865.
Henry I. Myers; 16th I., Co. B. Washington, June 9, 1865.
Thomas C. McConnell; 10th C, Co. D. Knoxville, March 14, 1865.
Samuel Montague; E. & M., Co. D. Washington, July 8, 1865.
John McHugh; 26th I., Co. I. New York, Aug. 15, 1863.
Nathan E. Mallory; 21st I., Co. F. Chattanooga, March 28, 1865.
Charles F. Myers; 6th C, Co. H. Andersonville prison, July 25, 1864.
James Misner; 6th C, Co. F. Andersonville prison, Aug. 17, 1864.
Stewart J. McLane; 21st I., Co. E. Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1862.
Finley McPhearson; 6th C, Co. F. Cumberland, Tenn., May 5, 1865.
Allen Morse; 6th C, Co. M. Andersonville prison, Oct. 1, 1864.
Robert W. Miller; 6th C, Co. E. Plainfield, Mich., Jan. 20, 1865.
Jacob Miers; 6th C, Co. M. Richmond, Aug. 1, 1864.
John Moffit; 21st I., Co. H. Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 3, 1863.
Anthony D. Matthews; E. & M., Co. D. Murfreesboro, April 15, 1863.
John M. Morris; 21st I., Co. B. Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862.
Charles Miller; 3d I., Co. B. Virginia, March 18, 1863.
Michael Murphy; 3d I., Co. B. Philadelphia, Feb. 1, 1863.
David Munthorn; 6th C, Co. E. Campbell Hospital, 1863.
0. Mayfield; 6th C, Co. B. Falling Waters, July 14, 1863.
I. McDonald; 6th C, Co. F. Falling Waters,' July 14, 1863.
Timothy J. Mosher; Washington, 1863.
Alfred D. Moore; E. & M., Co. A. Chattanooga, April 19, 1864.
Augustus Mauranski; 21st I., Co. B.. Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Walter Misner; 6th C, Co. F. Washington, Aug. 30, 1863.
Alonzo R. Martin; 6th C, Co. B. Falling Waters, July 14, 1863.
Abraham Miller. At home, of Avounds.
John Nellis; 6th C, Co. H. Nov. 18, 1864.
David Noble; E. & M., Co. C. Tuscumbia, Ga., June 22, 1862.
Flavius J. Neal; 6th C, Co. B. Fall. Wat., July 14, 1863.
Otheviah F. Norman, 6th C, Co. M. Andersonville prison. Sept. 26, 1864.
Merritt Newton; 13th I., Co. C. Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Henry J. Nesbitt;'-21stL, Co. H. Lookout Mt.,1 Aug, 20, 1864. >¦
Wm. Newton; ,5th: I., Co. A. Virginia, iOct. 27, '1864.

320 MEMORIALS OF THE
Miner S. Nicols; 21st I., Co. H. Murfreesboro, May 11, 1863.
Ira A. Nash; 26th I., Co. I. Alexandria, Va., Jan. 25, 1863.
James W. Newson; 21st 1., Co. E. Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 17, 1863.
Samuel B. Osgood; 2d C, Co. D. Golconda, Sept. 13, 1862.
Elon Oneans; 2d C, Co. E. New Albany, Sept.. 30, 1863.
John O'Brein; 14th I., Co. B. Nashville, Jan. 31, 1863.
Charles E. Provin; E. & M., Co. B. Atlanta, Oct. 15, 1864.
John Potter; E. & M., Co. H. Tennessee, Jan. 29, 1864.
Charles F. Page; 8th I., Co. I. Wilderness, May 6, 1864.
Reuben Petty; 10th C, Co. A. Knoxville, April 27, 1864.
Fred Porter; E. & M., Co. A. Chattanooga, March 3, 1864. .
Frederick Propardett; 3d I., Co. F. Philadelphia, Sept. 2, 1862.
Francis Pelton; 6th C, Co. B. Falling Waters, July 14, 1863.
John B. Pearsall; E. & M., Co. E. May 10, 1862.
James I. Provin; 6th C, Co. P. Smithfield, Va., Feb. 5, 1864.
Austin Pixley; 6th C, Co. A. Aqua Creek, Va., June 15, 1861.
Geo. W. Parker; 3d I., Co. F. Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 1, 1865.
Henry Pool; 3d I., Co. A. Virginia, June 25, 1862.
Geo. W. Pyle; 21st I., Co. B. Bentonville, March 13, 1865.
Jacob Plaster; 1st C, Co. L. Washington, Nov. 21, 1861.
Aaron R. Piersons; 15th I., Co. E. Chattanooga, June 12, 1865.
Wm. W. Potter; 21st 1., Co. E. Nashville, April 13, 1863.
James B. Pierce; 3d I., Co. A. Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Theodore F. Peterson; 3d I., Co. A. Philadelphia, April 22, 1863.
Geo. F. Patten; Falling Waters, July 14, 1863.
Henry B. Potter; 6th C, Co. B. Falling Waters, July 12, 1863.
Wm. Prindle; 5th I., Co. F. Florence, S. C, Nov. 11, 1864.
Bennett Phillips; Washington, August 5, 1863.
John Powley.
Otis H. Russell; E. &M., Co. D. Chattanooga, July 6, 1864.
Purely Ramslar; E. & M„ Co. D. Chattanooga, June 19, 1864.
Ciarles A. Russell; 10th C, Co. F. Flat Creek, Tenn., August 17, 1864.
Joel Rennells; 25th L, Co. B. Knoxville, July 8, 1864.
Edwin Rathbun; 21st I., Co. E. Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Peter Rykert; E. and M., Co. K. Chattanooga, March 17, 1864.
Lafayette Randall; 13th I., Co. C. Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Charles H. Richmond; 8th L, Co. D. Washington, Sept. 1862.
Charles L. Richards; 2nd C, Co. D. St. Louis, Jan. 30, 1862.
Almeron D. Rathbun; 21st I., Co. I. Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Geo. Robertson; E. and M., Co. D. Nashville, May 11, 1862.
Oliver Rhodes; 8th I., Co. D. Chantilly, Sept. 1, 1862.
Henry S. Reed; 2nd C, Co. E. Farmington, July 7, 1862.
Edmond Riordan; 3rd I., Co. F. Groveton.
Samuel L. Rice; 3rd I., Co. B. Fair Oaks.
Isaac W. Roberts; 3rd I., Co. F. Seven Pines, May 31, 1862.
James Robinson; 3rd C, Co. M. Lagrange, Tenn., Sept. 20, 1863.
Ezra J. Rogers; 3rd I., Co. B. Murfreesboro, Dec. 28, 1865.
Abram Rosel; 6th C, Co. B. Falling Waters, July 14, 1863.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 321
Cady Rowly; E. and M., Co. K. Marshall, Mich., April 13, 1865.
Jacob Rectenwald; 4th C; Co. H. Nashville, Dec. 15, 1862.
Luman 0. Reed; 14th I., Co. F. In the field, Georgia, July 5, 1864.
Richards Rolands; 6th C, Co. M. Andersou ville prison, April 16, 1864.
Wm. R. Roswoll; 21st I., Co. H. Nashville, Jan. 13, 1863.
Alfred A. Randall; 21st L, Co. H. Nashville, Jan. 4. 1864.
Abram Richmire; 21st I., Co. E. New Albany, .Dec. 22, 1862.
Rennes Rogers; 6th C, Co. B. FaUing Waters, of wounds, July 30, 1863.
Francis D. Richardson; 6th C, Co. F. Palling Waters, July 14, 1863.
John Rexford; 21st I., Co. B. Nashville, Feb. 14, 1863.
Luther Richards.
Thomas C. Soules; E. & M., Co. F. Bridgeport, Ala., June 24, 1864.
Capt. Edgar W. Smith; 21st I., Co. D. Wounded at Chickamauga, Oct.
15, 1863.
Elisha Steele; 2d C, Co. C. Andersonville Prison.
Erson H. Smith; Libby Prison, Sept. 12, 1863.
H. Steneca; 7th C, Co. M. Washington, June 22, 1864.
Thomas A. Sapwell; 1st Light Art. Rome, Ga., June 22, 1864.
Hiram Sherman; 13th I., Co. C. Tuscumbia, Ala., June 16, 1862.
Amos M, Smith; 26th I., Co. I. Washington, Oct. 10, 1864.
Capt. James Sligh; Tallahoma, Nov. 15, 1863.
James H, Soules; 4th C, Co. H. Mitchellville, Tenn., Dec. 2, 1862.
Geo. W. Spearback; 8th I., Co. D. Wilm. Is., April 16, 1862.
William S. Simmons; 14th I., Co. F. Farmington, Miss., July 20, 1862'
Frederick Shriver; 3d I., Co. B. Groveton, August 20, 1862.
Geo. W. Story; 2d C, Co. E. New Madrid, March 24, 1862.
Joseph T. Sliter; 6th C, Co. B. Falling Waters, July 14. 1863.
James W. Sims; 14th I., Co. A. Franklin, Tenn., Feb. 28, 1864.
Eugene Smith, 3d I., Co. K. Fair Oaks.
Charles D. Smiih; 3d L, Co. A. Fair Oaks.
Morris Stevenson; 21st I., Co. I. Newbern, N. C, May 24, 1865.
Harrison C. Soules; 3d I., Co. A. Annapolis, 1862.
Ethan E. Squiers; 21st I., Co. F. Detroit, Feb. 3, 1865.
Cyrus B. Steele; 16th I., Co. G. Washington, June 27, 1865.
Wm. F. Schenk; 2d C, Co. E. St. Louis, Dec. 11, 1862.
Geo. H. Sliter; 21st I., Co. H. Dansville Prison, April 1864.
Thomas Stanton; 3d I., Co. D. Nashville, June 29, 1865.
Frank Shoff; 3d L, Co. F. Nashville, April 11, 1865.
Willson B. Seymour; 7th C, Co. B. Dacotah T., Sept. 3, 1865,
Chauncey Smith; 5th I., Co. F. Salisbury, N. C, Dec. 22, 1864.
Wm. Shoemaker; 5th I., Co. I. Petersburg, June 18, 1864.
Geo. W. Smith; 3d I., Co. C. Nashville, July 5, 1865.
Henry Strong; 3d I., Co. C. Nashville, April 8, 1865.
Dennis Scagel; 16th I., Co. B. Gravelly Run, Va., March 31, 1865.
Reuben F. Stanley; 14th L, Co. E. Nashville, Jan. 13, 1865.
Alfred E. Smith; 26th I., Co. I. Washington, Feb. 10, 1865.
Denton Smith; 16th I., Co. A. Washington, June 6, 1863.
Richard.Sterling; 1st C. Nov. 1, 1864.
21

322 MEMORIALS OF THE
James H. Soules; 4th C, Co. H. Mitchellville, Term., Dec. 1, 1862.
James Sears; 6th C, Co. H. Point of Rocks, Aug. 23, 1865.
Wm. F. Sibley; 21st L, Co. B. Lookout Mt., Nov. 1, 1864.
Horace B. Smoke; 6th C, Co. H. Andersonville prison, Aug. 15, 1864.
Daniel Smith; 6th C, Co. F. Richmond, Jan. 15, 1864.
Alfred Shirk; 2d C, Co. B. New Albany, Sept. 15, 1863.
Wm. I. Slayton; 25th I., Co. B. Louisville, July 22, 1863.
Sacob Stark; 6th C, Co. M. Grand Rapids, Nov. 28, 1862.
Lyman D. Stilwell; 4th C, Co. M. Andersonville prison, May 2, 1864.
Wm. Smithr E. & M., Co. D. Nashville, Jan. 22, 1863.
John H. Stewart; 21st I., Co. E. Bowling Green, Nov. 25, 1862.
John Smalley; 21st I., Co. F. Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 17, 1863.
Robert Sleigh; Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Cornelius Spaulding; 6th C, Co. H. Washington, Jan. 19, 1863.
Seth Streeter; 6th C, Co. H. Washington, Aug. 2.
Warren V. Soules; 4th C, Co. H. Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 1, 1863.
Samuel C. Squiers; 21st I., Co. H. Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 1, 1864.
Lucas M. Smith; 1st Ind. Co. Detroit, Oct. 1, 1864.
Major Slater; E. & M., Co. C. Chattanooga, July 24, 1864.
James R. Tread way; 14th I., Co. F. Field, Ga., July 5, 1864.
Dwight Towsley ; 5th I., Co. F. Of wounds, July 1, 1864.
Allen Thayer; 3d I., Co. F. Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864.
L. C. Truax; 6th C, Co. M. City Point, Va., Aug. 12, 1864.
Almon H. Tubbs; 3d C, Co. K. Oxford, Miss., Dec. 10, 1862.
Geo. Trescit; 21st I., Co. G. Louisville, Dec, 1862.
Samuel D. Tole; 26th I., Co. I. Deep Bottom, Aug. 16, 1864.
James A. Tabor; 5th I., Co. E. Washington, April 18, 1865.
Henry H. Thurston; 1st Lt. Art., Co. E. Drowned, May 2, 1865.
Matthew Tancred; 14th I., Co. K. Andersonville prison, May 25, 1864.
Lorenzo D. Tubbs; 13th I., Co. G. Bentonville, March 19, 1865.
George Tower; 13th I., Co. C. Stone River, December 31, 1863.
Henry C. Tower^ 13th I., Co. C. Chickamauga, September 19, 1863.
Orange Taylor; 8th I., Co. D. Washington, 1863.
John W. Tyler; 6th C, Co. A. Fairfax, May 6, 1863.
Wm. D. Upson; E. and M. Nashville, March 4, 1865.
Benj. Van Norman; 10th C, Co. A. Greenville, Tenn., August 24, 1864.
James Van Dusen; 2dC, Co. D. St. Louis, December 5, 1862.
Cornelius Vanlieu; 6th C, Co. F. Andersonville Pris., July 14, 1864.
E. Vandecan; 26th I., Co. I. Washington, June 4, 1864.
Chester Vincent; 21st 1., Co. I. Bowling Green, November 16, 1862.
Phililp Van Dusen; 3d I., Co. D. Groveton, August 29, 1862.
George Van Wie; 3d C, Co. L. Jackson, Tenn., April 25, 1863.
Hogan Van Etten; 3d I., Co. B. Gulf of Mexico, November 13, 1865.
James Van Dusen; 16th L, Co. F. Coming home, February 27, 1865.
Van Buren Van Etten; 4th C, Co. H. Tennessee, December 28, 1862.
Abram Wolf; E. and M., Co. D. Chattanooga, April 24, 1864.
Seldon Wood; E. and M., Co. D. Chattanooga. November 5, 1863.
James C. Wallace; E. and M., Co. A. Cartersville, Ga., July 13, 1864.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 323
Nathan Wilkes; 2d C, Co. C.' New Albany, (suicide), Sept. 30, 1864.
Charles Wegal; 4th C, Co. H. Nashville, December 24, 1862
Henry White; 2d C, Co. D. Farmington, Miss., July 15„1862.
Henry G. Watson; 2d C, Co. E. Chap. Hill, October 8, 1862.
Joel Wolcott; 26th I., Co. I. Washington, May 24, 1864.
Willard Washburne; 3d I., Co. F. Groveton, August 2g, 1862.
LawrenceS. Wolcott; 13th I., Co. C. Stone River, January 2, 1863.
John H. Wood; 6th C, Co. A. Fairfax, April 25, 1863,
Darwin D. Weeks; 13th I., Co. C, Nashville, November 19, 1862.
John White; 21st I., Co. B. Danville, Fy., October 31, 1862.
Wm. Wright; 3d I., Co. A. Washington, May 12, 1862.
Henry Ward; 3d I., Co. A. Fair Oaks.
Alonzo Worden; 21st L, Co. H. Savannah, Dec. 20, 1864.
Norman G. White; 3d I., Co. D. Fair Oaks.
Wilber Wait; 3d I., Co. F. June 12, 1862.
Thomas Whitfield; 16th I., Co. H. Baltimore, Dec. 18, 1864.
John Wirtz; E. &M„ Co. B. Louisville, Dec. 12, 1864.
Geo. W. Williams; 6th C, Co. A. Winchester, Va., Jan. 8, 1865.
Wm. Wood; E. & M., Co. D. N. Y. Harbor, April 23, 1865.
Henry Wait; E. & M., Co. L. Sultana, April 27, 1865.
Geo. C. Williams; E. & M., Co. C. Town Creek, Ga., Dec. 7, 1864.
Solomon M. Whitney; 21st I., Co. F. Chattanooga, Sept. 22, 1863.
Samuel White, Jr., 10th C, Co. D. Knoxville, May 26, 1865.
Reuben Walters; 6th C, Co. H. Richmond, Dec. 25, 1864.
Wm. G. Whitwoith; 6th C, Co. A. Andersonville Prison.Sept. 20, 1864.
Daniel M. Williams; E. & M., Co. H. Nashville, Jan. 27, 1863.
Andrew C. Wright: E. & M., Co. C. Richmond, June 28, 1863.
Geo. D. Walker; E. & M., Co. F. Nashville, Feb. 28, 1863.
Stephen Waters; 8th I., Co. D. Petersburg, July 1, 1864.
Daniel S. Warren; 21st I., Co. H. Bowling Green, Dec. 5, 1862.
AlbernO. Woodward; 21st I., Co. G. Louisville, Dec. 28, 1862.
Jackson Wood; 21st I., Co. E. In Michigan camp, March 28, 1863.
James F. Wilson; 21st I., Co. E. Bowling Green, December 19, 1862
James W. Washburne; 21st I., Co. I. Chattanooga, Nov. 9, 1863.
Nathaniel N. Williams; 21st I., Co. E. Nashville, Jan. 15, 1863.
John West; 3d I., Co. D. Camp Pitcher, Va., March 10, 1863.
John Webster; 3d I., Co. E. Camp Sickles, Va., April 6th, 1863.
Julius M. Wright; 4th C„ Co. H. Annapolis, Md., March 20, 1863.
Milo Willard; 21st I., Co. H. Danville, Ky., (a prisoner).
Wm. H. Worden; 3d C, Co. E. New Albany, Miss., Oct. 5, 1863.
Geo. W. White; 21st I., Co. B. Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864.
Jasper I. Younger; 2d C, Co.'E. Benton Barracks, Dec. 12, 1862.
Frankhn E. Youngs; 2d C, Co. E. St. Louis, July 20, 1862.
Major Silas A. Yerkes; 13th I. Oct. 26, 1865.
OTTAWA COUNTY.
Emerson M. Averill; 2d C, Co. A.
Chester W. Adams; 3d I., Co. B. Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.

324 MEMORIALS OF THE
Justin Alden; 3d C, Co. D. Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862.
Elias C. Argill; 10th C, Co. C. Knox, Tenn., May 10, 1865.
Oliver Ackley; 12th C, Co. C. Knox., April 10, 1865.
Geo. W. Allyn; 25th I., Co. I. Bowling Green, Feb. 25, 1863.
Arza Bartholomew; 21st I., Co. G. Murfreesboro, May 8, 1863.
Joel A. Bumham; 3d I., Co. A. Murfreesboro, March 7, 1865.
William Brodt; 21st I., Co. G. - Suicide, Tenn., Nov. 19, 1865.
Wm. H. Bartholomew; 21st I., Co. G. At home, March 1, 1865.
John Boozer; 21st I., Co. E. Bentonville, N. C, March 19, 1865.
Peter Boies; 2d C, Co. D. St. Louis, April 10, 1862.
Otto Boot; 25th I., Co. I. By guerrillas, Nov. 28, 1864.
Justin A. Balcolm; 21st I„ Co. G. Nash., Oct. 31, 1863.
Francis E. Brooks; 10th C, Co. D. Burnside Pt., Ky., Feb. 28, 1864.
Silas E. Benham; 21st I., Co. G. Louisville, Dec. 8, 1862.
Job Broekman;' 13th I., Co. D. Beardstown, Ky., April 12, 1862.
Joseph Brown; 3d I., Co. I. Groveton.
Harlow P. Britton; 10th C, Co. C. Knox., June 18, 1865.
John H. Bender; 3d I., Co. I. Harrison's Landing, May 19, 1862.
Abijah Brott; 21st I., Co. E. Murfreesboro, July 15, 1863.
John Barnhill; 21st I. Co. E.
Lewis Borman; 6th C, Co. B. Battle Mt., July 24, 1863.
Simeon L. Brink; 5th C, Co. B. Of wounds, Oct. 19, 1863.
Henry O. Brittain; 21st 1., Co. G. Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
Joseph B. Cady; 21st I., Co. G. David's I., N. Y., June 28, 1865.
Francis W. Cole; 21st I., Co. G. Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
Charles Carroll; 5th I., Co. E. Of wounds, Sept. 12, 1864.
George A. Chamberlain; 8th I., Co. D. Fredericksburg, Va., May 12, 1864.
James Chatfield; 2d C, Co. D. Nashville, December 9, 1863.
Charles W. Coan; 2d C, Co. D. Chap. Hill, October 9, 1862.
I. H. Crofoot; 25th I., Co. I. Nashville, June 26, 1864.
Solomon Cronkite; 21st I., Co. E. Louisville November 15, 1862.
Martin Clapper; 3d I., Co. I. Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862.
George Chrysler; 3d I., Co. I. Groveton.
Aaron P. Camp; 3d I., Co. I. May 12, 1862.
Isaiah Crofoot; 21st I., Co. I. Bowling Green, May 10, 1863.
John S. Corless; 2d C, Co. C. Steamboat Sultana, April 27, 1865.
Andrew B. Coon; 2d C, Co. B. Cahaba, Ala., March 25, 1865.
Alfred Collar; E. and M., Co. A. Savannah, December 24, 1864.
Wm. J. Coble; 3d I., Co. I. Philadelphia, September 16, 1863.
Charles H. Cranmer; 21st I., Co. E. Goldsburgh, March 27, 1865.
Peter Caston; 5th C, Co. M. Berryville, Va., August 19, 1864.
Charles Dean; 10th C, Co. K. Camp Nelson, Ky., February 21, 1864.
Albert De Groot; 2d C, Co. D. Andersonville Pris., May 24, 1864.
Garrett De Mez; 1st Sharp Shooters, Co. .F. Of wounds, May 18, 1864.
Geo. A. Dudley. Beaufort, S. C, July 6, 1864.
Thomas Donahue; 3d I., Co. A. Philadelphia, of wounds.
John W. De Young; 8th I., Co. D. Annapolis.
James P. Dennis; E. and M., Co. A. Newbern, N. C, March 15, 1865.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 325
Sylvanus H. Dow; E. and M., Co. I. Moreland, N. C, April 18, 1865.
Peter Decoyer; E. and M.. Co. D. Bent., N. C, March 21, 1865.
Wm. Deming; 7th I., Co. I. Beverly Hosp., N. J., October 5, 1864.
Isaac Duvernay; 5th I., Co. I. Salis., N. C, February 18, 1865.
Simon De Groot; 8th I., Co. D. Milldale, Miss., July 25, 1863.
Gundar L. Edwards; -9th I., Co. H. West Pt., Ky.
Robert Evans; 7th I., Co. H. West.Pt,, Ky.
Nathan Ellis; 10th C, Co. C. Knoxville, April 15, 1865.
Harry J. Esget; 2d C, Co. G. Thompson's Station, March 4, 1863.
Alfred L. Frazier; E. & M., Co. A. Goldsboro, N. C, March 29, 1865.
Birkley Felton; 1st Light Art., Co. E. Nashville, June 9, 1864.
John Finch; 3d I., Co. I. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Myron Fuller; 21st I., Co. I. Georgia, Feb. 20, 1865.
Franklin H. Garrison; 21st I., Co G. Newbern, N. C, May 1, 1865.
James Gray; 3d I., Co. A. Nashville, June 22, 1865.
Frederick Griswold; 14th I., Co. F. Franklin, Tenn., Dec. 11, 1863.
G. N. Gates; 7th C, Co. L. Washington, Nov. 23, 1863.
James Grotenhuis; 8th I., Co. D. Fredericksburg, Va., May 12, 1864.
Charles F. Gardner; E. & M., Co. I. Bridgeport, Ala., April, 1864.
August Gottschhng; 21st I., Co. G. Bentonville, N. C, March 19, 1864.
Eben G. Gale; 2d C, Co. D. Home, Sept. 19, 1862.
Luther H. Griswold; 21st I., Co. G. Nashville, Dec. 15, 1862.
David Gitchill; 3d I., Co. I. July 12, 1861.
Lewis Getz; 12th I., Co. I. Memphis, Sept. 13, 1863.
Valentine Glibes; E. & M., Co. I. Bridgeport, Ala., March 31, 1864.
Perry D. Griswold; 1st Sharp Shooters, Co. E. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Gilbert S. Havens; 21st I., Co. B. New York, Feb 2, 1865.
Nathan Halloway; 3d I., Co. B. Wildnerness, May 6, 1864.
Wm. H. Hilderth; 10th C, Co. C. Burnside, Pt., June 24, 1864
Lewis Hervey; E. & M., Co. D. Massac Creek, August 29, 1862.
Silas 0. Hedges: 10th C, Co. C. Chattanooga, August 9, 1865.
, George Hammer; 10th C, Co. C. Somerset, Ky., March 10, 1865.
James Hayes; 21st I., Co. G. Jeffersonville, Ind., Feb. 23, 1865.
Sylvanus S. Harmon; 25th I., C. I. Bowling Green, March 24, 1863.
Roswell Harris; 21st I., Co. E. Nashville, Feb. 14, 1863.
Edwin E. Hurlburt; 3d I., Co. K. Washington, Jan. 20, 1863.
Abram Haskins; 3d I., Co. B. Nashville, Feb. 13, 1865.
Ostin Johnson; 21st I., Co. H. Michigan, Feb. 17, 1865.
A. Jonker; 25th I., Co. I. Atlanta, Aug. 7, 1864.
Wm. S. Jackson; 2d C, Co. D.
M. Janson; 25th I.; Co. 1. Knoxville, March, 23, 1864.
Henry Jessup; 21st I., Co. G. Murfreesboro, April, 16, 1863.
John Krey; 21st I., Co. E. Accident, July 8, 1863.
Thomas Kraai; 3d I., Co. D. Washington, Aug., 1864.
Ralph Kugers; 3d I., Co. P. Spottsylvania, May 6, 1864.
John W. Kellogg; 3d I., Co. I. Nov. 20, 1861.
Wm. H. Kirkland; 3d I., Co. I. June 7, 1862.
Richard D. Koon; 8th C, Co. M. Nashville, Jan. 23, 1865.

326 MEMORIALS OF THE
Alpheus C. Keroft; 3d I., Co. F. Murfreesboro, Dec. 1, 1864.
John Kamhout; 1st Lt. Art., Co. B. Cheraw, S. C, March 6, 1865.
Dirk Keppel. Wilmington Is., April 16, 1862.
Enos Lesperance; 2d. C, Co. D. Nashville, Feb. 25, 1863.
Nathaniel Luther; 1st C, Co. C. Camp Nelson, Ky., Dec. 29, 1863.
Almon Landon; 2d C, Co. D. Hamburg, Tenn., May 30, 1862.
Mark Losee; 2d C, Co. D. Nashville, Dec. 8, 1862.
Wm. Ledebear; 25th I., Co. I. Bowling Green, May 12, 1863.
Albert H. Lawton; 21st I., Co. G. Nashville, Dec, 1862.
David Mead; 21st I., Co. G. Chattanooga, March 11, 1864.
Warren Maxfield; 5th C, Co. B. Washington, Nov. 5, 1863.
Henry Mappen; 8th I., Co. D. Mech., Va., May 31, 1864.
Luther L, Moody; 10th C, Co. C. Camp Nelson, Ky., Jan. 26, 1864.
Charles A. Morgan; 3d I., Co. I. Groveton, Aug. 20. 1862.
Marlin Mokma; 8th I., Co. D. Chantilly, Sept. 1, 1862.
Franklin Marsak; 2d C, Co. E. Evansville, Ang. 15, 1862.
John Mclntyre; 5th C, Co. B. Brandy Station, Oct. 12, 1863.
Darius A. Markham; 9th C ., Co. B. Andersonville prison, July, 1864.
James McDermott; 14th I., Co. C. Camp Dennison, O., May 15, 1865.
Daniel C. Marsac; 2d C, Co. C. Nashville, Jan. 18, 1865.
Enos Malcomb; 21st I., Co. G. Murfreesboro, Jan. 31, 1863.
Antoon Meydam; 21st I., Co. C. Nashville, Jan. 2g, 1863.
Charles Montague; 5th I., Co. A. Richmond, April 25, 1865.
Moses F. Monroe; 5th I., Co. E. Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865.
Wm. R. Nelson; 102d Col'd, Co. D. Orangeburg, S. C, June 30, 1865.
Hendricus Nyland; 8th I., Co. D. Andersonville prison, Aug. 8, 1864.
Harvey Olmsted; 2d C, Co. C. Severnville, Tenn., Jan. 27, 1864.
Noah Perkins; E. & M., Co. D. Lou., March 15, 1862.
Walter C. Palmer; 15th I., Co. C. Shiloh, April 6, 1862.
Peter E. Peiffer; 3d I., Co. I. Sept. 5, 1861.
Isaac Polton; 26th I., Co. B. Reams' Station, Va., Aug. 25,-1864.
Charles M. Prindle; E. & M., Co. I. Wilmington, N. C, March 16, 1865.
Fayette Porter; 9th I., Co. H. W. Point, Ky.
Wm. Perry; 5th C, Co. B. Washington, June 15, 1864. ^
George Platte; 10th C, Co. A. Knoxville, Sept. 1, 1864.
Samuel S. Phillips; 3d I., Co. I. Georgetown, Sept. 5, 1861.
Rence P. Polsmer; 8th I., Co. D. 1863.
William Roon; 9th C, Co. C. Knoxville, April 3, 1864.
Daniel H. Rose; 10th C, Co. K.
Lewis A. Rich; E. & M., Co. H. Carterville, Aug. 16, 1864.
John Rechburg; 3d I., Co. B. Groveton, Aug. 29, 1862.
Arie Rot; 25th I., Co. I. Lou., Nov. 22, 1862.
Cyrus R. Reynolds; 2d C, Co. E. Chapel Hill, Oct. 8, 1862.
James P. Rowland; 1st Lt. Art., Co. D. Murfreesboro, Jan. 20, 1865.
Charles C. Randall; 3d I., Co. B. Harper's Landing, Aug. 3, 1862.
Lewis I. Rogers; E & M., Co. I. Savanna, Jan. 10, 1865.
Walter T. Rice; 21st I., Co. G. Lou., Jan. 4, 1863.
Eldert Reenders; 21st I., Co. G. Nashville, 1863.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 327
Richard Robinson; 21st I., Co. G.
John Rowlings; 3d I., Co. E. Nashville, June 1, 1865.
Louis L. Reed; 9th I., Co. H. Murfreesboro, 1862.
\Vm. T. Smith; 5th C, Co. G. Salis., N. C, Oct. 28, 1864.
Geo. S. Sears; 3d I., Co. C. Nashville, April 8, 1865.
Elmer Spencer; 2d C, Co. D. New Madrid, April 22, 1862.
Henry Shannon; 21st I., Co. G. At home, March 5, 1865.
Wm. S. Sampson; 21st I., Co. D. Savanna, Jan. 26, 1865.
Albert Simmons; 17th I., Co. B. Andersonville prison, Aug. 22, 1864.
Elijah Sweatland; 1st Ind. Co. Detroit, Oct. 7, 1864.
Jehiel Scales; 21st I., Co. C. Chattanooga, March 2, 1864.
Timothy Sweet; 21st I., Co. B. Louisville.
Nelson J. Saddler; 14th I., Co. P. Detroit, July 7, 1864.
Wm. Schilling; 2d C, Co. D. Nashville, Nov. 13, 1863.
Jerry Sullivan; 3d I., Co. C. Mine Run, Nov. 30, 1863.
Eli W. Syers; 10th C, Co. C. Knoxville, June 21, 1864.
Louis Sharatts; E. & M., Co. K. Ringold, Ga., July 19, 1864.
Eleazur Smith; 1st Lt. Art., Co. K. Lookout Mt., Aug. 1. 1864.
George Spencer; 3d L, C. I. Sept. 10, 1862.
Jacob Stansbury; 2d C, Co. D. St. Louis, April 8, 1862.
Joshua Stoddard; 21st I., Co. G. Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Sylvester Smith; 1st Sharp-shooters, Co. A. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Eli J. Swere; 21st I., Co. E. Lou., Nov. 18, 1862.
William Scott; 0th I., Co. E. Chattanooga, March 14, 1865.
James Scott; Quarter Master. ¦ Accidental.
Zenas Sweet; 21st I., Co. G. Nashville, January 30, 1863.
Jacob Scheppers; 13th I., Co. D. Nashville, November 21, 1862.
Wm. Smith; 3d I., Co. I. Har. Land., July 17, 1862.
Stephen Scales; 3d I., Co. I, April 30, 1862.
Jack Somerville; 102d Colored Troops, Co. I. April 30, 1862.
Wm. Skeels; E. and M., Co. H. Newbern, N. C, April 15, 1865.
Alonzo D. Smith; 7th C, Co. A. Jefferson Barracks, June 2, 1865.
Geo. W. Smith;- 2d C, Co. D. Franklin, Tenn., June 4, 1863.
Peter Ver Shure; 25th I., Co. I. Tebb's Bend, Ky., July 4, 1863.
Stephen Smith; 5th G, Co. B. Brandy Station, October 12, 1863.
Reuben Toogood; 21st I., Co. G. Nashville, January, 1863.
Calvin Tillotson; E. and M., Co. K. Chattanooga, June 11, 1864.
Robert F. Thompson; 25th I., Co. I. Holland, Mich., October 3, 1864.
Frank Tate; 3d I., Co. I. Washington, September 1, 1862.
Wm. Tate; 3d I., Co'. I. Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.
Owen Trumbull; 3d I., Co. I. May 18, 1862.
Nathan R. Tomplrins; 1st Sharp Shooters, Andersonville Pris., May 24,
1864.
Wm. J. Tuffs; 6th <!., Co. B. At home, May 22, 1865.
John M. Taylor; 3d I., Co. I. Camp Bullock, Va., March 25, 1864.
Cornelius Van Dam; 25th I., Co. I. Resaca, Ga., August 14, 1864.
Benj. Vanhaltren; 2d C, Co. D. Lou., Nov. 17, 1862.
Wulf Van Appledorn; 25th I., Co. I. Knoxville, Nov. 2, 1863.

328 MEMORIALS OF THE
Walter Vannil; 8th 1., Co. E. Washington, July 20, 1864.
Adrianus Vandertank; 8th I., Co. D. Wilmington I., Ga. April 16, 1862.
John Vanderbury; 1st Sharp Shooters. Danvillle, Va.
Gilbert Vanderhoof: 3d I., Co. I. Nashville, June 7, 1865.
Orrin Whitcomb; 14th I., Co. F. Nashville, March 15, 186*.
Capt. Benj. K. Weatherwax. Killed at Walanga Bridge, Tenn., April 25,
1864.
Stephen B. Walker; 8th I., Co. D. Middletown, November 2, 1862.
Edward Watson; 3d I., Co. I. September 1861.
Wm. F. Wells; E. and M., Co. K. Jeffersonvile, Ind., December 2. 1864.
Robert Watson; 10th C, Co. D. Germantown, N. C, April 10, 1865.
Charles Whitehead; 3d I., Co. F. Nashville, April 11, 1865.
Walter Waine; 13th I., Co. I. Stone River, December 31, 1863.
Daniel A. Young; 28th I., Co. C. Lincolnton, N. C, August 4, 1865.
Alonzo D. Yeomans; 10th C, Co. C. Knoxville, November 3, 1864.
Henry Zwol; 21st I., Co. G. Nashville, January 3, 1864.
MUSKEGON COUNTY.
Andrew Allen; 2d C, Co. E. Rienzi, Aug. 18, 1862.
Lewis Brandis; 5th I., Co. A. June 22, 1864.
Geo. M. Belden; 26th I., Co. C. Salisbury, Feb. 1, 1865.
Lewellen Brewer; 10th C, Co. A. Somerset, Ky., Feb. 8, 1864.
Fithil Bail; 5th I., Co. I. Washington, May 17, 1864.
Lamson J. Bonner; 3d I.. C. F. Wilderness, May 6, 1864.
Martin Biber; 3d I., Co. H. Wilderness, May 6, 1864.
Joseph Belden; 26th I., Co. C. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Edwin Barr; 26th I., Co. C. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Geo. W. Ban-; 25th I., Co. C. In Canada.
Peter G. Archer; 3d I., Co. H. Groveton.
Fithil Barl; 3d I., Co. C. Wilderness.
Charles F. Brittain; 3d 1., Co. H. Yorktown, Aug. 14. 1862.
Geo. A. Bennett; 3d I., Co. H. Frederick, Md., Aug. 10, 1863.
Francis M. Bunce; 9th I., Co. B. Nashville, July 26, 1865.
James S. Cooper; 26th I., Co. C. Salisbury, N. C, Nov. 10, 1864.
Lorenzo W. Cook; 1st Lt. Art., Co. K. Chattanooga.
John Colby; 0th I., Co. B. Nashville, April 8, 1865.
Alonzo Corbin; 21st I., Co. H. New York, March 12, 1864.
Leonard Deitrich; 5th I., Co. I. June, 1864.
Heman Deitrich; 3d I., Co. I. Of wounds, June 2, 1882.
Joseph Dohm; 14th I., Co. E. 2d Div. Hospital, Nov. 24, 1864.
Abraham Decker; 3d I., Co. B. Victoria, Tex., Aug. 24, 1865.
John Eddie; 5th I.. Co. I. Washirgtm, May 12, 1864.
Fernando F. Fulford; 3d I., Co. H. Wilderness, May 6th, 1864.
Benj. Fetterly; 15th I., Co. F. Atlanta, Aug. 5, 1864.
Adolph Friday; 5th C, Co. F. Yellow Tavern, Va., May 11, 1864.
Wm. Furgerson; 3d I., Co. H. Washington, Sept. 30, 1862.
Benj. Forbear; 26th I.. Co. C. Yorktown, March 21, 1863.
George Garner; 3d I., Co. H. Fair Oaks.
Johannes Gabrielson; 5th C, Co. F. Richmond, April 6, 1864.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 329
John George; 3d I., Co. H. Groveton, August 29, 1862.
Francis Geager; 26th I., Co. C. Washington, July 6, 1864.
Malcom I. Gillis; 3d I., Co. H. Georgetown, August, 1861.
George Hilton; 2d C, Co. E. St. Louis, June 22, 1862.
Chauncey Hayes; 6th C, Co. H. Andersonville Prison, June 29, 1864.
Samuel Hall; 26th I., Co. C. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Samuel Hamblen; 3d I., Co. F. Spottsylvania, May 6, 1864.
Vandalin Hoag; 2d C, Co. E. Rienzi, August 5, 1862.
Cornalius N. Johnson; 3d I., Co. C. Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 1, 1865.
Laurens Jenson; 5th C, Co. F. Richmond, Va., April 6, 1864.
Geo. W. Johnson; 21st I., Co. H. Dansville, Va., (in prison), Jan., 1864.
John Knoll; 26th I., Co. C. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Adam Kolbe; 3d I., Co. C. Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
Marion C. Knight; 26th I., Co. C. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Wm. W. McKerman; 3d L. Co. H. Washington, July 6, 1862.
James McKey; 9th I., Co. H. In Camp, Ohio, August, 28, 1862.
Henry Koon; 14th I., Co. F. Ypsilanti, Sept. 10, 1862.
Charles Klunder, Jr.; 5th C, Co. F. Winchester, Sept. 21, 1864.
Yans Kenudson; 3d I., Co. H. In Camp, Mech., Va., Jan. 30, 1862.
Martin Larson; 3d C, Co. H. Duvall's Bluff, Sept. 8, 1864.
John Lee; 26th I., Co. C. Salisbury, N. C, Feb. 18, 1865.
Fdwin H. Lauback; 2d C, Co. E. Booneville, July 12, 1862.
Elijah W. Loomis: 10th C, Co. A. Somerset, Ky., March 6, 1864.
Jamss Lavelle; 3d I., Co. H. Fair Oaks.
James Lee; 2d C, Co. E. June 19, 1862.
Wm. M. Miller; 26th I., Co. C. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
E. R. Morrison; 6th C, Co. C. Wilderness, May 6, 1864.
Francis 0. Mennott; 26th I., Co. C. Cold Harbor, Va., June 6, 1864
Wm. Milne; 3d I., Co. H. Washington, Nov., 1862.
Ira S. Mead; 2d I., Co. H. Of wounds, received June 18, 1866.
Charles Matham; 2d C, Co. E. Nashville, May, 1864.
Lawence Millett; 21 C. Co. E. Rienzi, July 5, 1862.
John McGuire; 5th C, Co. F. Dinwiddie, Va., April 8, 1865.
AVm. McGinnis; 28th I., Co. C. Alexandria, Va., Feb. 24, 1863.
John McPherson; 21st I., Co. H. Bent., N. C, March 19, 1865.
Christopher Martin; 26th I., Co. C. Nov. 19, 1864.
Abraham Napes; 2d C, Co. E. St. Louis, March 31, 1862.
Ira Nash; 26th I., Co. I., Alexandria, Va., Jan 25, 1863.
Thomas O'Hearn; 5th I., Co. E. June 16, 1864.
Marquis W. Orton, 14th I., Co. F. June 9, 1862.
Nelson Oleson; 2nd C, Co. E. June, 1864.
James O'Niel; 3rd I., Co. H. Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.
Oliver E. Perry; 1st Sharp Shooters, Co. B., July 25, 1864.
Peter Ryan; 2nd C, Co. E. St. Louis, Feb. 6, 1862.
Geo. Read; 10th C, Co. H. Knoxville, April 29, 1864.
James Root; 2d C, Co. E. Hamburg, Tenn., May 26, 1862.
Geo. Root; 3rd I., Co. H. Alexandria, Va., Dec 20, 1861.
Ole Swinson; 21st I., Co. B. Lookout Mountain, Oct., 1864.

330 MEMORIALS OF , THE
Simeon Sickman; 5th C, Co. F. Washington, Nov. 1, 1863.
A. W. Sperry; 26th I, Co. C. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1264.
Nelson W. Shepard; 26th I., Co. C. Salisbury, N. C, Dec. 18, 1864.
John Sweeney; 3d. I., Co H. Fair Oaks, June 9, 1862.
Charles E. Smith; 5th C, Co. F. Stevensburgh, Va., March 12, 1864.
Charles W. Stanton; 7th C, Co. A. Cumberland, Md., June 5, 1865.
Claudius Steele; 3d I., Co. F. Camp Sickles, May 15, 1863.
David Stone; 3d I., Co. H. Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862.
Seth R. Simons; 3d I., Co. H. Georgetown, July 22, 1862.
Rufus W. Seaman; 13th I., Co. G. David's I., N. Y., May 1, 1865.
Franklin Shippey; 14th I., Co. E. Sister's Ferry, Ga., Feb. 3, 1865.
Stephen Simonson; 26th I., Co. C. N. Y., July 29th, 1863.
John Smith; 3d I., Co. H. Washington, Oct. 3, 1862.
John H. Tibbitts; 26th I., Co. C. Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
A Twitchell; 26th I., Co. C. Cold Harbor, June 6, 1864.
Ambrosial Thompson; 26th I., Co. C. Suffolk, Va., June 11, 1863.
Jesse Vanhaltrim; 2d C, Co. D. Andersonville prison, May, 1864.
Wm. H. VanScotan; 6th C, Co. K. Andersonville prison, Aug. 18, 1864.
Charles Verne; 26th I., Co. C. W. Oak Swamp, Va., Aug. 25, 1864.
Eli Wright; 5th I., Co. A. Petersburg, Sept. 12, 1864.
Lewis Willeys; 2d C, Co. E. Louisville, Nov. 16, 1862.
Geo. W. Wilson; 26th I., Co. C. Spottsylvania, May 12th, 1864.
Henry F. Wheaton; 6th C, Co. H. Winchester, Va., Nov. 18, 1864.
Lysander Williams; 26th I., Co. C. Washington, July 21, 1864.
David H. Wright; 26th I., Co. C. Port Royal, Va., May Vi, 1864.
Owen H. Young; E.- & M., Co. D. Camp Ohio, May 14, 1862.

The following note, received by the author in. answer to the
call for information, tells a sad story: " Cascade, May 31st, 1875.
"Mr. Everett:
"Sir: — I had three sons only at the beginning of the war. Amos M.,
whose name I see on your published hst. Edgar W. was wounded at the
battle of Chickamauga; died of his wounds at Chattanooga, Oct. 16th, 1873.
He was captain of Co. D., 21st Michigan. Erson H. died in Libby prison,
Sept. 12th, 1863, from sheer neglect and want of food. Such was the dread
sacrifice in my family in the bloody struggle for right and humanity.
"H. B. Smith."
MEN FOR THE WAR.
IONIA COUNTY, 1862.
Volunteers, 1,181; distributed as follows:
1st Inf., 2; 2d Inf., 2; 3d Inf., 175; 7th Inf., 1; 8th Inf., 9; 10th Inf., 141;
13th Inf., 21; 14th Inf., 5; 15th Inf., 22; 16th Inf., 98; 21st Inf., 300; 25th
Inf., 71; 26th Inf., 9; Eng. & Mec, 56; 1st Cav., 31; 2d Cav., 12; 3d Cav.,
51; 5th Cav., 7; 6th Cav., 104; 3d Battery, 2; 5th Bat., 4; 8th Bat., 1;
Sharp-shooters, 54.

GRAND RIVER VALLEJT. 331
KENT COUNTY, 1862.
Whole number of volunteers in the field, 2,039, distributed as follows:
1st Inf., 18; 2d Inf., 1; 3d Inf., 377; 4th Inf., 1; 5th Inf., 1; 6th Inf., 1;
7th Inf., 1; 8th Inf., 82; 9th Inf., 1; 13th Inf., 52; 14th Inf., 96; 15th Inf.,
13; 16th Inf., 9; 17th Inf , 1; 21st Inf., 296; 25th Inf., SI; 26th Inf., 63;
Eng. & M. 225; 1st Cav., 20; 2d Cav., 186; 3d Cav., 45; 4th Cav., 53; 5th
Cav., 9; 6th Cav., 355; 2d Battery, 16; 3d Battery, 9; 5th Battery, 36j
Sharp-shooters, 47; Stanton Guard, 1.
Ottawa, 1862.— Whole, 628.— 1st Inf., 1; 3d Inf., 144; 8th Inf., 31; 9th
Inf., 13; 13th Inf., 3; 14th Inf., 38; 17th Inf., 1; 21st Inf., 124; 25th Inf.,
83; 26th Inf., 1; Eng. & Mec, 28; . 2d Cav., 88; 3d Cav., 2; 4th Cav., 5;
5th Cav., 82; 6th Cav., 25; Sharp-shooters, 9.
Muskegon, 1862— Whole, 352.— 1st Inf., 1; 3d Inf., 112; 8th Inf., 2;
10th Inf., 1; 14th Inf., 6; 15th Inf., 8; 17th Inf., 1; 21st Inf., 8: 26th
Inf., 80; Eng. & Mec, 1; 2d Cav-, 50; 3d Cav., 2; 4th Cav., 1; 5th Cav.,
57; 6th Cav., 22.
Total in the field, 4,200.
In 1863, Ionia county is credited 317 additional; Kent, 627; Ottaway, 260;
Muskegan, 47—934.
In 1864, Ionia County is credited: Volunteers, 568; Drafted, 13; Re-en
listed, 79. Total, 660.
Kent County is credited: Volunteers, 709; Drafted, 61; Re-enlisted,
354; in Navy, 10. Total, 1,134.
Ottawa County is credited: Volunteers, 297: Drafted, 20; Re-enlisted,
106; Navy, 4. Total, 427.
Muskegon is credited: Volunteers, 172; Drafted, 48; Re-enlisted, 29;
Navy, 6. Total, 225.
Aggregate of the four counties, 2,446.
In 1865, before April 14th, when recruiting ceased, Ionia County was
credited: Enlisted, 211; Drafted, 34; Total, 245.
Kent County: Enlisted, 191; Drafted, 115; Total, 306.
Ottawa County: Enlisted, 181 ; Drafted, 11; Navy.l; Total, 182.
Muskegon County: Enlisted, 64; Drafted, 2; Total, 66.
Total of the four counties, 799.
summary of the whole.
Ionia  '.2,403
Kent  ..4,016
Ottawa  1,497
Muskegon  690
Total  8.696

332 memorials of the
old third regiment.
On the first call for soldiers to resist tho action of the reb
els, Col. Daniel McConnell, who was in command of a regi
ment of amateur soldiers, was commissioned to raise a
regiment, to be known as the " Michigan Third Volunteers."
McConnell had had some military experience in the Mexi
can war, where he served as lieutenant. The camp was at the
Fair Grounds, south of the city of Grand Eapids.
The recruiting went on for a time, and the regiment Avas
fast filling up, when the order came on requiring the enlist
ment for three years, or during the war. This necessitated the
disbandment of the enlisted men, and a re-enlistment. Most
of those who had enlisted for three months, re-enlisted for
three years.
The regiment was hurried to Washington. It left Grand
Rapids, and proceeded by rail to the capital.
It was a new scene for the denizens of the Yalley to witness
the departure of its citizens as soldiers. The day was one long
to be remembered. The streets were thronged as the dusty
column moved to the depot. Flags were flying, handkerchiefs
were waving, and hats were dotted, as they moved along. At
the depot there were few tearless eyes. The compressed lips
of the soldier, as he bade adieu to the dear ones, there bidding
Mm " Good-bye," showed the strength of the purpose that had
nerved his soul. The feeling of all was well expressed by one
Avho, leaving wife and little ones behind, said to the writer:
" Not all the wealth and honors of earth could tempt me to
go, as I am going if it were not a dread necessity. But, be
ing as it is, they could not tempt me to stay back."
They went — the record that follows will show that they did
good service in the field. Its subsequent history is given in
the annual reports of the Adjutant-General, which are here
copied in full:
This regiment left Grand Rapids for the seat of war on the
Potomac, June 13, 1861, having upon its muster rolls the
names of 1,040 officers and enlisted men. There had been 123
added to this number on the first of July, 1862. The Third
was in action at Blackburn's Ford, July 18, 1861. It encamped

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 333
for the winter near Alexandria, with the Second and Fifth,
forming part of the same brigade, and was moved to the Pen
insula in March, where it served to the conclusion of that.
campaign. It fought at "Williamsburg, May 5th, at Fair Oaks,
May 30; at Glendale (or Charles City Cross Roads), June 30;
at Malvern Hill, July 1, and at Groveton (or Bull Run), Au
gust 29. Its losses at Fair Oaks were 30 killed, 124 wounded,
and 15 missing; at Bull Run 20 killed, and a large number
AA-ounded and missing. Its last return showed an aggregate
for the 30th of November, of 669, present and absent. It was
in Birney's Division of Stoneman'g corps of the army of the
Potomac, and had for its officers:
Stephen G. Champlin, Colonel, October 28, 1861.
Byron R. Pierce, Lt. Colonel, July 25, 1862.
Moses B. Houghton, Major, September 1, 1862.
James F. Grove, Surgeon, September 24, 1862.
Walter B. Morrison, Assistant Surgeon, August 1, 1862.
 ¦  , 2d Assistant Surgeon.
Elisha O. Stevens, Adjutant, January 1, 1862.
Robert M. Collins, Qr. Master, May 13, 1861.
Joseph Anderson, Chaplain, April 1, 1862.
Edwin S. Pierce, Captain, May 13, 1861 .
Stephen G. Lowing, Captain, October 28, 1861.
Israel S. Geer. Captain, December 26, 1861.
Israel C. Smith, Captain, January 1, 1862.
George E. Judd, Captain, June 23, 1862.
Simon Brennan, Captain, September 1, 1862.
William L. Lyon, Captain, October 20, 1862.
George W. Dodge, Captain, October 25, 1862.
Frederick A. Stowe, Captain, October 25, 1862.
Almon D. Borden, Captain, September 26, 1862.
Silas M. Pelton, 1st Lieutenant, January 2, 1862.
Joseph Mason, 1st Lieutenant, June 9. 1862.
Daniel S. Root, 1st Lieutenant, July 1, 1862.
Thomas I. Waters, 1st Lieutenant, August 5, 1862.
Benj. C. Tracey, 1st Lieutenant, September 1, 1862.
David C. Crawford, 1st Lieutenant, September 22, 1862.
Byron E. Hess, 1st Lieutenant, September 26, 1862.
Andrew Nickerson, 1st Lieutenant, October 20, 1862.
Alfred Pew, 1st Lieutenant, October 20, 1862.
Geo. W. Remington, 1st Lieutenant, October 25, 1862.
Charles H. Carey, 2d Lieutenant, October 28, 1861.
Theodore Hetz, 2d Lieutenant, January 2, 1862.
Thomas Tate, 2d Lieutenant, April 3, 1862.

334 MEMORIALS OP THE
Homer L. Thayer, 2d Lieutenant, June 9, 1862.
Miles S. Adams, 2d Lieutenant, July 1, 1862.
Peter V. Bergroon, 2d Lieutenant, September 1, 1862.
Calvin P. McTaggart, 2d Lieutenant, September 24, 1862.
Julius D. Fanger, 2d Lieutenant, September 26, 1862.
Geo. Hubbard, 2d Lieutenant, October 20, 1862.
James D. Bennett, 2d Lieutenant, October 25, 1862.
-.This regiment, on the 1st of November, 1862, left Edward's
Ferry, Md., and marching by "Warrenton, encamped at Fal
mouth, November 23d. Crossing the Rappahannock on the
13th of December, it was under fire three days at the first
battle of Fredericksburg, sustaining a loss of 9 in wounded.
Recrossing on the 15th, it occupied its former camp. Janu-
uary 20th, 1863, the regiment marched with its corps to Uni
ted States Ford, but without crossing the river, returned to
camp near Falmouth, where it lay until April 28th. Break-,
ing camp at that date, it crossed the Rappahannock May 1st,
at United States Ford, and moved up near Chancellor's House.
In the engagement at Chancellorsviile it sustained a loss of
63 killed, wounded and missing. Breaking camp again on the
11th of June, the regiment marched via Centreville, Edward's
Ferry and Frederick City, to Gettysburg, Pa,, over dusty roads
and during an intense heat. It was engaged in the actions of
the 2d and 3d of July, at Gettysburg, where its loss was 41
killed, wounded and missing. Having followed the retreating
enemy to Williamsport, it marched thence to Harper's Ferry,
crossed the Potomac and moved to Manassas Gap. It was
engaged at "Wapping Heights, but without loss. On the 17th
of August, the regiment proceeded to Alexandria, and from
there to New York, whither it had been ordered to aid in the
preservation of the public peace during the then pending draft.
Remaining there some days, it moved to Troy, N. Y., where
it was stationed two weeks. It then repaired to its brigade in
the Army of the Potomac, arriving at Culpepper September
17th. On the 11th of October, falling back across the Rappa
hannock by way of Auburn Heights, it had a slight skirmish
with the rebels, with a loss of 1 wounded. Moving thence by
Manassas and Centreville, it lay at Fairfax Station four days,
and thence moved forward to Catlett's Station, where it en-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 335
camped November 1st, 1863. The alterations and casualties
of the year were as follows :
Died in action or wounds, 28; died of disease, 18; discharged for disabil
ity, 168; discharged by order, 22; deserted, 20; missing in action, 27; offi
cers resigned, 9; officers dismissed, 2; wounded in action, 59; joined regi
ment, 22; present and absent November 1st, 1862,701; present and absent
November 1st, 1863, 467.
The regiment was in the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 3d Corps,
Army of the Potomac. It had the following officers:
Byron R. Pierce, Colonel, Jan. 1, 1863; lieut. col., July 25, 1862; maj.,
Oct. 28, 1861; capt., May 13, 1861.
Edwin S. Pierce, Lieut. Colonel, Jan. 1, 1863; capt., May 14, 1861.
Moses B. Houghton, Major, Sept. 1, 1862; capt., May 13, 1862.
James F. Grove, Surgeon, Sept. 24, 1862; 2d asst. surg., Aug. 15, 1862.
Walter B. Morrison, Asst. Surgeon, Aug. 1, 1862.
 , 2d Asst. Surgeon.
 ¦  , Adjutant.
Robert M. Collins, Quartermaster, May 13, 1861.
 ¦  . — , Chaplain.
Stephen G. Lowing, Captain, Oct. 28, 1861; 1st lieut., May 13, 1861.
Israels. Geer, " Dec. 26, 1861; 2d lieut., Aug. 1, 1861.
George E. Judd, " June 23, 1862; 1st lieut., Oct. 28, 1861; 2d
lieut.. Aug. 1, 1861.
Simon Brennan, Captain, Sept. 1, 1862; 1st lieut., Oct. 28, 1861; 2d lieut.,
Aug. 1, 1861.
Daniel S. Root, Captain, Feb. 5, 1863; 1st lieut., July 1, 1862; 2d lieut.,
Nov. 28, 1861.
Thomas J. Waters, Captain, March 25, 1863; 1st lieut., Aug. 5, 1862; 2d
lieut., Oct. 28, 1861.
Thomas Tate, Captain, March 28, 1863; 1st lieut., Sept. 1, 1862.
Benjamin C. Tracey, 1st Lieut., Sept. 1, 1862; 2d lieut., Jan. 1, 1862.
David C. Crawford, " Sept. 22, 1862; 2d lieut., July- 19, 1861.
Andrew Nickerson, " Oct, 20, 1862; 2d lieut., Aug. 5, 1862.
Alfred Pew, " " '< 2d lieut., May 21, 1862.
GeorgeW. Remington, " Oct! 25, 1862; 2d Kent., Sept, 22, 1862.
Theodore Hetz, " Jan. 1, 1863; 2d lieut., Jan. 2, 1862.
Homer L. Thayer, " March 25, 1863; 2d lieut., June 9, 1862.
Calvin P. McTaggert, "' March 28, 1863; 2d lieut., Sept. 24,
1862. JuKus D. Fanger, 2d Lieut., Sept. 26, 1862.
George Hubbard, •' Oct. 20, 1862.
Milton Leonard, " Feb. 5, 1863.
Rufus W. Skeels, " Feb. 21, 1863.
Jerome B. Ten Eyck, " March 30, 1863.

336 MEMORIALS OE THE
On the 7th of November, 1863, the Third Infantry moved
forward with the Army of the Potomac to Kelly's Ford, on the
Rappahannock, and thence marched to Brandy Station, on the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad, where it went into cam]).
On the 26th, the regiment took part in the Mine Run cam
paign, engaging the enemy on the 27th, at Locust Grove, and
on the 30th at Mine Run. Having fallen back with the army,
it again arrived at its camp at Brandy Station, on the 2d of
December, having lost during the movement 31 killed,
Avounded and missing. On the 23d of December, 180 of the
regiment re-enlisted as Yeteran Yolunteers. Returning to
this State, these Yeterans were given the usual furlough of
thirty days, at the expiration of which they returned to the
regiment. Crossing the Rapida.n at Ely's Ford, on the
morning of the 4th of May, 1864, the regiment advanced
and encamped at Chancellorsville. On the three following
days the regiment participated in the battles of the Wilder
ness, sustaining a heavy loss. It was also engaged at Todd's
Tavern, on the 8th. On the 12th, at Spottsylvania, it partic
ipated in the successful charge . of the 2d Corps, capturing a
number of prisoners and two rebel battle flags. Prior to this
engagement the Third was consolidated temporarily with the
Fifth Infantry. The regiment also took part in the engage
ment on the North Anna River; thence it marched to the
Pamunky, which it crossed on the 27th, and advanced toward
Cold Harbor. In addition to the engagements mentioned,
the Third also participated in a number of minor actions and
skirmishes. Its loss during the month of May was 31 killed,
119 wounded and 29 missing. On the 9th of June, at Cold
Harbor, Ya., the regiment, with the exception of the re-en
listed men, and such as had joined since the date of original
organization, and certain designated officers, were ordered to
proceed to this State for the purpose of being discharged. The
remaining officers and men were formed into a battalion of
four companies, and attached to the Fifth Michigan Infantry.
The order consolidating these regiments was confirmed by
special orders of the War Department, issued on the 13th of
June, 1864. On the 20th day of June, the organization,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

337

which had been one of the first in the field, was formally mus
tered out of the U. S. service.
The alterations and casualties from November 1st to date
of muster out, were as follows :
Died in action or of wounds, 35; died of disease, 6; discharged for dis
ability, &c, 166; transferred, 854; missing in action, 39; re-enlisted as vet
erans, 207. -,
This regiment was consolidated with the 5th Infantry, June
13th, 1864, and on the 20th the original organization was for
mally mustered out of service. During the war it was en
gaged as a regiment in tho battles and skirmishes named
below, up to and including June 7th. The- portion of it con
solidated with the 5th remained in service until the close of
the war, and participated in all the battles in which that regi
ment was engaged subsequent to its consolidation therewith.

BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.

Blackburn's Ford, Va., July 18, 1861.
Bull Run, " " 21, "
Siege of Yorktown, " April 4, to May
4, 1862.
Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862.
Fair Oaks, " " 31, "
Savage Station, " June 29, "
Peach Orchard, " "29, "
Glendale " " 30 "
White Oak Swamp, Va., June 30, 1862.
Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862.
Bull Kun, 2d, " Aug. 29, "
Chantilly, " Sept. 1, "
Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862.
Chancellorsville, Va., Mav 1, 2, 3,
1863.
Gettysburg, Penn., July 23, 1863.
Wapping Heights, Va., July 23, 1863.
Auburn Heights, " Oct. 1, "
Kelley's Ford, " Nov. 7, "
Locust Grove, " " 27, "
Mine Run, " " 29, "

Wilderness, Virginia, May 5, 7, 1864.
Todd's Tavern, " " 8,1864.
Po River, " " 10, "
Spottsylvania, " "12, "
North Anna, Va , May 23, 24, 1864.
Coal Harbor, " June 7, "
Petersburg, " " 16, 22, "
Deep Bottom,," July 27, 28, "
Strawberry Plains, Va., Aug. 14, 17,
1864.
Poplar Spring Church, Va., Sept. 30, ,
1864.
Boydton Road, Va., Oct. 27, 1864.
Hatcher's Run, " Feb. 2, Mar. 25,
1864.
Boydton Road, Va., April 3, 1864.
Sailor's Creek, " " 6, "
New Store, " " 8, '*
Appomattox Ct. House, Va., April 9,
1864.
Siege of Petersburg, Va., from June
17, 1864, to April 3, 1865.

EIRST ENGINEERS AND MECHANICS.
This regiment was one in which the Grand River Yalley was
deeply interested, having been raised by one of her citizens,
and largely composed'of men from that region.
The succinct history of the operations ofthe regiment, which
follows, is from the Adj. General's Reports. Appended is a
22

MEMORIALS OE THE

list of the officers of the regiment who belonged to the Grand
River region :

-«->¦

This regiment left its rendezvous at Marshall on the 17th of
December, 1861, for Louisville, with an aggregate force of
1032. Most of the varied service performed by it has been
by detachments, the regiment having been more or less sepa
rated most of the time since it entered upon duty. One of
these detachments, under Gen. O. M. Mitchell, comprised the
first Union troops to enter Bowling Green after its evacuation
by the enemy; another was at the battle of Chaplain Hills.
The regiment has been employed in the repair or re-opening
of railroads between Nashville and Chattanooga, Nashville and
Columbia, Corinth and Decatur, Huntsville and Stevenson,
and Memphis and Charleston, and has twice assisted in re
opening the road from Nashville to Louisville. During the
month of June, alone, it built seven bridges on the Memphis
and Charleston railroad, each from 84 to 340 feet in length,
(in the aggregate 2,758 feet,) and from 12 to 56 feet in height.
After the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, it was engaged eight
weeks in the construction of steamboat landings and crossings,
with only one day's rest.
From the 1st of November, 1862, to June 29th, 1863, this
regiment was stationed at Edgefield and Mill Creek, near Nash
ville, Lavergne, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and at a point near
Nashville, on the Tennessee and Alabama railroad. During
this time the regiment built nine bridges, a number of maga
zines, buildings for commissary, quartermaster aud ordnance
stores, and repaired and relaid a large amount of railroad
track. January 1st, while at Lavergne, the regiment was
attacked by a cavalry force numbering between three and four
thousand, Avith two pieces of artillery, under the rebel Generals
Wheeler and Wharton. The rebels retreated with considerable
loss, after having vainly endeavored to compel a surrender.
The loss of the regiment was 1 killed and 6 wounded. June
29th, the regiment received orders to move south from Mur
freesboro, to open and repair the line of the Nashville and
Chattanooga railroad. During July and August it was en
gaged in repairing the railroad from Murfreesboro to Bridge-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 339
port. , In July the regiment built five bridges, one of which,
over Elk river, was 460 feet in length, and one at Duck River
Crossing 350 feet in length. During September and October,
detached companies were employed in building a bridge at
Chattanooga, making pontoons for a bridge at Bridgeport, con
structing commissary buildings at Stevenson, building and
repairing bridges, &c, on lines of the Nashville and Chatta
nooga railroad, and the Nashville and NorthAvestern railroad.
October 31st, the headquarters of the regiment were at Elk
River Bridge, Tenn. During the year, in addition to the work
mentioned, the regiment got out a large amount of timber for
buildings, and a great number of railroad ties, and performed
a very large amount of repairing to railroad tracks, stations,
etc. This regiment, during the months of November and De
cember, 1863, and January and February, 1864, was employed
in building trestle work and bridges on the Nashville and
NorthAvestern Railroad, and in the construction of storehouses
and other buildings at Chattanooga and Bridgeport, for the
Quartermaster, Commissary, Ordnance and other Departments
of the Army. During a portion of the time, the battalion at
Chattanooga was employed in refitting saw mills. In March
and April a battalion was stationed a Chattanooga, where it
was engaged in running saw mills, and in getting out railroad
ties, building hospital accommodations, and in work on the
defenses at that point. Detachments from the other compa
nies were engaged in erecting block houses on the Tennessee
and Alabama, Nashville and Chattanooga, and Memphis and
Charleston railroads. During the month of May, the battal
ion at Chattanooga* remained at that place. Tavo companies
were employed at Bridgeport in erecting artillery block houses.
One battalion was stationed on the Memphis and Charleston
R. R., building block-houses from Decatur to Stevenson, and
two companies were at Stevenson completing the defenses of
the post. The two companies at Stevenson remained at that
point at work on the defenses up to the date of the last
monthly returns received, September 30th. In June, July,,
August and September, the regiment, with the exception of

340 MEMORIALS OF THE
one company at Chattanooga, one company at Bridgeport a
portion of the time and the two companies at Stevenson, were
engaged on the line of the Atlantic and Western Railroad,
building block-houses, getting out ties, repairing, etc. The
headquarters of the regiment on the 30th of September were
at Atlanta, Ga. The information as to the details of the
operations of the regiment during the year is too limited to
permit a more extended notice. The regiment is known to
have done a great amount of work, which was of much value
to the armies with which it has been connected.
On the 31st October, 1864, the original term of the regiment
expired, and such officers as desired to leave the service were
mustered out, also the enlisted men Avhose term of enlistment
had expired. The re-enlisted veterans, together Avith the re
cruits who had joined the regiment, enabled it to maintain its
full strength and organization entire. From the 1st to the
15th of November, the regiment, with the exception of com
panies L and M, was stationed at Atlanta, Ga., and was em
ployed in constructing defenses, destroying rebel works, depots,-
rolling mills, foundries, gas Avorks and other rebel property,
tearing up and rendering useless the various railroad tracks in
the vicinity. On the 16th Nov., attached to the 14th Army
Corps, it marched from Atlanta as a part of the Engineer force
of Gen. Sherman's Army, to Sandersville, Ga., thence moved
with the 20th Army Corps to Horse Creek, where it received
orders to join the 17th Corps, with which it marched to Savan
nah, reaching there December 10th. During the march the
regiment was required to keep pace with the movements of
the army, traveling over 20 miles a day, and during the time
was employed in tearing up railroad track, twisting rails, de
stroying bridges, repairing and making roads through marshes,
and building and repairing bridges. On the 10th and 11th
December, the regiment built a dam across the Ogeechee Canal,
under fire of the rebel batteries. From that time until after
the evacuation of Savannah by the enemy, the regiment was
constantly at work taking up railroad track and destroying the
rails of the several railroads leading out of the city, and in
constructing long stretches of corduroy road for passing and

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 341
re-passing wagon trains. On the 23d December it moved into
the city, an'd on the 28th commenced work on the fortifications
laid out by direction of Gen. Sherman. These works, con
structed by and under the supervision of the regiment, were
over two miles in length, and included several strong batteries
and lunettes. January 3d, 1865,- the regiment was again in
motion, inarching to Pooler's Station, to convert the railroad
into a wagon road, and again returning to Savannah. On the
26th it embarked on transports for Beaufort, S. C, and on the
31st started Avith the army on its march to Goldsboro, N. C.
The regiment moved with the 15th Corps to Banbury, S. C,
and thence with the 20th Corps to Columbia, then with the
17th Corps to Fayetteville, and thence to Goldsboro with the
20th Corps, where it arri ved on the 23d March. It is esti
mated that during this campaign, besides making and repair
ing a great distance of corduroy road, the regiment destroyed
and twisted the rails of thirty miles of railroad track, and
built eight or ten important bridges and crossings. At Edisto
the bridge was constructed under fire from the enemy's sharp
shooters. At Hughes, Little and Big Lynch Creeks, the
bridges and crossings were built by working in the night. At
the latter place the water was waist deep; and where a foot
crossing was made in one night nearly a mile in length, and
the next day the same distance was corduroyed for the army
trains to pass over. At Columbia the regiment was employed
in destroying factories and stores; at Cheraw, ordnance and
stores; at Fayetteville, the arsenal shops and stores.
Companies L and M, which had been detached from the
regiment early in the summer of 1864, and placed upon the
1 defenses at Stevenson, Ala., having completed these defenses,
which consisted of a system qf eight block houses, were re
tained in the Army of the Cumberland, to be employed on the
defenses of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, and on
the 28th Nov. were moved to Elk River Bridge, and stationed
in detachments along the line of the railroad, to Fort Rose-
crans, at Murfreesboro, engaged when not . interrupted by
Hood's army, in building block houses. During most of the
month of December, these detachments, except the one at Elk

342 MEMORIALS OF THE
River Bridge, were doing duty in Fort Rosecraus while Nash
ville and Murfreesboro were invested by the forces under Hood
and Forrest, and were engaged in completing and repairing the
works at the Fort. On the 15th December, a detachment of
Company L, with several companies of an Illinois regiment
Avhich had been sent out to assist in bringing in a railroad
train of provisions sent from Stevenson, Ala., were captured,
after six hours' hard fighting. Companies L and M left Mur
freesboro March 1st, 1865, to join the regiment, and proceeded
by rail via Louisville, Indianapolis, Crestline, Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia, to New York, where they took steamer to Beau
fort, N. C, and thence by rail to Newbern, joining the regi
ment at Goldsboro, on the 25th of March.
On the 10th of April General Sherman's army broke camp,
at Goldsboro, the regiment moving with the 20th Corps and
soon after reached Raleigh, where it remained until the nego
tiations were completed for the surrender of Johnston's army,
and on the 30th moved with the 17th Corps, on the inarch to
Washington, crossing the Roanoake River at Monroe, and
passing through the cities of Petersburg, Richmond and Alex
andria, Ya. On the 24th, the regiment passed in the revieAv
of the armies at Washington, and went into camp near George^
town, D. C. Early in June it was ordered to Louisville, Ky.,
to report to Major General Thomas, commanding the Depart
ment of the Cumberland, and was ordered to Nashville, Tenn.,
where it arrived July 1st. There the regiment was employed
upon the defenses until September 22d, when it was mustered
out of service and ordered to this State, arriving at the ren
dezvous, at Jackson, September 25th, and on the 1st of Octo
ber was paid off and disbanded.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.

Mill Springs, Ky., Jan. 19, 1862.
Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1862.
Siege of Corinth, May 10 to 31, 1862.
Perryville, Ky., Oct, 8, 1862.
Lavergne, Tenn., Jan. 1, 1863.

Chattanooga, Tenn., Oct. 6, 1863.
Siege of Atlanta,. Ga., July 22 to Sept.
2, 1864.
Savannah, Ga., Dec. 11 to 21, 1864.
Bentonville, N. C, March 19, 1865.

OFFICERS OF THE ENGINEERS AND MECHANICS FROM THE GRAND RIVER
VALLET.
Colonel— Win. P. Innis.
Surgeon — Wm. H. De Camp.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 343
Captains — Barkei Borden, resigned Feb. 14, 1862; Silas Canfield, resigned
July 12, 1862; Heman Parmerlee, resigned July 30, 1862; Wright L. Coffin-
berry, PerrinV. Fox. James W. Sligh, died from wounds, November 15,
1863; Lucius F. Mills, James D. Robinson, John W. McCrath, John W.
Williamson, Joseph C. Herkner, Wm. S. Nevins, Andrew B. Coffinberry.
First Lieutenants — John W. Williamson, James D. Robinson, Joseph C.
Huckner, Lucius P. Mills, Albert H. Kimball, resigned August 18, 1862;
Albert B. Culver, Henry F. Williams, William S. Nevins, Charles W.
Calkins, Albert Wells, Benjamin A. Colton, James M. SKgh, Wm. Betting-
house, Elias A. York, Albert B. Culver, resigned January 8. 1864.
Second Lieutenants — John W. McCrath, Edwin Baxter, honorably dis
charged for disability, February 16, 1864; William T. Hess, Albert B. Culver,
William. S. Nevins, Henry T. Williams, Charles S. Wooding, Lyman I.
McCrath. SIXTH CAVALRY.
The Sixth Regiment of Cavalry Avas organized at Grand
Rapids, under authority granted to Hon. F. W. Kellogg, by the
War Department, sanctioned by the Governor. It Avas rapidly
tilled and mustered into service on the 13th of October, its
rolls carrying the names of 1,229 officers and men. It left its
rendezvous on the 10th of December, 1863, taking the route
to Washington, fully mounted and equipped, but not armed!
It was placed in the army of the Potomac. Its list of officers
was as follows:
George Gray, Colonel; Russel A. Alger, Lt. Colonel; Thaddeus Foote,
Major; Elijah D. Waters, Major; Simeon D. Brown, Major; Daniel G.
Weare, Surgeon; David C. Spalding, Ass't Surg.; Hiram F. Hale, Adjutant;
Charles H. Patten, Qr. Master; Jacob Chapman, Commissary; Stephen S. N.
Greely, Chaplain.
Captains— Henry E. Thompson, Peter A. Weber, Wesley Armstrong,
David G. Royce, James H. Kidd, William Hyser, George A. Drew, Henry L.
Wise, Charles W. Deane, John T. Andrews. John Torrey, John M. Pratt.
First Lieutenants— Manning D. Birge, Warren C. Comstock, Edward Pot
ter, Seymour Stripman, Edward L. Craw, Don Carlos Batcheldor, Harrison
N. Throop, James H. Lobdell, Robert A. Moore, Peter Cramer. Phillip G.
Corey, Harvey H. Vinton, Wesley A. Green, Joshua W. Mann, Walter B. An
derson, Daniel Duesler; Frank Burr, Henry A. Stetson, L. Briggs Eldreclge,
Isaac Lamoreaux, Hiram F. Beals.
Second Lieutenants— Stephen H. Ballard, Charles E. Bolza, William
Creary Horace B. Rogers, Angelo E. Tower, Don G. Lovell, William Hull,
Horace H. Richards, John S. Joslyn, Lewis H. Jordan, James Mather, B.
Franklin Rockafellow, Thomas J. Sheers, Edward L. Tucker, Frank Sylves
ter. Henry D. Fields, Arthur Wood, Wm. W. Van Antwerp, Daniel West,
Thomas J. Parker, Aaron Rowe.

344 MEMORIALS OF THE
Sup. Second Lieutenants— James P. Rexford, Cyrus H. Fountain, Levi
Griffin, Geo. Landon.
With the exception of a skirmish with Wade Hampton's
division of Cavalry at Stevensburg, Ya., in the early part of
November, and several demonstrations on the enemy's lines
on the Rapidan at " Raccoon," " Summerville " and " Mor
ton's " Fords, in which the regiment participated, no active
duty was assigned to the Sixth Cavalry from the 1st of No
vember, 1863, to the latter part of February, 1864. On the
28th of February, leaving camp at Stevensburg, it started on
the cavalry raid to Richmond, under General Kilpatrick. Its
Division being attacked near Mechanicsville on the night of
the 2d of March, it was obliged to retire, a portion of the
Sixth Cavalry forming a part of the rear guard. Having suc
ceeded in joining the forces at New Kent C. II., the regi
ment moved down the Peninsula, and embarking on trans
ports, proceeded to Alexandria, whence it returned to its for
mer-camp at Stevetisburg. On the 18th of April, its brigade
was transferred to the 1st Cavalry Division, and during the
ensuing campaign was known as the 1st Brigade of that
Division. The camp was moved to Culpepper, where, on the
3d of May, companies M and I, which had been operating in
the Shenandoah during the past year, rejoined the regiment.
On the 6th, near Chancellorsville, the command became en
gaged, the enemy making desperate efforts to drive it from its
position without success, the rebels being reputed at all points
and finally driven from the field in great disorder. On the 7th,
the regiment was engaged in skirmishing. On the 8th, the en
tire corps was massed, and on the morning of the 9th, under
Gen. Sheridan, started on the raid to the rear of the rebel
army, the 1st Brigade being in the advance. Arriving at Bea
ver Dam Station, the command captured three trains laden
with supplies and two locomotives. In addition to these a
large amount of stores, a considerable number of arms and
tents were captured. After supplying the command, the re
maining property, valued at several millions of dollars, was de
stroyed. A portion of the Yirginia Central R. R. track avp.s
also torn up. On the the 11th, the brigade participated in the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 345
engagement Avith the enemy's cavalry at Yellow Tavern, where
the latter were routed and driven from the field. On the 12th the
regiment dismounted, and crossed on the ties of the railroad
bridge in the face of a heavy fire of musketry and artillery,
and assisted in driving the enemy from their works at Meadow
Bridge. The next day the command marched to Bottom's
Bridge, whence, on the 14th, it proceeded to Malvern Hill and
opened communications with our forces on the James River.
On the 17th, the command started on its return to the army.
At Hanover Court House it destroyed tressel bridges, a portion
of the railroad track and telegraph line, and captured commis
sary stores, rejoining the Division at the White House on the
21st, Avhere it crossed the Pamunky. On the 25 th, the com
mand joined the army of the Potomac at Chesterfield Station.
On the 26th the regiment marched with the brigade to the
Pamunky, which it crossed, and on the next day engaged the
enemy, routing them with a heavy loss. The brigade marched
on the 28th to Hawes' Shop, and thence down the Richmond
road, where finding our cavalry engaged, the command partic
ipated in the action. The Sixth took part in a decisive charge
on the enemy's lines, driving the rebels from their position
and compelling them to leave the ground strewn with their
dead and wounded. The loss of the regiment Avas very severe.
Out of 140 men engaged, one-fourth were killed or wounded
in less than ten minutes. The battle was fought in thick
woods Avith the men dismounted. Engaging in the raid of
Sheridan's forces toward Gordonsville, the regiment on the
11th of June participated in the battle of Trevillian's Station,
charging the enemy repeatedly and capturing many prisoners,
most of whom, however, were recaptured. From the time it
crossed the Rapidan on the 5 th of May, to the date of its
crossing the James, June 28th, the loss of the regiment was 29
killed, 60 wounded and 64 missing, a total of 153. On the 3d
of August the Sixth embarked on transports and moved to
Washington, thence marched to Halltown, where it arrived on
the 10th. On the morning of the llth, the regiment marched
beyond Opequan Creek, towards Winchester. A battalion of
the regiment became engaged and repelled a charge of the

346 MEMORIALS OF THE
enemy, saving a Union battery from capture. On the 15th the
command moved to Cedarville, and on the following day one
battalion participated in. the repulse of rebel infantry and cav
alry that had attacked in force the camp of the 1st Division
near Front Royal. In a charge this battalion captured a num
ber of prisoners. On the 25th, the regiment participated in the
engagement at Kearneysville and Shepardstown. Being cut
off from the main body and nearly surrounded by the enemy,
the command retired across the Potomac, whence it returned
to the South side of the river via Llarper's Ferry. From the
25th of August to the 15th of September, the regiment was
actively employed. It took part in the engagements at " Lee-
town " and " Smithfield," made several reeonnoissanc.es in
which the enemy Avere encountered, served as Gen. Sheridan's
escort, engaged in the pursuit of Mosby's guerrillas,' and par
ticipated in all the marches and countermarches that occurred
during this period of the Shenandoah campaign. On the 19th
of September, the Sixth, at SeA'er's Ford, on Opequan Creek,
charged across an open space in the face of a galling fire from
the enemy, who were strongly, posted behind breastworks.
Driving the enemy before it, the regiment moved to near
Winchester, where it participated in several charges on the
rebel infantry and cavalry; assisted in breaking their lines and
in capturing prisoners, artillery and rebel colors. Of the for
mer the regiment captured more than its entire number en
gaged. From the 19th to the 23d, the Sixth was engaged in the
pursuit of the enemy. On the 24th, it came upon Wickham's
brigade of rebel cavalry in the Luray Yalley, charged and
assisted in routing them. On the 26th, the regiment crossed
the Shenandoah at Fort Republic and skirmished with the en
emy, but finding them in force, withdrew. It remained in the
vicinity of Port Republic, Cross Keyes and Mt. Craw
ford until the 6th of October, when it fell back with our
troops to Timbersville, on the 7th to Woodstock, and on the
8th to Fisher's Hill. The enemy keeping up an annoying
pursuit, the Sixth, supported by the Seventh (Mich.) Cavalry,
turned upon the enemy and drove them upon the run back to
Woodstock. The regiment, Avas also engaged in action on the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 347
9th, charging and routing the force opposed to it. Going into
camp at Cedar Creek, it remained there, with the exception
of a reconnoissance to Front Royal on the 15th, until the
battle of Middletown (or Cedar Creek) on the 19th of Octo
ber. In this action, the regiment participated. Having
repelled the rebel attacks, it charged and broke their lines,
capturing many prisoners and a stand of colors. The rebel
infantry opposed to it were routed. The regiment took part in
the pursuit to Woodstock, but returned to Cedar Creek, where
it was encamped October 31st, 1864. The regiment is (1864)
in 1st Division Cavalry Corps, Middle Military Division, and
and is commanded by Col. James PL Kidd.
On November 1st, 1864, this regiment was with the Cavalry
Corps of the Army of the Shenandoah, and lay at Camp Rus
sell, near Winchester, Ya., making preparations to go into
winter quarters, and was engaged in the usual picket service,
and in scouting, until the 27th of February, 1865, when it
formed part of the force with which General Sheridan made
his movement against General Early's army, and on the rebel
communications in the direction of Gordonsville and Rich
mond, and at that date moved Avith the cavalry corps towards
Staunton; and on the 8th of March the regiment participated
in an engagement with a part of the rebel cavalry under Gen
eral Rosser, near Louisa Court House, and assisted in routing
it, and in capturing the town, in which a large amount of prop
erty was destroyed, including the railroad depot, Avith rolling
stock and telegraph office. It also participated in taking up
the track and destroying the railroad property on the line of
the Lynchburg and Gordonsville railroad, and in the destruc
tion of the locks, aqueducts and mills on the line of the James
River Canal. The command having reached White House
Landing March 19th, in time to take part in the final battles
of the Army of the Potomac, soon after, with the cavalry
corps, took position on the left of the line of that army, and
and on the 30th the regiment became engaged with the rebel
cavalry, and assisted in driving them within their works at
Five Forks. It was also engaged with the enemy at the same
point on the 31st, and on, April 1st; and on the 2d, at the

348 MEMORIALS OF THE
South Side Railroad; and on the 4th, at Duck Pond Mills; on
the 6th, at the battle of the Ridges, or Sailor's Creek; and on
the 8th and 9th, at Appomattox Court House. After the sur
render of Lee, the rebel General Pickett, who was taken pris
oner in one of these engagements, spoke of a charge made, by
this regiment, Avhich he witnessed, as being the "braArest he
ever had seen." After Lee's surrender, the regiment moved
with the cavalry corps to Petersburg, Ya., and then made an
expedition into North Carolina; from thence it marched via
Petersburg and Richmond to Washington, D. C, and on the
23d of May participated in the revieAv of the Army of the
Potomac. Immediately thereafter, with the Michigan Cavalry
Brigade, it was ordered West, and proceeded by rail via the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and Ohio and Mississippi Rivers by
steamer, to St. Louis, and thence by steamer via the Missouri
River, to Fort Leavenworth. At that point it received orders
to cross the Plains, which produced much justifiable dissatis
faction in the command; bnt the regiment recollecting its no
ble record, and adhering to its former high degree of disci
pline, and faithful observance of orders, and keeping in view
the honor of its State, commenced its march across the Plains,
and inarched to Fort Kearney, thence to Julesbnrg, and from
there to Fort Laramie; at that point the regiment was divided
into detachments by order of General Connor; one to consti
tute a part of the " Left Column Powder River Expedition,"
one to remain at Fort Laramie, and the other to escort a train
to the Black Hills. The Powder River detachment, on reach
ing that point, found that the Indians, which it had been
sent in search of, had managed to escape, and while there it
built a fort, known as Fort Reno. On that expedition, Cap
tain O. F. Cole, of Co. <rG," lost his life; having heedlessly
strayed a long way from the column, he Avas surprised by In
dians, and shot to death with arrows. From this point a small
detachment of the command Avas sent to guard a train to Vir
ginia City, Montana, and falling in with a large Avar party of Ar-
rappahoe Indians, became surrounded by them, and were "cor
ralled" for tAvelve days, but finally succeeded in getting intelli
gence of their condition to Gen. Conner, when reinforcements

GRAND BIVER VALLEY.

349

were sent to their relief. Sergeant Hall, of Company " L," and
Private Evans, of Company " F," having volunteered, succeed
ed in carrying the intelligence referred to, a distance of fifty
miles, through a wild and to them unknown country, swarming
with hostile Indians, and thereby saved the detachment. On
the 17th of September, on orders issued by Major General
Dodge, the men of the regiment whose term of service did not
expire before February 1st, 1866, were consolidated with the
First Michigan Cavalry, and the regiment Avas then ordered to
Fort Leavenworth, and was there mustered out of service on
the 24-th of November, 1865, when it proceeded to Michigan,
arriving on the 30th of November at Jackson, when it was
paid off and disbanded.

BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.

Hanover, Va., June 30, 1863.
Hunterstown, Pa., July 2, 1863.
Gettysburg, " " 3, "
Monterey, Md., " 4, "
Cavetown, " " 5, "
Smithtown. " " 6, "
Boonsboro,' " " 6,. "
Harrerstown, Md., " 6, "
Williamsport, " " 6, "
Boonsboro, " "8, "
Hagerstown, " " 10, "
Williamsport, " " 10, "
Palling Waters, Md., July 14, 1863.
Snicker's Gap, Va.. July 19, 1863.
Kelly's Ford, " Sept. 13, "
Culpepper Ct. House, Va., Sept. 14.
1862.
Raccoon Ford, Va., Sept. 16. 1863.
White's Ford, " " 21, "
Jack's Shop, " " 26, "
James City. " Oct. 12, 1863.
Brandy Station. Va., Oct. 13, 1863.
Buckland's Mills, " " 19, "
Stevensburg, " Nov. 19, "
Morton's Foid, " "26. "
Richmond. Va., March 1. 1864.
Wilderness. Va., May 6, 7, 1864.
Beaver Dam Station, Va., May 9, '64.
Yellow Tavern, Va., May 10, 11, '64.
Meadow Bridge, Va., May 12, 1864.
Hanover, Va/,' May 27, 1864.

Hawes' Shop, Va., May 28, 1864.
Baltimore X Roads. Va.. May 29, '64.
Cold Harbor, Va., May 20. June 1, '64.
Trevillian Station, Va., June 11, 12,
1864.
Cold Harbor, Va.. July 21, 1864.
Winchester, " April 11. 1864.
Front Royal, " Aug. 16, "
Leetown, " " 25, •'
Shephardstown, Va. Aug. 26, 1864.
Smithfield, " " 29, "
Berrvvilie, " Sept. 3, •'
Snminitt, " " 4, "
Opequan, " " 19, "
Winchester. " " 19, "
Lurav. " " 24, "
PortRepubb'cVa., Sept. 26, 27, 28, '64.
Mount Crawford, Va., Oct. 2, 1864.
Woodstock, " ¦' 9, "
Cedar Creek, " " 19, "
Madison Ct. House. Va., Dec. 24, '64.
Louisa Ct. House, Va., March 8, 1865.
Five Forks, Va., March 30, 31, April
1, 1865.
South Side R. R., Va.. April 2, 1865,
Duck Pond Mills, " " 4, "
Ridges, or Sailor's Creek, Va., April
6, 1865.
Appomattox Ct. House, Va., April 9,
1865.
Little Laramie, D.Ter., Aug. 6, 1865.

MICHIGAN SEVENTH CAVALRY.
The Adjutant-General in his report of 1863, complains that
he has had no proper data; but simply says that two battal-

350 MEMORIALS OF THE
Jons left Grand Rapids for Washington, February 20th, 1862;
the remaining companies joining them in May; and gives the
following as the list of officers:
George Gray, Colonel; Henry E. Thompson, Lieut. Colonel;  — ,
Major; James H. Kidd, Major; George A. Drew, Major; Daniel G. Weare,
Surgeon; —  — , Assistant Surgeon; James Sleeth, 2d Assistant Surgeon;
Hiram F. Hale, Adjutant; Charles H. Patten, Quartermaster; Joel S. Shel
don, Commissary; Stephen S. N. Greely, Chaplain; William Hyser, Captain;
Charles W. Dean, Captain; Henry L. Wise, Captain; Harrison N. Shroop,
Captain; Harvey H, Vinton, Captain; Edward L. Craw, Captain; Manning
D. Birge, Captain; Daniel H. Powers, Captain; Jacob L. Greene, Captain;
Charles E. Storrs, Captain; Don G. Lovell, Captain; James Mathers, Cap
tain; Seymour Stripman, 1st Lieutenant; Robert A. Moon, 1st Lieutenant;
Edward Potter, 1st Lieutenant.
At the close of 1863,, the Seventh Cavalry was in the 2d
Brigade, 3d Division, Cavalry Corps, of the Army of the Poto
mac. On the first of November its officers were:
William D. Mann, Colonel; AUyne C. Lifhfield, Lieutenant Colonel; John
S. Huston, Major; George K. Newcomb, Major; Henry W. Granger, Major;
William Upjohn, Surgeon.
This regiment, on the 7th of November, 1863, joined in the
advance of the Army of the Potomac, toward the Rappahan
nock. On the morning of the 26th, it crossed the enemy's rifle
pits, near Morton's Ford, and moving forward captured pris
oners from the rear of the rebel column. It was employed on
picket duty until the 28th of February, when it started on the
*' Kilpatrick raid." On the afternoon of the 29th, it arrived at
Beaver Dam Station, on the Yirginia Central Railroad, after a
twenty hours' march, and assisted in burning the station and
destroying the track. Resuming the march, it arrived before
Richmond on the afternoon of the next day, and while on picket
during the night was attacked by a superior force. After a
desperate fight, being unsupported, it Avas obliged to retire,
with a loss in missing of 44, among whom were its command
ing officer, Lieut. Col. A. C. Litchfield, who was taken prisoner.
Having reached Yorktown, the command moved from thence
to Alexandria by transports, and marched to its former camp
near Stevensburg. On the 17th, the regiment, with its brig-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 351
ade, was transferred to the 1st Cavalry Division, and moved
its camp to near Culpepper. Entering the campaign of 1864,
with the army of the Potomac, it crossed the Rapidan on the
5th of May, and on the 6th and 7th AVas engaged with the
enemy's cavalry, at Tood's tavern, its loss in the action being
three wounded. Marching on the 9th, it took part with the
cavalry under Gen. Sheridan, in the movement on the enemy's
communications. It crossed the South Anna River on the
10th, and on the 11th participated in the battle of Yellow
Tavern, charging the rebel cavalry, and aiding in driving
them from the field. The loss ofthe regiment in the engage-
ment was 3 killed, 15 wounded, and 13 missing. Included
in the former was Major Henry W. Granger, commanding the
regiment. On the 12th, "the Seventh assisted in driving the
enemy from Meadow Bridge, and later in the day, from their
entrenchments near Mechanics ville, losing one man wounded.
It arrived at Malvern Hill on the 14th. Again joined the
army at Milford. On the 27th it engaged the rebel cavalry,
charging and driving one of their brigades several miles, cap
turing 41 prisoners and many horses. It took part in the
cavalry fight at Hawes' Shop, on the 28th, Avhere its loss was
4 killed, 10 wounded and 3 missing. On the next day it was
engaged in skirmishing at Baltimore Cross Roads, losing 2
wounded. On the 30th it took part in an attack on the
enemy's works at Cold Harbor. The rebel infantry attacking
the command on the 1st of June, it assisted in repelling their
assaults and holding them in check until relieved by our in
fantry. Its casualties were 2 killed and 2 wounded. Taking
part in the raid towards Gordonsville, the regiment was
warmly engaged on the 11th and 12th of June, at Trevillian
Station. On the former day, a few men of the regiment, re
captured from a larger force of rebels, a piece of artillery, that
had been taken from the Union forces. The casualties during
the two days' engagement were 2 killed, 27 wounded and 48
missing. Returning to the White House, it thence moved to
the James River and went into camp. On the 31st of July,
the regiment was ordered to proceed to Washington, and
thence to the Shenandoah Yalley. On the 11th of August,

352 MEMORIALS OF THE
with the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, it repelled an assault of the
enemy near Winchester. On the 16th, it participated in the
battle of Crooked Run, where, as they report, " One battalion
charged a brigade of rebel cavalry, entirely routing them and
capturing nearly 100 prisoners, many horses, equipments, etc."
The casaulties in this action were 1 killed, 11 wounded, and 7
missing. On the 25th. it was in the advance in a reconnoissance
to near Leetown. Becoming warmly engaged later in the
day, near Shepardstown, it lost 4AVOunded and 2 missing. The
brigade having been cut off from the main command, it
crossed the Potomac near Sharpsbtirg, and from thence re
turned, via Harper's Ferry, to the south side of the river. Its
division being attacked by infantry in force, on the 29th, the
regiment covered the retreat to Smithfield, losing two killed and
14 wounded. On the 3d of September, the regiment accompa
nied a reconnoissance to White Post, and on its return was
shelled by the rebels, and lost one killed and three wounded. On
the same day it made a reconnoissance to develop the force and
position of the enemy, losing one man wounded. On the 19th,
it participated in the battle of Opequan Creek. Charging
across Opequan Creek, and driving the enemy from its banks,
it advanced to near Winchester, where it joined in the charge
on the enemy's forces, driving them through the town. The
loss in the action was four killed, nineteen wounded, (among
Avhom, and mortally, was Lieut. Col. Melvin BreAArer, in com
mand of the regiment,) and two missing. On the 24th, the
regiment Avas engaged near Luray, driving the enemy in con
fusion, and capturing 60 prisoners and a number of horses, its
casualties being three wounded. On the 26th, 27th and 28th,
it Avas engaged in skirmishing with the enemy near Port Re
public. It engaged the enemy on the 8th of October, near
Woodstock, and on the 9th joined with the corps in routing
the rebel cavalry under Gen. Rosser. Its casualties were three
wounded. On the 19th of October, at Cedar Creek, the regi
ment Avas attacked while on picket. The enemy, breaking
through the infantry line on the left, struck the regiment in
the rear. It succeeded, hoAvever, in making its escape, and
during the remainder of the day was hotly engaged on the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 353
skirmish line until the final charge on the enemy was made, in
which it participated. In this charge it captured 100 pris
oners. Its loss was 4 wounded and 29 missing. It was en
camped near Middletown on the 31st of October, and was
engaged in picket duty at Buck's Ford, on the Shenandoah
River. The regiment Avas in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry
Corps, Middle Military Division. Its officers were as follows:
Allyne C. Litchfield, Colonel, March 1, 1864; Lt. Col., Nov. 14, 1862; Capt.
5th Cavalry, August 14, 1862.
George G. Briggs, Lieut. Colonel, Oct. 12, 1864; Major, May 19, 1864;
Capt, March 22, 1864; Adjutant, July 1, 1863; 1st Lt., October 15, 1862.
. Alexander Walker, Major, February 24, 1864; Captain, October 15, 1862.
Daniel H. Darling, Major, March 22, 1864;
Linus F. Warner, Major, October 12, 1864; " "
This regiment, on th& 1st of November, 1864, AVas with
General Sheridan's Army in the Shenandoah Yalley, and lay
at Camp Russell,. near Winchester, Ya., making preparations
to go into winter quarters, and engaged on picket duty, and
in making reconnoissance until Feb. 27th; 1865, when it broke
camp and moved with the cavalry corps, towards- Staunton,
Ya:, being the commencement of General Sheridan's cele
brated raid to the James River. On the 8th of March the
regiment became engaged with a portion of Rosser's Cavalry
near Louisa Court House, assisted in routing the rebel force,
and capturing the town,- in which was destroyed a large amount
of property; the railroad depot, with rolling stock and tele
graph office, was also destroyed. The. regiment also partici
pated in tearing up the track, and burning the railroad
property along the line of the Lynchburg and Gordonsville
Railroad, and in destroying and rendering useless the locks,
aqueduct and mills,, on the line of the James River Canal.
The command reached- White House Landing on the 19th of
March, and soon after, with the cavalry corps, joined the
Army of the Potomac and proceeded to- the left of the line.
On the 30th of March, the regiment became engaged with the
rebel cavalry ,-and assisted in driving them within their works
at Five Forks. The 31st of March and 1st of April it was
23

o

354 MEMORIALS OF THE
engaged with the enemy at Five Forks and on the 2d at the
South Side Railroad; on the 4th, at Duck Pond Mills; on the
6th, at the battle of the Ridges, or Sailor's Creek, and on the
8th and 9th at Appomattox Court House. After the surren
der of Lee, the regiment moved, with the cavalry corps, to
Petersburg, Ya., Avhere it remained for a short time, and then
went with the army into North Carolina. From thence it
marched to Washington, D. C, and participated in the review
of the Army of the Potomac on the 23d of May, and imme
diately thereafter with the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, was
ordered West, and proceeded by rail, via the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, and Ohio and Mississippi Rivers by steamer, to St.
Louis, and thence by steamer via the Missouri River, to Fort
Leavenworth, where it Avas ascertained that the destination
of the regiment was across the Plains, to the Rocky Moun
tains, to operate against the hostile Indians in that section
of the country, and orders were received to that effect.
These orders produced much justifiable dissatisfaction, indi
cating as they did that another arduous campaign was laid
out for the regiment, which, in. consideration of its past long
and faithful services, should have been spared it, especially as
this campaign was for an object foreign to that for which it
had entered the service — -the suppression of the Southern Re
bellion. But the regiment, remembering its noble record,
and adhering to its former high degree of discipline and sub
ordination, and having in view the honor of a State whose
troops had never disgraced it, obeyed the orders and com
menced its March across the Plains, reaching Camp Collins,
seventy miles west of Denver City, and at the base of the
Rocky Mountains, on the 26th day of July, a distance of 700
miles from Fort Leavenworth. The regiment was immediate
ly assigned to duty along the overland stage route, which was
at that time so thoroughly invested by hostile Indians as to
stop all coaches, mails and trains. The service rendered by it
was valuable, although laborious, succeeding in re-establishing
the transit of mails and passengers, and in , giving protection
to emigrants. About the first of November it was ordered to
transfer all the men of the command Avhose term of service

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 355
extended beyond the 1st of March, 1866, to the 1st Michigan
Cavalry, and then report at Denver City for muster out. By
this order, about 250 men were transferred, being mostly men
aa71io were recruited in the winter of 1864. On arriving at
Denver City, the regiment was ordered to Fort Leavenworth
for muster out. It started on the 7th of November, reaching
there in 26 days. Great injustice was done the regiment by
this order, as it directed that all Government horses should be
turned o\7er to the Quartermaster Department at Denver.
The command was consequently expected to march across the
plains on foot, at a time when snow was upon the ground, and
with only one wagon for each hundred men — insufficient to
carry their rations for three days, and through a country with
no settlements and almost entirely destitute of wood. A state
ment of the matter was made to Major Gen'l Upton, com
manding at Denver, who declined to make any further provis-
ison for transportation. Permission was obtained to alloAV
the men to hire their transportation in mule trains, of which
there were seAreral returning to Fort Leavenworth, and which
the Government might have hired.
The men paid for this transportation $25 each, from their
own private funds. At Fort Leavenworth the regiment was
mustered out, the final papers made, and then was ordered to
Michigan. It arrived at Jackson on the 20th, and was paid
off and disbanded on the 25th of December.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.

Thoroughfare Gap, Va., May 21, 1863.

Geenwich,

" " 30,

Hanover,

" June "

Hunterstown,

Penn., July 2,

Gettysburg,

O,

Monterey,

Md., " 4,

Cavetown

" " 5,

Smithtown,

" " 6,

Boonsboro,

" " 6,

Hagerstown,

" 6,

Williamsport.

" 6,

Boonsboro,

" 8,

Hagerstown,Williamsport,

" " 10,

" " 10,

Falling Waters,

" " 14,

Snicker's Gap,

Va., " 19,

Kelley's Ford,

" Sept. 13,

Culpepper Ct. House, Va., Sept. 14,
1863.
Raccoon Ford, Va., Sept. 16, 1863.
White's Ford, " " 21, "
Jack's Shop, " " 26, "
James City, " Oct. 12, "
Brandy Station, " " 13, "
Buckland's Mills, " " 19, "
Stevensburg, " Nov. 19, "
Morton's Ford, " " 26, "
Richmond, " Mar. 1, 1864.
Wilderness, " May 6, 7, "
Beaver Dam Station, Va., May 9, "
Yel low Tavern , Va. , May 10, 1 1 , "
Meadow Bridge, " " 12, "
Milford, " " 27, "
Hawes' Shop, Va., May 28, 1864.

356

MEMORIALS OF THE

Baltimore X Roads, Va., May 29, '64.
Cold Harbor, Va., May 30, June 1,
1864.
Ti-evillian Station, Va., June 11, 12,
1864.

Cold Harbor,
Winchester,
Front Royal,
Leetown, Shephardstown,
Smithfield, Berry ville,
Summitt,
Opequan,
Winchester, Luray,

Va., July 21, 1864.
" Aug. 11, "
" " 16, '

Sept.

25,
25, 29, 3,
4,
19, 19,
24,

Port Republic, Va., Sept. 26, 27, 28,
1864.
Mount Crawford, Va., Oct. 2, 1864,
Woodstock, " " 9, "
Cedar Creek, " " 19, "
Madison Ct. House," Dec. 24, "
Louisa Ct. House, " Mar. 8, 1865.
Five Forks, Va., Mar. 30, 31, April 1,
1865.
South Side R. R., Va., April 2, 1865.
Duck Pond Mills, " " 4, "
Ridges or. Sailor's, Creek, Va., April 6,
1865.
Appomattox Ct. House, Va., April 8,
9, 1865.
Little Laramie, D. Ter., Aug. 1, 1864.

TWENTY- FIRST INFANTRY.
The Twenty-First had its rendezvous at Ionia, and was re
cruited from the Fourth District, comprising the counties of
Barry, Ionia, Montcalm, Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, Ne
waygo, Mecosta, Mason, Manistee, Grand Traverse, Leelanaw,
Manitou, Osceola, Emmet, Mackinac, Delta and Cheboygan.
J. B. Welch, Esq., was appointed commandant of camp. The
regiment left its quarters on the 12th of September, 1008
strong, with orders to report at Cincinnati. It was immedi
ately pushed into Kentucky, and on the 8th of October bore
part in the engagement at Perryville, suffering in casualties,
24 wounded (1 mortally) and 3 missing. On the 30th of No
vember, the regiment returned an aggregate of 971, present
and absent. It, was reported in 1862 at Nashville, in Gen.
Rosecrans' army.
This regiment arrived at Nashville, November 10th, 1862,
and remained at that place until the general advance of Gen.
Rosecrans' army on Murfreesboro. The Twenty-first left
Nashville December 26th, with the army, and participated in
the five days' battle at Stone River. It sustained a loss in this
engagement, of 17 killed, 85 wounded, and 37 missing; a
total of 139. The regiment remained at Murfreesboro, em
ployed on picket duty, and as guard for forage trains, until
June 24th, when it advanced with the army on Tallahoma.
During July it was stationed at Cowan and Anderson Station,
on the Nashville and Cumberland railroad. Subsequently, it
occupied Bridgeport, under Gen. Lyttle, who commanded the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 357
brigade to which the Twenty-first was attached. September
2d, the regiment crossed the Tennessee, and advanced with the
corps of Maj. Gen. McCook, to Trenton, Ga., from whence it
crossed the mountains to Alpine, 30 miles from Rome, thence
made a forced march toward Chattanooga, between the moun
tain ranges, and came into line of battle at Chickamauga, Sep
tember 19th. The following day the regiment participated
in the battle of Chickamauga, sustaining a loss of killed, 11,
wounded 58, missing 35, prisoners 3; total, 107. Of the miss
ing, 21 were known to be wounded. Among the wounded
and captured was the colonel of the regiment, while the second
in command was killed. After the battle, the regiment moved
into Chattanooga.
At the battle of Chickamauga, the regiment was in the 2d
Division, 4th Corps. It has since been detached, and forms
part of the Engineer Brigade, under coir mand of Gen. Smith,
Chief Engineer of the Army of the Cumberland.
This regiment, was attached, after the battle of Chattanooga,
to the Engineer Brigade. It Avas stationed, until the 11th of
June, 1864, on the north side of the Tennessee river, near Chat
tanooga, and was employed in building a bridge over the river,
and in the erection of storehouses in Chattanooga. At the
above date, the regiment was ordered to Lookout Mountain,
Avhere it was engaged in building hospitals, running mills, and
in the performance of the usual picket duty, until the 20th of
September, when it was relieved from further duty with the
Engineer Corps. On the 27th of September, the regiment
left Lookout Mountain for Tullahoma, thence it proceeded to
Nashville. Joining the forces under Gen. Rousseau, it par
ticipated with them in the pursuit of the rebels under Gen.
Forrest, beyond Florence, Ala., returning to Florence on the
11th of October. On the 14th the regiment was ordered to
Chattanooga, and on the 18th to proceed to and garrison Dal-
ton, Ga. On the 30th of October, the regiment was relieved
at Dalton, and was ordered to join its corps. During the year
it has traveled between 480 and 500 miles.
The regiment is in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Corps,.
Army of the Cumberland.

358 MEMORIALS OF THE
SECOND CAVALRY.
This regiment, organized by Hon. F. W. Kellogg, at Grand
Rapids, left its camp at that place on the 14th of November,
1861, and took its route to St. Louis. Its muster in rolls con
tained 1,163 names, and its returns show that to the 1st of
July there had belonged to it 1,200 officers and enlisted, men.
It Avas s*„ati*ned during the winter at Benton Barracks, St.
Louis, leaving there in March to take part in the operations at
and about New Madrid and Island No. Ten. In May and
June, it was at Farmington, Miss., and remained in that State
until ordered to Louisville, in October. It has been actively
employed in usual cavalry service, and has done a large amount
of scouting and skirmishing. On the 31st of October, the
regiment had an aggregate of 794. Its last communication to
this department was dated at New Market, Ky., November 11.
During November, 1862, this regiment was stationed in
Kentucky. In December and January it participated in the
raid under Gen. Carter, into East Tennessee, severing the en
emy's communications and destroying his stores. During this
affair, which occupied twenty-two days, the regiment was en
gaged in several severe skirmishes. Soon afterward, it pro
ceeded to Louisville, and from thence, February 3d, to Nash
ville, Tenn. During February and March, it was stationed at
Murfreesboro and Franklin. It made many important recon-
noissances on the roads leading out of these places, and had
numerous skirmishes with the rebels.
In February, it was engaged on the 18th, near Milton ; on
the 19th at Cainsville, and on the 27th, near Spring Hill.
On the 4th and 5th of March, it had a severe skirmish with
the enemy, under Generals YauDorn and Forrest, on the
Columbia Pike, the regiment losing one killed, four wounded,
and one captured. From the 8th to the 12th, it participated
in an important reconnoissance, during which the enemy were
driven across Duck River. March 25th, it had a sharp encoun
ter with a large force of rebels under Stearns and Forrest,
killing and wounding a large number of the enemy, and cap
turing 52 prisoners and a number of Avagons loaded with arms,
ammunition and baggage, with a loss to the regiment of one

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 359
died of wounds, six wounded and two missing. On the 4th
of June, Avhile returning to Franklin from Triune, it had a
brisk skirmish, with a loss of two killed and three wounded.
Marching to Triune on the 6th, it remained at that point until
the advance of the army from Murfreesboro, when it moved
forward with the Cavalry Division to which it was attached.
On the 23d, it was engaged at Rover. On the 24th, it drove
the euemy through Middletown, and on the 27th, charged the
rebels into Shelbyville. On the 2d of July, it aided in driv
ing the enemy from Elk River Ford, and on the 3d, from
Cowan. In the early part of September, the regiment was
actively engaged in scouting, among the mountains near
Chattanooga, and in northern Georgia. Leaving Rankin's
Ferry, on the Tennessee, October 3d, the regiment participated
in the chase after the rebel cavalry under Gen. Wheeler, who
were then engaged in making a raid on the communications
of the army. During the pursuit of Wheeler, the regiment
crossed the Cumberland mountains, marching on the 3d, 4th
aud 5th of October, 103 miles, and on the 6th, 7th and 8th, 82
miles, the greater portion of the distance over rough and
mountainous roads. October 31st, the regiment Avas encamped
at Winchester. During the year it has killed and disabled a
large number of the enemy, and captured many prisoners,
horses, wagons, etc.
The regiment is in the 1st brigade, 1st Cavalry Division,
Army of the Cumberland.
At the commencement of the year, the Second Cavalry was
encamped at Winchester, Tenn., whence it proceeded on a for
aging expedition to Fayetteville, securing about 400 bushels
of wheat, 65 head of beef cattle, between 500 and 600 sheep
and a number of horses and mules, Leaving Winchester on
the 16th, the regiment moved, via. Shelbyville, Murfreesboro
and Milton, to Liberty, thence to Sparta, and over the Cum
berland Mountains and through Crossville, Kingston and
Knoxville, to Strawberry Plains, in East Tennessee, fording the
Holston River, and arriving at its destination on the 17th of
December. On the 23d, the regiment marched, via. NeAv
Market, to Dandridge, where, at daylight on the 24th, it par-

360 MEMORIALS OF THE
ticipated in an attack on a superior force of the enemy. The
fight lasted during the day, the Union forces falling back at
night to New Market. The loss of the regiment was 2 killed,
8 wounded and 10 taken prisoners. On the 25th, the regiment
encamped at Mossy Creek. It remained at and near this
place until the 14th of January, 1864, having on the 29th of
December a skirmish with the rebels, in which its casualties
were 1 killed, 1 wounded and 2 taken prisoners. On the 14th
of January, the regiment marched to Dandridgej and on the
17th skirmished with the enemy, who were advancing on
Knoxville under Gen. Longstreet. On the 19th, the regiment
fell back to Knoxville, and again crossing the Holston River,
it bivouacked on the 23d on Flat Creek, and on the 26th on
Pigeon River. Marching at midnight on the 26th, it partici
pated in an attack the next day on a brigade of rebel cavalry,
from whom it captured 3 pieces of artillery and 75 prisoners,
the loss of the regiment being 11 wounded and 2 missings On
the 4th of March the regiment arrived at Calhoun, and on the
12th at Cleveland, Tenn. On the 29th of March, three hun
dred and tAventy-eight of the regiment re-eulisted and Avere
mustered in as veteran volunteers. On the 14th of April
these veterans left Cleveland for Michigan, and on arrival at
Jackson were furloughed for thirty days. Breaking camp at
Cleveland on the 3d of May, the regiment moved with the
armj7 under Gen. Sherman on the Georgia campaign, and on
the 11th marched through Tunnel Hill to Dug Gap. It passed
through the Gap on the 13th, skirmishing with the enemy.
On the following day, while in advance, it lost in a skirmish,
1 killed and 3 Avounded. The regiment constructed breast
works at Tilton on the 15th, but the next day it crossed the
Coosa waters and continued the advance, arriving at Cassville
Station on the, 20th. On the 23d it forded the Etawah. In
successive skirmishes it lost 2 men wounded on the 24th, 2
more on the 26th, and on the 27th it lost 1 wounded and 2
missing; 5 men were also Avounded on the 28th. On the 2d
and 5th the regiment skirmished with the enemy on the Acls-
Avorth and Dallas road, and on the 17th reached the summit
of Lost Mountain. On the 29th of June the regiment moved

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 361
by railroad to Franklin, Tenn., Avhere it arrived on the 10th
of July. It was here joined by ;the re-enlisted men who had
returned to the State on veteran furlough. From the latter
date to the 29th of August the regiment was employed in
guarding the railroad from Nashville to Rutherford's Creek,
whence it marched to Nashville, and on the 30th moved out
on the Murfreesboro road in pursuit of the forces under the
rebel General Wheeler. Meeting the enemy twelve miles
from Nashville, it charged , and drove them several miles.
From this time to the 8th of September, the regiment was en
gaged in the pursuit of Wheeler's forces, skirmishing with
them near Campbellville on the 5th of September. On the
7th, the regiment arrived at Florence, Ala., and again returned
to Franklin on the 12th. On the 25th.it started from Franklin
in pursuit of the forces of Gen. Forrest, who was then engaged
in a raid through Tennessee, and on the 27th engaged them
during the day. The command marched, -via. Connersville,
Shelbyville and Tullahoma, to Winchester, thence by Nor
mandy, Lewisburg,: Shelbyville, Mooresville aud Tallerea, to
Florence, Ala., where it arrived on the 5th of October. On
the 7th, it. engaged the enemy on Cypress River, losing 2
killed, 3 wounded and 1 taken prisoner. The regiment then
marched by Pulaski, Rodgersville and Marmion, to Four Mile
Creek, Ala., where it encamped from the 17th to the 29th,
when the rebel army under Gen. Hood crossed the Tennessee.
The regiment Avas engaged during the remainder of the month,
Avith its brigade, in checking the rebel advances. .On the 3d,
it encountered the enemy, but was obliged to retire. On the
31st of October the regiment marched to Sugar Creek. Dur
ing the year the regiment marched over 1,364 miles, exclusive
of inarches Avhen on picket and patrol duty. :
The regiment was in the 1st Brigade, 1st Cav. Div., Army
ofthe Cumberland.
The regiment was serving in Tennessee, Oct. 31, 1864. On
November 1st, it marched from Blue Waters towards Shoal
Creek, Alabama, and Avas attacked by the enemy at that point
on the 5th, and after a gallant defense was forced back to Four
Mile Creek, sustaining a heaA7y loss. From the 9th to the 14th>

362 MEMORIALS OF THE \ i
it was in camp doing ordinary scouting and picket duty. On
the 15th it broke camp, and made a reconnoissance to the right
of its position, and encamped at Taylor's Springs, and remained
tliere until the 20th, when it marched to Lexington, Tenn.,
and on the 21st to Lawrenceburg, where it was attacked by the
enemy on the afternoon of that day, and fell back towards
Campbells ville and near Columbia, skirmishing at both these
points. The- 25th, it crossed Duck River, and the 28th, was
in line of battle near the Lewisburg Pike. On the 29th, it
retired to Spring Hill, and was engaged in skirmishing during
the day at that place and at Bethesda Church. On the 30th, it
Avas engaged at Franklin, fighting all day, sustaining a loss of
one killed, seventeen wounded and three missing. The regi
ment marched from near Franklin, December 1st, to within a
few miles of Nashville, and was in line of battle during the
night. On the 2d, passed through that city, crossing the Cum
berland river, went into camp at Edgefield, and remained there
until the 12th, when it recrossed the Cumberland, passing
through Nashville, and encamped on the Charlotte Pike. On
the 15th it advanced about two miles, dismounted and skir
mished during that day and next; at sunset mounted and pro
ceeded in the direction of the Harpeth River, swimming that
stream, and thence marching to Spring Hill. Crossing Duck
River on the 23d, and passing through Columbia, on the 24th
it met the enemy at Richland Creek, and fought him all day,
charging and driving him sixteen miles, losing one killed and
six wounded; skirmishing at Pulaski on the 25th, and at Sugar
Creek on the 26th, passing Taylor's Springs on the 28th, reach
ing Waterloo on the 31st, remaining there until the 17th Jan
uary, 1865, when it broke camp, crossing the Tennessee River,
and passing through Eastport, Iuka and Burnsville, Miss., tak^
ing six prisoners; thence proceeded to Corinth and Farming-
ton on the 19th, and returning via Iuka, taking five prisoners;
and thence via Eastport, crossing the Tennessee river, reached
Waterloo on 21st, and remained there until March llth,Avhen
breaking camp, it recrossed the Tennessee river, marched to
Chickasaw, Ala., and was there in camp until the 22d,when it
again broke camp, passing through Frankfort and Rnssellville

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

363

on the 24th, crossed Big Ford Creek on the 25th, reaching
Eldridge on the 26th, passed Jasper and crossed the Mulberry
river on the 28th, and Black Warrior river on the 29th, and
on the 30th reached Elyton. Crossed Black Warrior again on
April 1st, at Johnston's Ferry, swimming the horses. Skir
mished with the enemy on the 2d, at Trion, and on the 3d ar
rived at Tuscaloosa, surprising and taking prisoners the pick
ets, capturing the city, three cannon, and taking a large num
ber of prisoners. After destroying a large number of build
ings containing rebel stores, and burning the bridge, the regi
ment marched to Bridgeville, where it was attacked on the
6th, and after a brisk engagement, with a loss of three wounded,
repulsed the enemy. Continuing the march towards North-
port, passed it and Windham's Springs. On the 13th, crossed
Wolf Creek; on the 14th, Lost Creek and Black Water; on the
19th, Black Warrior, and the Coosa at Luff's Ferry; on the
22d, reaching Talladaga. Skirmished with Gen. Hill's brigade
on the 23d, losing two killed, and taking one piece of artillery.
Crossed a branch of the Talladaga oh the 24th, and the Talla
poosa on the 25th, passing through BoAvden, Ga. Crossing
the Chattahoochie on the 26th, and marching, via Neroman
and Forsyth, arriving, May 1st, at Macon, where it remained
in camp until July 17th, when the regiment was broken up
into detachments, which were sent to garrison Perry, Thomas
ton, Barnsville, Forsyth and Milledgeville, two companies,,
with the headquarters, remainiug at Macon. On the 17th of
August it was mustered out of service, and arrived in the State
August 26th, and was paid off and disbanded at Jackson.

BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.

Point Pleasant, Mo., March 9, 1862.
Tiptonville, "¦ " — , "
New Madrid, " " 13, "
Island No. 10, " March 14 to
April 7th, 1862.
Pine Hill, Miss., May 2, 1862.
Monterey, " " 3, "
Farmington, " " 5, "
Siege of Corinth, Miss., May 10 to 30,
1862.
Boonville, Miss., June 1, 1862.
Blackland, " " 5, "
Baldwin, " " — , "

Boonville, " July 1, "
Reinzi, " Aug.-, "
Perryville, Ey., Oct. 8, 186a.
Harodsburg, " " 10, "
Lancaster. " " 12, "
Rocastle River, Ky., Oct. — , 1862.
Estill ville, Va., 1862.
Blountsville, Tenn., 1862.
Zollicoffer, "
Watanaga, "
Jonesville, Va., 1862.
Bacon Creek, Ey„ Dec. 24, 1862.
Glasgow, " " — , "

364

MEMORIALS OF THE

Milton, Tenn., Feb. 18; 1863.
Gainesville, Tenn., Feb. 19, 1863.
Spring Hill, " ' " 29, "
Columbia, '¦' March 4, 5, 1863.
Hillsboro, " " 12, "
Brentwood, " " 25, "
. McGarvick'sFord, Tenn., April, 1863.
Triune, Tenn., June 4, 1863.
Rover, " " 23, "
Middletown, Tenn., June 24, 1863.
Shelbyville, " " 27, "
Elk River Fork, Tenn., July 2, 1863.
Dechard, Tenn., July 4, 1863.
Chickamauga, Tenn., Sept. 18, 19, 20,
1863.
Anderson X Roads, Tenn., Oct., 1863.
Sparta. Tenn., Dec. 1863.
Dandridge, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1863.
Mossy Creek, " "29, "
Dandridsre, " Jan. 17, 1864.
Pigeon River, " " 27, "
Dug Gap, Ga., May 13, 14, "
Red Clay, " " 1864.
Ettowa River, Ga,, May 24, 27, 27,
28, 1864.

Ackworth, Tenn., June 2, 5, 1864.
Nashville, " Aug. 30,
Campbellsville, Tenn., Sept. 5, 1864.
Franklin, " " 27, '•'
Cypress River, " Oct. 7, "
Raccoon Ford, " "30, "
Shoal Creek, " Nov. 5, "
Lawrenceburg, " " 21, "
Campbellsville, " " 24, "
Columbia, " " 25,26,27,
1864.
Spring Hill, Tenn., Nov. 29, '1864.'
Bethesda Church, Tenn., Nov. 29,
1864.
Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1864.
Nashville, " Dec 15, 16, 1864.
Richland Creek, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1864.
Pulaski, " ' " 25, "
Sugar Creek, " " 26, "
Prieeton Yard, " Jan. 6, 1865.
Corinth, Miss., Feb., 1865.
Tuscaloosa, Ala., April 1, 1865.
Trion, " " 2, "
Bridgeville, " " 6, "
Talladaga " " 23, "

THIRD CAVALRY.
The Third Cavalry, recruited at the same time, and in ren
dezvous at the same place as the Second, left Grand Rapids
November 28th, 1861, with 1,163 names on its muster-in rolls.
It was at Benton' Barracks, St. Louis, during the winter, and
has since participated in engagements at New Madrid, March
13, 1862; Farmington, June 5; Iuka, September 19; Corinth,
October 3 and 4; Hatchie, October 6; Spangler's Mills, July
26; Bay Springs, September 10; Holly Springs, November 7;
Lumkin's Mills, November 29; Oxford, December 2;. Coffee-
ville, December 5; and in the seiges of Island No. 10 and
Corinth. Besides what have been taken Avhile co-operating
with other regiments, the 3d has captured 3 lieutenant-
colonels, 2 majors, 13 captains, 19 lieutenants and 1,249 pri
vates. On the 30th of November, the strength of the regiment was
971. It was stationed on the 13th of December, at Water
Yalley, Mississippi. The officers are:
JohnK. Mizner, Colonel, March 7, 1862;  , Lt. Colonel; ; Gilbert
Moyers, Major, February 27, 1862; Thomas Saylor, Major,' July 12, 1862.
Lyman G. Wilcox, Major, October 1, 1862;  -— — Chaplain.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 365
This regiment has been actively engaged during the year in
Western Tennessee and Northern Mississippi. Some of the
principal battles and skirmishes in which the regiment has
participated since November 1st, 1862, occurred at Hudson-
ville, Nov. 14, 1862; Holly Springs, Nov. 19th; Lumkin's
Mills, Nov. 30th; Oxford, Dec. 2d; Coffeeville, . Dec. 5th; >
Brownsville, January 14th, 1863; Clifton, Feb'y 20th; Panola,
July 20th; Grenada, Aug. 14th; Byhalia, Oct 12th, andWyatt's
Ford, Tallahatchie River, Oct. 13th, 1863. In addition to these
principal engagements, the regiment has participated in a
large number of skirmishes of minor importance. In the affair
at Grenada, the Third was in the advance. It gained posses
sion: of the town after a sharp engagement, and immediately
commenced the destruction of the enemy's machinery and
rolling stock, accumulated at this point. Over sixty locomo
tives, and more, than four hundred cars were destroyed. At
Byhalia and. Wyatt's Ford, the regiment was warmly engaged.
In these actions, the enemy was completely routed, with large
loss. The Third, Cavalry aided largely in driving the notorious
rebels, Richardson, Dawson and Ciishman from West Tennes
see, together ;with numerous bands of guerrillas that infested
that section, and who were destroyed or dispersed by it.
"Since November 1st, 1862, the regiment has captured an ag
gregate of 1,100 prisoners, nearly 50 of whom were commis
sioned officers, making the number of 2,100 prisoners taken
from the enemy by the Third, since it went into the field."
"During the year, the regiment has marched a distance of
10,800 miles, exclusive of marches by separate companies and
detachments." It is armed with Colt's five-shooting rifles and
revolvers. Alight battery of 12-pOnnd howitzers, commanded
by one of the officers of the Third, is attached to the regiment.
During November and December, 1863, this regiment was
almost constantly engaged in scouting and in various expedi
tions through Northern Mississippi and Western Tennessee,
visiting most of the important places in that section. It had
frequent encounters with the enemy's forces under Generals
Forrest: and Chalmers. Engagements and skirmishes in whioh
the regiment participated, occurred at Ripley, Miss.,, Novem-

886 MEMORIALS OF THE
ber 29th, Orizaba, Miss., November 30th, Ellistown, Miss.,' De
cember 3d. Purdy, Tenn., December 22d, and Jack's Creek,
Tenn., December 24th. During the period mentioned the reg
iment is reported to have marched over one thousand miles.
On the 1st of January, 1864, the Third arrived at LaGrange,
Tenn., where it commenced building winter quarters. On the
39th of January, the required number re-enlisted, and on the
27th were mustered in as A7eteran volunteers. On the 29th
the regiment left LaGrange for Michigan, arriving at Detroit
on the 7th of February. The regiment rendezvoused at Kala
mazoo at the expiration of its furlough of thirty days, Avhere
it was joined by a large number of recruits. Leaving Kala
mazoo, it proceeded to St. Louis, Mo. It remained there nearly
two months awaiting the arrival of horses, arms and equip
ments. During the greater portion of this time it was em
ployed on provost duty in the city. Although still dismounted,
the regiment left St. Louis on the 18th of May, and proceeded
to Little Rock, Ark., where it arrived on the 24th, and reported
to Maj. Gen. Steele. It was mounted on the 1st of August,
and soon thereafter became engaged in scouting through the
State. It assisted in driving the rebel General Shelby beyond
the Arkansas River, in dispersing the bands of guerrillas that
infested the country, and captured over 800 head of cattle.
The regiment is now armed with the Spencer repeating carbine,
and on the 1st of November, 1864, was stationed at Browns
ville, Ark.
The regiment is in the 4th Brigade, Cavalry. Division, 7th
Corps. John K. Mizner, Colonel, March 7, 1862,
THIRD CAVALRV,
During the months of November, 1864, and February, 1865,
this regiment constituted the garricon of the post at Browns
ville Station, on the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad, and
was also occupied in scouting along the line of that road, mak
ing several expeditions as far south as Arkansas Post, on the
Arkansas river, collecting large droves of cattle, and thereby
furnishing nearly all the beef required for the supply of the
entire army, then serving in the Department of Arkansas,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 367
At Brownsville Station the regiment erected a complete set of
winter quarters and stables, so neatly and tastefully arranged
as to present the appearance of an important town, which
attracted so much attention as to result in a change of its name
from " Brownsville Station," to "Michigan City." The very
active duty of the regiment at that time was so conducive to
the health of the men, that 1,008 were daily reported present
for duty, and less than three per cent, were on the sick list.
Early in February the regiment was selected to constitute part
of a division then being organized for actiA'e and important
service in early spring, and was assigned to the 1st Brigade,
1st Division, 7th Army Corps, and moved to Brownsville. On
the 14th of March the brigade was transferred from the Depart
ment of Arkansas to the Military Division of West Missis
sippi, to join the. troops under Major General Canby, designed
to operate against Mobile, and the regiment proceeded by
steamer to New Orleans, arriving at Carrolton, La., March 23d,
and embarked for Mobile early in April. After the fall of
Mobile, it was employed on outpost duty until the surrender
of the Confederate forces east of the Mississippi river, when
the regiment was selected as the escort of Major General Canby
on the occasion of his receiving the formal surrender of the
rebel Genera] Taylor and his army. It left Mobile May 8,
and marched across the country to Baton Rouge, La., reaching
there on the 22d. When Major General Sheridan assumed
the command of the Military Division of the Southwest, the
regiment was selected and ordered to report to him for duty,
and was immediately prepared to join the expedition to Texas,
and left Baton Rouge for Shreveport, June 10th, and com
menced its march into Texas from the latter place July 10th,
traversing two-thirds the breadth of that State, arriving on
the 2d of August at San Antonio. At that point the regiment
was stationed, performing garrison duty and employed in the
necessary scouting for the protection of the frontier as far as
the Rio Grande, on the Mexican border, and in furnishing
escorts for supply trains. The regiment comprised a part of
the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Military Division of the
Gulf, and had its head-quarters at San Antonio until February

368

MEMORIALS OF THE

15th, 1866, when it was dismounted, mustered out of service,
and proceeded, via Yictoria, to Indianola, on foot, and thence
by steamer to New Orleans and Cairo, where it took rail for
Jackson, Mich., arriving there March 10th, and on the 15th
Avas paid off and disbanded.

BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.

New Madrid, Mo., March 13, 1862.
Siege of Island No. 10, Mo., March
14 to April 7, 1862.
Farmington, Miss., May 5, 1862.
Siege of Corinth," . ." 10, to 31, 1862.
Spangler's Mills, Miss., July 26,
Bay Spring, " Sept. 10.
Iuka, " " 19,
Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3 and 4,
Hatchie, " "6,
Holly Springs, Miss.,, Nov. 7,
Hudsonville, " " 14,
Lumkin's Mills, " " 29,

Oxford, Mississippi, Dec. 2, 1862.

Coffeeville,
Brownsville,Clifton,Panola,Orenada,
Byhalia,Wyatt's Ford,
Ripley,Orizaba,
Ellistown,Purdy,Jack's Creek,

Jan. 14, 1863.
Feb. 10, "
July 20, "
Aug. 14, "
Oct. 12, "
" 13 "
Nov. 29,' "
" 30, "
Dec. 3, "
" 22, "
" 24, "

TENTH CAVALRY.
The tenth regiment of Michigan Cavalry has been raised
during the year, under authority given by the War Depart
ment, to Hon. F. W. Kellogg. It Avas in rendezvous at Grand
Rapids, and left its camp there on the first of December, for
Lexington, Kentucky, with a force on its muster-in rolls of
912, and the following commissioned officers:
Thaddeus Foote, Colonel, Sept. 5, 1863; Major, 6th Cav', Oct. 3, 1862.
Luther S. Trowbridge, Lieut. Col., Aug. 25, 1863; Major, 5th Cav., Sept,
2, 1862.
. Israel C. Smith, Major, Aug. 23. 1863; Capt., 3d Infantry, Jan. 1, 1862.
Cicero Newell, Major, Aug. 19, 1863; Capt., 3d Cav., April 1, 1862; 1st
Lieut., Sept. 7, 1861.
The Tenth Cavalry left its rendezvous at Grand Rapids, on
the 1st of December, 1863, for Lexington, Ky., whence it
marched to Camp Nelson on the 13th. It here encamped
until the 25th of January, 1864, when it moved to Burnside
Point. It remained at this place from the 2d to the 29th of
February, when it proceeded to Knoxville,, and. thence^ March
16th,-to Strawberry Plains. On the 24th of April, the regi
ment was ordered to proceed thence to Carter's Station, and
destroy the railroad bridge 0A7er the Watauga River. Reach-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 369
ing Carter's Station on the 25th, after a severe engagement, it
drove the enemy from a- strong position occupied by them, but
the rebels being posted in heavy force in fortifications on the
opposite bank of the river, it was impossible to destroy the
bridge without great loss of life, and the regiment was directed
to retire. The casualties in this engagement were three killed,
eight wounded and three missing.
On the 28th of May, 160 of the regiment engaged in a rec
onnoissance, proceeding to Bull's Gap and Greenville. En
countering a force of the enemy, the battalion engaged and
routed them with severe loss, killing and wounding a large
number, and capturing 26 prisoners and a number of horses
and mules. During the month of July and the early part of
August, detachments of the regiment were constantly engaged
in scouting and pursuing small bands of the enemy in East
Tennessee. On the 23d, the regiment took port in an engage
ment with a rebel brigade, at Blue Springs, and after a sharp
fight, assisted in forcing the enemy from a strong position and
in driving them in confusion through GreenAalle. The casual
ties of the regiment were six wounded, two of whom died of
their wounds. Having moved through Rogersville, Bean's
Station and Bull's Gap, the regiment returned to StraAvberry
. Plains on the 31st. During its absence, on the 24th, the de
tachment, numbering 60 men, left in garrison, with about 150
from other commands, were attacked by the rebel cavalry corps
under Wheeler, numbering from 6,000 to 8,000 men, with nine
pieces of artillery. The Union troops made a successful de
fense against this force, and thus saved the post from capture,
and the great railroad bridge from destruction. Eight men
held the ford for three hours, and prevented a rebel brigade
from crossing, and surrendered only after they were surrounded.
Three men were wounded during the day. On the same day
(24th),. the detachment left at Knoxville, charged a rebel reg
iment (11th Texas), near Flat Creek Bridge, and routed it, cap
turing its colonel arid other prisoners, but coming suddenly on
one of the enemy's cavalry divisions in line of battle, it retired.
The enemy pursued, and succeeded in recapturing their men
and in taking a number of prisoners from the detachment. On
24

370 MEMORIALS OF THE
the 4th of September the regiment participated in the surpris
ing and routing of Gen. John- II. Morgan's forces at Green
ville. In this engagement, Gen. Morgan was killed and a large
number of his men captured, among whom were Morgan's
staff. On the 30th of September, the regiment assisted in
driving the enemy from their position at Carter's Station.
During this month it was constantly engaged in scouting and
in pursuing the forces of Morgan and Wheeler. In October,
it was employed in picket and in scouting.
The regiment is in the 2d Brigade, 4th Division, 23d Corps,
Army of the Ohio. Its officers are as follows:
Luther S. Trowbridge, Colonel, July 25, 1864; Lt. Col., August 25, 1863;
Major 5th Cav., September 2, 1862;  Lieut. Colonel; Majors,
Israel C. Smith, Cicero Newell, John H. Standish.
This regiment was stationed at Strawberry Plains, in East
Tennessee, Nov. 1, 1864, engaged in fortifying that point and
in the usual routine of camp duty and occasional scouting.
On the 16th, Gen. Breckinridge, with a large rebel force, made
his appearance in front of the garrison, and on the 17th com
menced a vigorous attack with artillery from the opposite side
of the Holston river, and at the same time threatening it in
the rear with a heavy cavalry force. Constant skirmishing and
occasional artillery firing was kept up for four days, the enemy
being repulsed on the 24th, when he Avithdrew. During the
remaining portion of the month and up to Dec. 6th, the regi
ment was employed in constructing fortifications at that point,
Avhen, on the receipt of orders, marched to Knoxville, and
soon after made an expedition to Saltville, Ya., and destroyed
the salt works at that point, being engaged with the enemy at
Kingsport, December 12th; at Bristol, December 14th, and at
Saltville, December 20th. Returning to Knoxville, it had a
skirmish at Chucky Bend. January 10th, 1865. Remaining at
Knoxville until March 21st, the brigade to which it was attached
marched to upper East Tennessee, under the command of Bre
vet Brig. Gen. Palmer. Joining the expedition under Gen.
Stoneman, in his raid into North Carolina, the regiment was
engaged with the enemy at Brobson's Mills on the 25th, and

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 371
at Boonville, N. C, on the 27th. Proceeding via Wilkesboro,
and thence down to Yadkin river, in the direction of Salisbury,
reaching the Tennessee and Yirginia railroad at Christians-
burg, April 5th, it assisted in destroying 0A7er one hundred
miles of that railroad, together with the bridges. This accom
plished, the regiment made a rapid march of ninety-five miles,
to Henry Court House, making the distance in twenty-two
hours. At that point it became engaged with a superior force
of the enemy's cavalry and infantry on the 8th, which, after a
brisk fight, retired, the regiment losing in the affair Lieut.
Kenyon and three men, killed, and one officer and three men
severely wounded, the loss of the enemy not being ascertained.
Next morning the regiment moved southward, destroying the
railroad and bridges north of Salisbury, at Abbott's creek, on
the 10th, encountering a superior force at that point, consist
ing of cavalry and infantry, which, after a very obstinate con
test of three hours, retired. It was also engaged at High
Point on the same day. During the day the main body of the
command captured Salisbury, and destroyed a large amount of
stores. The regiment was then ordered to proceed along the
Catawba river, and was employed in picking up bands of rebel
cavalry while endeavoring to make their escape, and was en
gaged in skirmishes at Statesville on the 14th, and at Newton
on the 17th. Information having been received of the surren
der of Johnston, the regiment commenced a scout for the pur
pose of intercepting Jefferson Davis, who was then supposed
to be making his escape in some direction ; bnt soon after it
was ordered to proceed via Stevenson, Ala., to Tennessee, where
it served until November 11th, when it was mustered out of
service, at Memphis, and returned to Michigan, arriving on
the 15th at Jackson.
The reports of the operations of this regiment being very
meagre and indefinite, it is presumed that much of the services
rendered by it are not covered by the foregoing sketch, as it is
known to haA7e been very actively employed.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISn.ES.
House Mountain, Tenn., Jan., 1864. 1 Rheatown, Tenn., Mar. 24, 1864.
Bean's Gap, Tenn., Mar. 26, 1864. | Jonesboro, " " 25, "

372

MEMORIALS OF THE

Johnson ville, Tenn., Mar. 25, 1864.
Watanga " "26, "
Powder Spring Gap, Tenn.. Apr. 28,
1864.
Dandridge, Tenn., May 19, 1864.
Greenville, " ' " 30, '
White Horn, " " 31,

Morristown,

(t

June

2,

Bean's Stat'n,

u

"

16,

Rogersville,

u

(<

17,

Kingsport,Cany Branch,

((

a

18,

it

a

20,

New Market,

a

k

21,

Moseburg,Will'msFord

a

d

23,

he

k

25,

Dutch Bottom

*t

28,

Sevierville,

a

July

5,

Newport,

a

u

8,

Morristown,

"

Aug

3,

Greenville,

ti

ii

4,

Mossy Creek,

a

ti

18,

Bull Gap,

a

tt

21,

Blue Spring,

a

[(

23,

Greenville,

K

t(

23,

Strawberry Plains, Tenn., Aug. 24,
1864.
Flat Creek Bridge, Tenn., Aug. 24,
1864.

Rogersville, Tenn., Aug. 27, 1864.
Bull Gap, " " 29, "
Greenville, " Sept. 4, "
SweetWater, ¦' " 10, "
Thorn Hill, " " 10, "
Sevierville, " " 18, "
Jonesboro, " " 20, "
Johnson Station, Tenn., Oct. 1, 1864.
Watanga Bridge, Tenn., Oct. 1, 2,
1864.
Chucky Bend, Tenn., Oct. 10, 1864.
Newport, " " 18, "
Irish Bottoms, " "25, "
Madisonville, " " 30, "
Morristown, " Nov. 20, "
Strawberry Plains, Tenn., Nov. 23,
24, 1864.
Kingsport, Tenn., Dec. 12, 1864.
Bristol, " " 14, "
Saltville, Va., Nov. 20, 1864.
Chuckv Bend, Tenn., Jan. 10, 1865.
Brabson's Mills, " Mar. 25, "
BoonviUe, N. C, March 27, 1865.
Henry Ct. House, Va., April 8, 1865.
Abbott Creek, N. C, " 10, "
High Point, " " 10, "
Statesville, " " 14, "
Newton, " " 17, "

SECOND BATTERY (ROSS').
The Second Battery organized in this State, was raised at
Grand Rapids, in connection with the Second Cavalry. It left
the State on the 17th of December, 1861, clothed and mounted,
but without guns. The battery was at the battle of Pittsburg
Landing, April 6, and was cut off from its infantry support by
the enemy's cavalry, losing four of its six pieces, and sixty
officers and men taken prisoners. The remaining section has
since been connected with a Missouri battery, but the com
pany has recently recruited with good success, and has been
ordered into the field again in Western Tennessee, where it
will soon have, if it has not already been supplied with, a new
battery of guns. Its officers are:
William H. Ross, Captain, January 26, 1862; Albert F. Arndt, 1st Lieut.,
January 26, 1862; Cuthbert W. Laing, 1st Lieut., July 4, 1862; Edward B.
Wright, 2d Lieut., August 28, 1862; BronsonC. Meddaugh, 2d Lieut., Au
gust 28, 1862. THIRD BATTERY (DEES').
This battery, raised in connection with the Third Cavalry,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

373

left its rendezvous at Grand Rapids, December 17th, 1861. It
was engaged in the siege of Corinth, May, 1862, in the battles
at Iuka, September 17th and 19th, and aided in the repulse of
the enemy at Corinth, October 14. It has lost by deaths from
disease, thirteen ; death from wounds, one ; discharges, fifteen ;
desertions, four; missing in action, three. Its force on the
30th of November, was 108. It is now in West Tennessee,
and its officers are:

George Robinson, Captain, November 20, 1862; Carl A. Lamberg, 1st
Lieut., Dec. 6, 1861; William H. Sinclair, 1st Lieut., July 15, 1862; 
 , 2d Lieut. ;  , 2d Lieut.

BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.

Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 6,
1862.
Siege of Corinth, Miss., May 10 to 31,
1862.
Corinth, Miss., October 3, 4, 1862.
Resaca, Ga., May 9. 1864.
Lay's Ferry, Ga., May 14, 1864.
Calhoun Ferry, Ga., May 15, 1864.
Rome X Roads, " ' 16, "

Cave Springs, Ga., Oct. 13, 1864.
Turkey Ridge, Ala., Oct. 26, 1864.
Griswold, Ga., Nov. 22, 1864.
Ogeechee River, Ga., Dec. 8, 1864.
Savannah, Ga., Dec. 11 to 20, 1864.
Salkehatchie River, S. C, Feb. 6,
1865.
Columbia, S. C, Feb. 15, 1865.
Cox's Bridge, N. C, Mar. 20. 1865.
Bentonville, N. C, Mar. 21, 22; 1865.

THIRTEENTH BATTERY.
This battery was organized at Grand Rapids, and was
mustered into the United States service on the 20th of Jan
uary, 1864, with 160 names on its rolls. It left Grand Rapids
February 3d, and arrived at Washington, D. C, on the 7th of
that month. It went into camp near Washington, where it
was employed in perfecting itself in drill until the 14th of
May. It was then ordered to Fort Slemmer, D. C. During
the remainder of the year the battery was stationed at Fort
Slemmer, and in other fortifications in the neighborhood of
Washington. On the 11th and 12th of July, 1864, it assisted
in the defense. of Fort Stevens against the attack of the rebel
Gen. Early's forces. On the 1st of November, the battery
was at Fort Sumner, Md.
The battery was in the 1st Brigade, Harden's Division, 22d
Corps, Army of the Potomac. Captain, Charles Dupont.
In 1863, neither of the Grand River counties was subject to
the draft, their quota being filled by volunteers.

374 MEMORIALS OF THE

GEAND EIVEE VALLEY IN 1846.
We will noAV pass over ten years, and attempt a portraiture
of the Grand River Valley in 1846. This will show the ad
vance that had been made — that it had not been rapid.
The first years of flush excitement had brought several
thousands into the Valley; the crash that followed had driven
many of them away. Speculation had been rife; but land
and lots had lost their fanciful value. Immigration had
nearly ceased; and everything was stationary. 1846 was in
that time, when hope had nearly died out, and when real
estate was scarce considered property.
Improvements — and some of them great ones — had been
made, but in almost every case they had ruined those who had
invested their capital. The fact was, at the start there was
too much enterprise — a throAving away of capital in works
that should have awaited their demand. In attempting to do
business where there was not the business to do, the capital
Avas sunk. Abram S. Wadsworth had bankrupted himself in
developing water-poAver ; and Daniel Ball the same, by run
ning good steamboats, when only the cheapest craft would pay..
Lucius Lyon had sunk a fortune in developing various inter
ests too soon. And the natural consequence of the whole was,
a general abandonment of enterprises begun, and the begin
ning of no new ones. Discouraged, some of the leading spirits
had withdrawn; and capital, seeking investment, was not to
be found.
1846 is again selected as the time when expectation was at its
lowest point, and values at a minimum. Those who had tried
before to do business, had been ruined. If remaining, they
Avere struggling to place themselves again on their feet. In
the few following years, hope reA7ived; business improved ; im
migration and settlement increased, and the dark days Avere over.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 375
The attempts of the young State of Michigan to go too fast
had ruined her credit at the East. Her name was in bad odor ;
her soil was decried, and she was passed by by those who
sought homes for themselves, or for a chance to invest their
money. Of late, the State had been taking more judicious
measures to revive and sustain her credit as a State. The
Avild-cat system of banking had given place to a better system.
The Eastern public had been disabused as to the worth of
Michigan lands, and immigration was taking that direction.
An examination of the census reports will show that from
about this time, the course of the State has been steadily on
ward. The Grand River Valley had its full share in this improved
condition of things; and its progress since has been steady and
great. At this time the most of the towns in Ionia and Kent were
organized, and several in Ottawa. A reference to the census
of 1845 will show the strength of occupation — 1,200 people in
Ottawa Co.; 217 in Muskegon; 6,049 in Kent, and 5,101 in
Ionia. Comparing these census returns, and deducting the villages
of Grand Rapids, Plainfield and Wyoming, from Kent; Ionia,
Portland and Lyons from Ionia; and Grand Haven from Otta
wa, it will be seen that the land was most occupied in Ionia
county, and but sparsely settled in Ottawa.
Several of the towns in Ionia Co., had quite the air of thriv
ing farming regions. North Plains, Otisco, Keene, Easton,
and Berlin, easy to subdue, had in a great measure been sub
dued, and were largely represented by "farmers" in contradis
tinction from " settlers." Settlements had been pushed into
every toAvn.
In Kent county, there was more of a village population, and
farmers were scarce. There were some farms in Wyoming,
Paris, Grand Rapids, Walker and Plainfield, that had lost the
air of newness. But in general, the occupants of the land were
what were then called "settlers;" that is, men who oaati their
land, and have made some improvement. These were pushing
their clearings; and most of them Avere raising enough for

376 MEMORIALS OF THE
themselves, and something to sell. A surplus of wheat was
raised, and some wool. Saw mills were on a good many of the
streams, and lumber was sent to Chicago and Wisconsin.
But there was absolutely nothing that could be done at a
living profit. Lumber would sometimes pay expenses and
sometimes not. That sold to settlers and at home would pay.
That sent off was apt to be sold because the lumbermen must
raise some money. Sent doAvn the river to Grand Haven, it
might bring $5 per M. — often less. Lumbering was poor
business; and most of those engaged in it were doing business
because they could not get out of it. As an illustration: in
1847, we passed a large lumber pile on the bank of the river,
which a gang of men were putting on scoavs, to send down the
river. The owner was superintending the work; and while so
doing, his curses of the pile were loud and deep. We, with
our blandest smile, offered to take the " cursed pile" off his
hands. He said, " I will give you $3,000 to take it with its
responsibilities." We did not then invest in lumber.
Wheat would sell for 50 cents a bushel; flour, for $2.75 or
$3.00 a barrel; pork and beef, $2.50 to $3.00 per hundred. It
can readily be seen that neither the lumberman nor the farmer
could make money. They were trying to live, and were living
on the hope of better times. Money was hard to compass. It
Avas easy enough to get something to eat. Wages of laborers
were fair, if something besides cash could be paid. Provisions
were cheap and abundant; but to get a little money for taxes,
groceries, etc., the settlers were obliged to sell wood. It was
almost pitiable to go into the streets of Grand Rapids, and see
the teams, standing there with loads of Avood. One dollar a
cord would be thankfully received for hickory wood, which
had been draAvn five or six miles. But we need not pity these
men too much; they were not poor. They had their land, and
every year was Avidening their clearings. Their cattle Avere
multiplying, and they were getting rich. Then their labor
Avent into permanent investment. They had but little for
present use, bnt they were laying the foundation of the inde
pendence they now enjoy. They had the land which to-day,
with their improvements, is wealth.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 377
We will now look at Grand Rapids as it appeared in 1846;
then, as now, the chief town in the Grand River Valley.
It was emphatically " a story and a-half village," with a
population of 1,500,. mostly on about fifty acres of land.
Taking the region enclosed by Fulton street on the south, Divi
sion street on the east, Bridge street on the north, and the river
on the west, we have all that had the appearance of a village. A
few scattering houses were outside, on Bostwick's Addition,
and on the Avest side of the river. Several very good resi
dences were on Fulton street, east of the limits given ; and far
out of town, Mr. Bostwick had his cosy home, fitted up with
admirable surroundings, at what always should be called, as
now, the " Bostwick Place." The extreme house at the
northeast was at the corner south of the Central School House.
The buildings, with very few exceptions, were of wood ; the
residences, and a good part of the business pdaces, a story and
a-half high. . The buildings, whether for residences or busi
ness, were simple structures, for use and not display. The
exceptional buildings were five, stone stores and two brick
ones on Monroe street, two stone blocks or double stores up Ca
nal street, near Bronson; two stone stores at the foot of Monroe
street, where now is " Campau Place." To these we may add
the wing of the Rathbun House, the residence of Mr. Turner,
on the west side of the river ; and the Alma House, on Bron
son steet. There were besides, seven small brick or stone houses.
The residences are still standing; the business blocks, with
the exception of the Rathbun House and the store east of it,
have either been destroyed by fire or pulled down, to give
place to more pretentious structures.
The churches were the Congregational, the Methodist, the
Episcopal, and the Dutch Reformed. The Congregational was
the only one that had the air of a church. It stood at the
head of Monroe street, between that and Fulton street. It
was a pretty, modest structure, in good architectural propor
tions. When the society built their edifice at Park Place, they
sold the old lot; the building was remodeled into stores, and
soon went up in smoke. The Episcopal church stood at the
corner of Division and Bronson streets. It was a mere tem-

378 MEMORIALS OF THE
porary concern, until the society could afford to build. It after-
Avards did service for the Baptists in the same way, and finally
was removed. The Methodist church was a better building,
but still of modest size. It stood where their present building
stands. The Dutch Reformed church was an unfinished stone
building, Avhich Avas afterwards sold for business purposes.
The Catholics had no church edifice. They had a house
which was fitted up for a chapel at the corner of Monroe and
Ottawa streets. In 1847 they built a stone church on the ad
joining lot; and the same year the chapel, which was also the
residence of the priests, was burned; two women — the mother
and sister of one of the priests — perishing in the fire. This
Avas really the most soul-harrowing event that ever transpired
in Grand Rapids. The sting of it is, no effort was made to
save them, it being supposed that they had got out, and were
at a neighboring house. They could have been rescued un
harmed, had it been known they were in the building.
The Baptists had an organization, but no place of worship.
They held their meetings in the temporary court-house on the
common. The streets were none of them graded, and there were side
walks only on Division, Monroe and Canal streets; those, with
the exception of a part of Monroe street, simply a track the
Avidth of two planks. On Monroe street each had placed some
thing for a sideAvalk before his premises.
The business places were mostly on Monroe street and the
south end of Canal street. Monroe street Avas generally occu
pied from Ottawa street. Business centered at what is now
Campau Place — then " Grab Corners." The march of improve
ment has thrown open and made attractiA7e, Avhat was a nui
sance and an eye-sore — the result of the rivalry of the original
platters of Grand Rapids and Kent. To make the improve
ment, several buildings were torn doAvn and the space left
open. The store furthest up Monroe street was where Luce's
block now stands. Tnrning into Canal street, on the east side
were one story Avooden buildings, about half Avay to Bronson
street. Away up Canal street, at the foot of Bronson street,
were on each side a double stone store, both of which have
since been cremated.

GBAND RIVER VALLEY. 379
A wing-dam, running half way across the river, served to
divert some of -the water into a canal of small capacity. The
dam was built across the river and the canal enlarged, as at
present, the next year. On this canal were three saw-mills, two
large grist-mills — one still standing, the other gone up — two
small machine shops, a tannery, clothing works and carding
machines. On Cold brook was a larger tannery, and further up
a turning shop. Lyon's salt works were in operation, doing a
small business. They were given up as profitless after a year
or two.
( Two steamboats, as large as those now used on the river,
were plying below the Rapids, and pole boats, soon replaced
by small steamboats, were doing the carrying above, as far as
Lyons. As it regards the appearance of the village and its surround
ings, there was a primitive air to the whole. Enterprise had
been checked, and had not recovered from the shock. Capital
Avas wofully lacking. The streets of the village were simply
horrible. Canal street was little better than a quagmire. From
Bridge street down it has been filled to the depth of from five
to fifteen feet. It was not then much of a business street.
West of Division street and north of Monroe street was a fine
musical-frog pond, and between that and Canal street was the
beautiful "Prospect Hill," both of which have disappeared.,
A good open bridge was across the river at Bridge street,
the one built by Scribner and Turner. A good one story
school-house was on Fulton street (burned two years after ^
wards). There were two other school-houses — temporary con
cerns. There was nothing on the hill except along Fulton
street. At that time the medical profession was represented by
Drs. Shepard, Piatt, Bowman and Slocum. Drs. Winslow
and Wilson had recently died, and Ellis had moved to Detroit.
Dr. Slocum died in 1847, and the same year Dr. Hollister
(since Prof. H. of Chicago), came in. Bowman died in 1859.
The lawyers were Messrs. Abel, Moore, Bement, Rathbone,
Ball, Yale, Church, Martin, Withey, Holmes and Miller. To
their credit be it said, they are all alive (1875) but Abel, Rath-

380 MEMORIALS OF THE
bone and Martin. One became chief justice of the State; an
other IT. S. district judge; and a third, judge of the superior
court. Abel died in 1872; Martin (chief justice) in 1868, and
Rathbone in 1856. 1847 added three to the number — Messrs.
Cole, Rood and Sargeant. Sargeant and Cole died young.
They had just shown the material of which they were made;
had fairly won their position, and proved their worth. Cole
was a man of power; was second mayor of the city; a man of
sterling honor; not brilliant, but deep. He died of small-pox,
July 29th, 1855. • Sargeant died in 1858 — a man rising worth
ily to eminence.
The press, in 1846, was represented by the Eagle and
Enquirer — both modest weeklies. The Enquirer was owned
by Charles H. Taylor and Jacob Barnes. Their office was a
single room ; their circulation about 300. T. B. Church was
editor; Barnes was principal manager. They had some gOA7-
ernment patronage^ and Barnes, having " no incumbrances,"
managed to live, and save a few pennies. Taylor Avas in the
clothing business ; was an aspiring politician, whom the people
delighted to honor. Barnes was a modest man, who never
sought political distinction.
The Eagle, whig in politics, was run by another young man
— Aaron B. Turner, who was his own editor. His circulation
was somewhat larger than that of the Enquirer, but the con
cern would not pay; and he was often compelled to suspend
for Avant of funds. He was also a political aspirant, but was
then on the wrong side to win; so he was compelled to print
or starve. Believing in the perseverance of the saints, he per
severed. The political change in the State brought patronage
to his paper — brought office and money to him. He has not
now the cadaverous look that printers are supposed to have,
but his fair rotundity seems to indicate that official standing,
printing and roast turkey agree with him.
The hotel accommodations at the time were not only respect
able, but decidedly good. The National (now Morton) had a
wide reputation. The Rathbun House was popular, and so
were the Eagle and the little Michigan.
Trade was a round-about concern. The mercantile interest

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 381
M'as represented by about a dozen general merchants; one
drug store, two hardware stores, and eight or ten groceries.
The stocks of goods were small — from $3,000 to $5,000 — gen
erally bought and sold on credit. The Winsors and Roberts
combined lumbering with their mercantile business. The
other merchants— Kendall, Lyon, Lyman, Morrison, Finny,
Pierce, Sinclair, Bemis, Evans, Noble, Rose & Covell, and
AVaring — did business as they could; getting some cash;
trusting extensively, especially those who were carrying on
such business as required the employment of others. As most
of the business men had little capital, they were obliged to
make arrangements with the merchants, to give orders on
their stores, they themselves to pay when they got their returns.
Of course, to do business in this way, goods must be sold at a
high figure. "One per cent." was the ruling profit; that is
one cent profit for one cent investment. Let us not censure
the merchant for his high profits. It was the only way busi
ness could be done. It seems hard that the farmer must give
that high price for his supplies, and pay in wheat at fifty cents
a bushel. But it must be borne in mind that the merchant
could not get his pay for a long time, with a fair chance of
never receiving it at all. This way of doing business is sel
dom successful for the trader. All experience showed that, on
the whole, it was slow accumulation, or, more likely, bank
ruptcy. The farmers who were trusted in this way are now
thankful for the accommodation.
Grand Rapids had been a theatre of speculation. By refer
ence to the communication of Mr. Ball, it will be seen what,
were the ideas about ten years before, when lots were held at
about $50 per front foot. There was no such talk in 1846-7.
During those years, some tranfers were made on Monroe and
Canal streets: The two lots forming the corner, north of
Lyon street, at its junction with Canal street, were sold for
$400. A lot below Waterloo street, on Monroe street, with a
a building on it, for $400; and a lot on the north side of Mon
roe street, nearly opposite, for $400. Lots op. Division street,
between Fulton and Bronson, were held at $200. Lots on the
Avest side, from $10 to $25. On the hill, on Dexter Fraction,

382 MEMORIALS OF THE
they were offered, but not sold, for $10. On Bostwick's Ad
dition, they were sold for $25.
Outside of the village there was no fanciful value to the land.
Kendall's Addition was bought for $47 per acre; and the lot
east of it offered for $20. Three miles out of town the best
land was considered worth from $3 to $4; held loosely at that.
The fact was, a great share of the property had non-resident
owners. They had become sick of their investment, and were
anxious to get rid of it, letting it be sold for taxes. If you
had any " property " you could always sell it, if you would
take land or lots for pay; these being hardly considered val
uables. O, what offers we all refused in those days! It makes
us look blue when we recollect them; when we see, if we had
only been able to look ahead, we might now be rolling in our
wealth. How sad is the thought, " It might have been."
The village of Grand Rapids had three public and three pri
vate schools. School-house No. 1 was on Fulton street, on the
north side, below Prospect street. It was a very respectable
one-story building, which would accommodate two teachers
and about 80 scholars. It was taught by W. W. Weatherby,
assisted by a lady. The next year it was taught by a Mr.
Marsh; an able man; a powerful writer, and skillful teacher.
Mr. Marsh left his mark on Grand Rapids. He first broached
the idea of a union school; and selected the site for it. It
Avas the energetic representations of Marsh and of Mr. Wood,
then a merchant, but afterwards a teacher in the Union School,
that aroused the public to do something for their schools.
John Ball fell in with the idea of Marsh and Wood ; and the
result was, an awakening of public sentiment and an accom
plished fact. Marsh died soon after. The last teacher in No.
1 was Thomas Cumming, who had returned from the Avar in
Mexico. No. 2, " up in Kent," was in a hired building, and was kept
by Zimri Burnham. There was also a small school on the
west side. No. 1 was burned in 1849.
At that time the private schools completely overshadowed
the public ones, and the teachers in the public schools had no
enviable position in consequence. In the village there was

: '

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 883
little interest taken in the district schools, while the' private
schools were strong in the public sympathy.
The Academy was partly in the court house on the public
square, and partly in the cottage building at its N. E. corner.
It was under the charge of Franklin Everett, assisted by his
Avife, Thomas Cumming and Miss Elizabeth White. This Mr.
Cumming was a recent graduate from Ann Arbor; a young
man of the highest promise. A few years afterwards he was
acting governor of Nebraska, where he was one of the dom
inant spirits. He died, still a young man.
The Catholics had an academic school at the corner of
Monroe and Ottawa streets, under the charge of Mr. Cock.
A young ladies' school was on the opposite side of Monroe
street, taught by a Miss Janes. This school was given up
in the fall of 1846, Miss Janes having concluded she would
rather be the wife of Mr. William Parks than the principal of
a young ladies' school. Many are there now among the
matrons of the Yalley, who affectionately recollect their
loving teacher, Miss Janes. She left her impress on hearts;
and became an honored portion of the history of the Yal
ley. Tliere were no facilities in the Grand River region for
higher education, except what were afforded by the three
above-mentioned schools at Grand Rapids; and of these the
people liberally availed themselves. Two of these certainly
were good ones. A reference to the title page of this book will
show why an opinion is withheld as to the merits of the
other. Outside of the village of Grand Rapids, the schools were as
good as could be expected. The people, in general, felt an in
terest in them, and supported them as well as they could.
Most of the houses were cheap structures (they could afford
no other) ; and from necessity, cheap teachers were employed.
Schools Avere mostly maintained in the districts six or seven
months in the year — generally taught by the students of the
high schools.
On the whole, it is to be recorded as a fact, that about the
first thing the settlers, then generally with very little means,

384 MEMORIALS OF THE
taxed themselves for, was to build a school house. A few of
these school houses remain; while most of them have given
place to elegant and costly buildings. But it must be borne
in mind that it was more of an undertaking to build the first
than the second. Time brought capital, and capital puts up
fine structures. The first houses were built when a dollar was
a hard thing to get hold of.
The people of the Grand River Yalley are two remoA7es from
old Massachusetts. Their fathers moved to Western NeAV
York, and they — the sons — to Michigan. The first thing the
colonists of Massachusetts thought of, was to build a church,
or "meeting-house;" settle a "minister," and employ, as an
humble dependent on him, a school-master to teach the chil
dren reading, writing, arithmetic and the catechism. In the
schools Avere the " spelling-book class, the Testament class,
and the Bible class." All was secondary to the church, and
had reference only to that; as it is with our Sabbath schools
ofthe present day.
New York secularized those sons of Massachusetts ; so that
in their minds the schools Avere not an appendage to the
churches, but a part of the public. There, churches, instead
of being the basis of society, were an outgroAvth from the wants
and desires of the people. Those built them who chose; but
the schools were for the public to take care of.- These grand
sons of New England, who came to the wilds of Michigan,
brought with them the New York idea. " Build school-houses
first," was the principle on which they acted. No dark corner
was left where the school-house and school teacher were not.
As a result, those raised in the Grand River Yalley do not sign
their names with a mark — no, not one of them.
The schools, at the time we are considering, it is true,
were humble; but they were efficient. A view of the Yalley
will demonstrate the fact that the spirit of early times is
the spirit of the present. In each city, village, hamlet or
neighborhood the school-house and the school are the things
dearest to the people. Go where you will, and look at the
school-houses; you will not return and blush for the Grand
River Yalley.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 385

GEAND EAPIDS.
For the early history of the city, the reader is referred to
the articles that have preceded. The Grand Rapids that was
has been spoken of. The Grand Rapids of the present will
show what has been done — jumping 30 years.
TOPOGRAPHY OF GRAND RAPIDS.
As the original characteristics of the ground are fast disap
pearing, it is considered that it will not be without interest to
show what was the contour of the ground before man made it
over to suit his purposes.
The west side, from the river to the bluffs, was mostly a
level plain, covered Avith granite boulders, and diversified only
by a marsh north of Bridge street, about half way between the
river and the bluffs, and extending far to the north; and a
shallow ravine below Bridge street. Some half mile below
Pearl street bridge, near the river, were some Indian burial
mounds. On the east side, near the river, the land was lower; along
where are Canal and Kent streets, somewhat marshy, kept wet
by the springs from the hills above. Below Pearl street, the
ground was mostly dry, but low, and deeply covered by water in
times of flood. It was cut by a small brook from the east, mak
ing a little ravine. Still further south was a ridge of land,
rising steep from the river, and descending more gently towards
the east. This ridge will probably always remain sufficiently
to show its general character and direction; though its north
ern end is doomed to partly disappear.
An isolated hill began east of Canal street, about 150 feet
north of Lyon street, and extended in a southeasterly direc
tion nearly to the head of Monroe street, or about half way
between Ottawa and Division streets. Into the southern slope
of this hill Monroe street was dug. The general height of
25

386 MEMORIALS OF THE
this ridge was not far from the level of Division street. East
of this ridge, commencing at the corner of Division and Mon
roe streets, and running northward beyond Lyon street, was a
musical frog-pond. The low land east of the river ridge, in
the south part ofthe town, was a peat-bog — it has been filled
several feet — from that bog eastward the ascent was gradual;
and the general contour of the ground has not been essentially
A-aried by man ; neither is it likely to be.
Commencing at the Union School House, and running
north to near Cold Brook, the sand bluff was as steep as the
earth Avould lie. To obtain the grade of Lyon street, it was
cut to the depth of thirty feet. Above the bluff was nearly a
plain; broken at the north by a wide ravine from Bridge
street, descending by nearly an uniform slope to Cold Brook.
Through this ravine La Fayette street has its course. The
northern part of the sand bluff, near and beyond the reservoir,
Avas broken by ravines. The same bluff presented a bold
front towards Cold Brook. North of the reservoir, the cutting
of the D. & M. Railroad was fifty feet.
A string of three islands, scarcely separated, extended down
the river from Pearl street bridge ; a part of the river channel
was east of them. This channel was used by the river craft
until about 1852. Steamboats landed their freight at about the
junction of Monroe and Pearl streets, or where the building
stands that breaks the line. The land north, where stands the
hotel and most of it north of Pearl street is made land, where
Wadsworth's mill and dam once stood. The jail is on '• Island
No. 1." Canal street, at its present grade (which probably
will not be changed), is filled from four to fifteen feet betAveen
Pearl and Bridge street. Its greatest filling is at its southern
end, Avhich was a little bay of the river.
The marsh on the Avest side Avas drained this year (1875), and
takes its place as dry land, ready to be built upon. The region
along Waterloo street, and up the southern lowlands east of
the ridge, are raised; or in process of being raised. The Cold
Brook region is much filled, further than what has been men
tioned. The future observer will be able to see the general
contour of the land occupied by the city, as it was before civ
ilized man began his labors there.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 3S7
GRAND RAPIDS STREETS AND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS.
The names of streets are often historical monuments. The
persons who plat cities, or their additions, are allowed the priv
ilege of giving names to the streets. With them, in most
cases, the names have associations. It may be only their fan
cy for an euphonious word, or the well-known name of a street
in some famous city. More commonly, the streets are named
after some one whom it is intended to compliment, or whose
memory it is intended to perpetuate. Again, a peculiarity in
the situation of the street itself will give it a name. Grand
Rapids has streets whose names belong to each of these classes.
Passing by those that are ostensibly imitative, or named
from places or famous men, we will note those that have asso-
tions connected with them, and where the association is not
apparent. Ferry — where the old Ferry was.
Fountain — from the fine spring by its side.
Spring — from its large spring.
College Avenue — When Geo. Kendall laid out his addition,
tliere was the project of a college at Grand Rapids, and he de
voted grounds to it. The charter of a college was obtained,
and the college started, but died.
Island — from the island at the foot of it; island no longer.
The time will come when it will be merely historical that there
was a string of three islands below Pearl street bridge ; that
the steamboat channel was between those islands and the east
bank ofthe river; and that the landing was where now are the
blocks of stores east of Pearl street bridge; that the jail is on
an island.
Lock — At the head of the first canal was a " guard lock."
This " guard lock " has its romantic associations. " The course
of true love never runs smooth," was suggested by the romance
of the " guard lock." Tradition, and not history, will pre
serve that romance.
Kent — Louis Campau laid out a village, and called it " Grand
Rapids." Soon after, Lucius Lyon platted the land north of
it, and called it " Kent." Each was intent on fixing the name
ofthe embryo city. The name of the county was Kent, given

388 MEMORIALS OF THE
in honor of Chancellor Kent, of New York. For many years,
the village was spoken of in two parts — "Grand Rapids" and
" Kent." The failure of the Kent Company, and the troubles
about the property there, caused Kent to sink to be a depend
ency of Grand Rapids, and it lost the name. Kent was the
portion west of Division street, and between Lyon and Bridge
streets. Many names will be recognized as those of the persons who
platted the additions to the city, and to many they gave the
Christian names of their children. It is not necessary to
specify these.
Almy — from Judge Almy.
Coit, Waldbridge, Grant, Ellsworth — from large owners of
land in the region, but never citizens.
Bronson — tells us that such a man as Stephen Bronson once
lived, who held that vexatious " mortgage" given by Lucius
Lyon on the Kent plat. He was a large land OAvner in Mich
igan; laid out the village of Kalamazoo and called it Bronson.
Oaks — from Charles Oaks, of Grandville historic memory.
La Grave — -When Daniels laid out his addition, he named
a street after his father-in-law.
Lyon — from the Hon. Lucius Lyon.
Williams — from Henry R. Williams, the steamboat man.
Louis, Antoine — from Louis and Antoine Campau.
With certain knowledge with regard to a few of the streets
Avith Christian names, we note:
Rose — from the fair daughter of Thomas Sheldon.
Jonathan — so named by the Hon. Wm. A. Richmond in
honor of his father. (Good boy.)
Charlotte — name given by the Hon. E. B. Bostwick in com
pliment to his wife. (Gentlemanly husband.)
Wealthy — Given by Judge Morrison in compliment to his
wife. (Do.)
In the absence of particular knowledge, we will suppose
John street was named after John the Baptist, or another
Baptist John, Avho came home from the army with a hole in
his arm, and another in his cap.
Mary street — May mean Mary Magdalen, or any of the
thousand pretty girls that bear that favorite name.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 389
De Lony — Mr. De Lony Gunnison, it is to be hoped you
will recollect whose son you are.
Gunnison — from Capt. Gunnison, of the U. S. Engineers.
See biographical notice.
Penny — from Dr. Penny, a very learned clergyman, who for
a time resided in the city.
Prescott — from the Rev. Francis Prescott.
To attach ones name to a street proves the desire to be re
membered. To have ones name so placed by the public is a
real compliment — a distinction. We seek immortality, and
dread oblivion. O, this being forgotten! how it haunts us all.
After all, there is but one way of living after we are dead.
Something must be done worthy of remembrance. How many
of us have done that something! Oblivion — how it engulphs
us! CITY GOVERNMENT.
Organized May 20th, 1850. Henry R. Williams, Mayor;
Leonard Bement, Recorder; Aaron B. Turner, Clerk; Amos
Roberts, Charles W. Taylor, Lovel Moore, Dr. Joseph Penny,
Isaac Turner, Aldermen; Alfred X. Cary, Marshal.
1851 — Ralph W.Cole, Mayor; Franklin Everett, Recorder ;
A. Hosford Smith, Clerk; Abram W. Pike, Marshal; Amos
Roberts, Martin L. Sweet, George Kendall, Wm. C. Davidson,
Loren M. Page, Aldermen; Wilder D. Foster, Treasurer.
1852 — Wm. H. Withey, Mayor; Leonard Bement, Records
er; A. Hosford Smith, Clerk; Wm. C. Davidson, Marshal;
W. D. Foster, Treasurer; Wilder D. Foster, David Caswell,
Aaron Dikeman, Silas Hall, Jacob Woodward, Aldermen.
1853— Thomas B. Church, Mayor; John F. Godfroy, Re
corder; P. R. L. Pierce, Clerk; Robert I. Shoemaker, Mar
shal; Charles Shepard, David Caswell, Noyes L. Avery, Eli-
phalet H. Turner, Ralph W. Cole, Aldermen.
1854 — Wilder D. Foster, Mayor; Ebenezer S. Eggelson,
Recorder; P. R. L. Pierce, Clerk; R. I. Shoemaker, Marshal;
Charles Shepard, Martin L. Sweet, Benjamin B. Church, Eli-
phalet Turner, P. H. BoAvman, Aldermen.
1855 — Charles Shepard, Mayor; Lovell More, Recorder;
P. R. L. Pierce, Clerk; Leonard Covell, Marshal;- Edson Ful-

390 MEMORIALS OF THE
ler, Treasurer; Alonzo Piatt, Alexander McKenzie, Wm. N.
Cook, Wm. K. Wheeler, Philander H. Bowman, Aldermen.
1856. — John M. Fox, Mayor; Stephen G. Champlin, Re
corder; James Blair, Clerk; Ebenezer Anderson, Treasurer;
Ira " Hatch, Marshal; Thomson Sinclair, Harry H.Ives,
Geo. Hr. Allen, James P. Littlefield, Lucius Pattison, Alder
men. 1857 — Wm. T. Powers, Mayor; S. G. Champlin, Recorder;
Charles B. Benedict, Clerk; Eb. Anderson, Treasurer; D.
S. T. Weller, Marshal; Warren P. Mills, H. H. Ives, Amos
Rathbun, Jonathan F. Chubb, James N. Davis, John Clancy,
Robert Hilton, Ransom C. Luce, Leonard Covell, and Philan
der H. Bowman, Aldermen.
1858— Gilbert M. McCray, Mayor; S. G. Champlin, Re
corder; Charles B. Benedict, Clerk; Francis Yogt, Treasuree;
Geo. C. Evans, Marshal; John McConnell, John Almy, Noyes
L. Avery, John N. Williams, James N. Davis, John Clancy,
Robert Hilton, R. C. Luce, Leonard Covell, Philander H.
Bowman, Aldermen.
1859 — George K. Johnson, Mayor; Charles P. Calkins, Re
corder; Evert M. Doubleday, Clerk; Adolphus F. Rau, Treas
urer; Leonard Snyder, Marshal; Aldermen — John Clancy,
Harry Ives, R. C. Luce, Wm. A. Hyde, Chester S. Morey,
John McConnell, John Almy, Noyes L. Avery, John N. Wil
liamson, James N. Davis.
1860— Martin L. Sweet, Mayor; E. M. Doubleday, Clerk;
Paul Stickatee, Treasurer; James Cavenaugh, Marshal; Alder
men — Charles L. Henderson, Elijah D. Waters, Alfred X.
Cary, Leonard Covell, Isaac Turner.
[The aldermen are now elected for two years, so half of the
council Avill be those in the first list last year.]
1861— George H. White, Mayor; John P. Champlin, Re
corder (2 years); Noah Stevens, Treasurer; Charles H. Eaton,
Clerk; Leonard Snyder, Marshal; Wm. II. Godfroy, James
F. Grove, Henry S. Smith, John T. Elliott, Martinus Ceator,
Aldermen, with those elected last year.
1862— Geo. H.White, Mayor;" Charles W. Eaton, Clerk;
Noah Stevens, Treasurer; Leonard Snyder, Marshal ; Israel L.

GRAND RIVER YAXLEY. 391
Crittenden, George M. Huntly, Ransom C. Luce, John R.
Long, Newton T. Smith, Aldermen.
1863— Charles C. Comstock, Mayor; Charles P. Calkins,
Recorder; Wm. A. Powers, Clerk; Noah Stevens, Treasurer;
Francis Boxheimer, Marshall; Wm. H. Godfroy, Robert
Davidson, Wm. H. Stewart, Alexander Milmine, Thomas
Doran, Aldermen.
1864 — Charles C. Comstock, Mayor; George W. Thayer,
Clerk; J. Frederick Baris, Treasurer; Henry Bremer, Mar
shal; Julius Houseman, George C. Fitch, R. C. Luce, Lowell
Hall, Geo. R. Pierce, Aldermen.
1865— Wilder D. Foster, Mayor; John T.Miller, Recorder;
Buel H. Babcock, Marshall; J. F. Baars, Treasurer; Edwin
Baxter, Clerk; Wm. Riordan, David P. Clay, Edward Mohl
(to fill vacancy), Simeon L. Baldwin, Franklin B. Day, Isaac
Turner (to fill vacancy), Charles G. Brinsmaid, Aldermen.
1866— W. D. Foster, Mayor; Buel H. Babcock, Marshal;
Robert Wilson, Clerk; John F. Baars, Treasurer; Julius
Houseman, Benton C. Saunders, R, C. Luce, Joseph Tomp
kins, Francillo Hall, Aldermen.
1867 — John H. Champlin, Mayor; Birney G. Hoyt, Re
corder; J. F. Barrs, Treasurer; Benj. F. Sliter, Clerk; Eben
ezer Anderson, Marshal; Dennis W. Bryan, Simeon L. Bald
win, Harry II. Ives, William Widdecomb, Adolphus L.
Skinner, Alderman.
1868 — Moses Y. Aldrich, Mayor; Miles S. Adams, Mar
shal; Charles W. Warrell, Clerk; J. F. Baars, Treasurer;
Julius Houseman, Benton C. Saunders, Ransom C. Luce,
Isaac Turner, Chester S. Morey, Aldermen.
1869 — Moses Y. Aldrich, Mayor; Birney Hoyt, Recorder;
Allen P. Collar, Marshal; Charles Warrell, Clerk; James D.
Lyon, Treasurer; Thomas Smith, Harry H. Ives, Simeon L.
Baldwin, Alexander Milmine, Thomas Doran, Aldermen.
1870 — Moses Y. Aldrich, Mayor; John F. Baars, Treasu
rer; Charles Warrell, Clerk; Allen P. Collar, Marshal; John
S. Farr, Henry Spring, Wm. Greulich, Adolph Leitelt, Daniel
E. Little, Aldermen.
1871 — Leonard H. Randall, Mayor; G. Chase GodAvin, Re-

392 MEMORIALS OF THE
corder; Charles Warrell, Clerk (2 years); J. F. Baars, Treasu
rer; A. P. Collar, Marshal; John Grady, Thomas Smith, Hen
ry Miller,-}- Geo. G. Stickatee, John A. S. Yerdier, Peter Gran
ger, John Dale,-}- James R. Lameraux,f David Lemon, Alex
ander Milmine, Thomas Thomas Doran, Aldermen.
[The three marked with a f were for one year.J
1872 — Julius Houseman, Mayor; J. F. Baars, Treasurer;
James Lyon, Marshal ; Dennis W. Bryan, John Kendall, Sim
eon L. Baldwin, Adolph Leitelt, Robert W. Woodcock, John
French, Samuel O. Dishman, William H. Powers, Alder
men. 1873 — P. R. L. Pierce, Mayor; J. F. Baars, Treasurer;
C. W. Warrell, Clerk; John Grady, Thomas Smith, George
G. Stickatee, John S. Yerdier, Ichabod L. Quimby, Frederich
J. Little. Alex. Milmine, Peter Weirich, Aldermen; Thomas
Doran, Marshal.
1874 — Julius Houseman, Mayor; J. F. Baars, Treasurer;
Thomas Doran, Marshal; Patrick O'Niel, John Kendall, Win.
B. Remington, Frederick Leitelt, B. C. Sanders, John French,
Samuel O. Dishman, Alfred Crawford.
1875— P. R. L. Pierce, Mayor; Charles W. Warrell, Clerk;
Leonard H. Randall, Treasurer; Thomas Doran, Marshal;
John Grady, Charles W. Caukin, Lewis. W. Heath, Charles
A. Hilton, Samuel A. Hogeboom; Isaiah Stewart, Alexander
Milmine, Peter Weirich, Aldermen.
COMMUNICATION WITH THE AVORLD.
At first Grand Rapids was isolated, being itself an ad
vance post of civilization. In summer the people did not par
ticularly feel their loneliness, as they had free communication
by water. At an early day, steamboats Avere put on the river
beloAv, and pole boats plied above. Stages run on the road or
trail from Battle Creek, and at a later day from Kalamazoo.
These stages were not coaches, but mere covered wagons. At
the opening of the plank road to Kalamazoo, coaches replaced
the lumbering Avagons. That road was felt to be a great
thing for the place, though those who invested in it sunk all
their capital. In Avinter the place for commercial purposes
was practically " bottled-up." The first railroad was the De-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 393
troit & Milwaukee, which dates from 1853. Since then, com
munication has been opened in all directions.
Her railroads now (1876) are the D. & M., the Chicago &
Lake Michigan, Grand Rapids & Indiana, G. R. & Newaygo,
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and. Michigan Central;
affording eight different ways of approaching or leaving the
city, in addition to the steam navigation of the river. It
should have been mentioned in place, that for a few years be
fore the D. & M. railroad was made, small steamers plied
above the Rapids to Lyons, and a line of stage wagons. ' These
were then Avithdrawn.
Grand Rapids, which in 1850 was a kind of advanced
picket on the frontier of civilization, has become a central
city ; for a part of the State metropolitan, with every facil
ity for communication with the outside world that it can
desire. FIRE DEPARTMENT.
As in many other new places, the people at first built and
acted in utter disregard of danger from fire. The place had 2,000
inhabitants before it had a fire engine of any kind, or any fire
organization. If a building got on fire, it burned down, of
course. About 1848, the first fire companies Avere started.
Two engines of small capacity were procured, one manned by
boys. Some sad warnings that these were insufficient, caused
others to be procured. Still, the spirit of economy rendered
these inefficient. Much time would be lost in getting the en
gines into play, and then, in many parts of the city, the water
supply was lacking.
In 1873, the people and authorities became thoroughly sen
sible that something more efficient must be done. The water
works Avere provided for, and tliere was about this time a thor
ough re-organization of the fire department. Now, with our
paid men always ready, our water everywhere, and with the
"Little General" at the head, we have little fears from fire.
The neAV organization and water-Avorks, costly as they have
been, and are, have been found to be a good investment. Per
haps no city has a better fire organization.

394

MEMORIALS OF THE

OLD RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATIONS.
The isolation from general society, the privations and hard
ships of pioneer life, and the early community of thought and
feeling, engendered a strong fraternal feeling among the early
settlers. As, one by one, they pass over the Dark River, to be
seen no more, the spirits of the survivors are drawn into closer
alliance. Dear, doubly dear, are the associates of early days.
As -a token of their mutual interest, and to perpetuate the spirit
of fraternity, the old residents have banded themselves into
associations, that meet in the spirit of true fraternity, talk over
the days " lang syne," living over again the years that are past.
Associations of this kind are at Grand Rapids, Grand Haven,
Ionia, LoAvell and Rockford. The present work is an out
growth of these fraternal unions; undertaken under their au
spices, and carried on under their patronage. The following,
expressive of the spirit of the fraternity, was read at their fes
tival at Grand Rapids, Feb. 8th, 1876:

MYTHIC JOE 8 ADDRESS.
BY F. EVERETT.

I wonder if I am the person,
And the region around is the same,
That it was forty years in past time
When first to this valley I came.
I hardly can think I'm the same one ;
For he did not walk ^ ;'h a cane ;
His beard was not grizzled, as mine is ;
I've been changed for another, 'tisplain.
I should not be known by my moLher,
Should she look through the starlight of
heaven.
For the son, who, dark -eyed and lightsome,
Came here in the year' thirty-seven.
I came with my blue-eyed Mary ; —
(0 was she not beautiful, then !)
To hew out a hinne in this valley,
Away from all civilized men.
We had personal reasons for coming;
That is, my Mary and I:—
We had loved ; run away, and got married;
Her father was mad ; that is why
AVe chose to go into the wild-woods,
To give him a time to get over
His wrath, that his daughter had fooled
him,
And slyly eloped with her lover.
I laughed at his rage ; I had got her !
1 now think he was not to blame,
Time often will alter opinion: —
My daughter has played me the same.
I now have a house that is painted ;
And a farm, whose acres are wide ;
And Hook on my cattle and bank-book
With a little of aomt-thing like pride ;
My daughter plays on her piano ;
And I sit in that parlor of mine,
My gray-haired Mary beside me.
And think of the days lang syne,

When our home was a little log cabin,
Surrounded by wide-spreading woods;
When our laud, our steers, and a kettle
Were the sum of our earthly goods.
We extemporized chairs and a tahle ;
(Of chairs we scarce needed but one,)
And bright was the fire in our cabin,
When the day's hard labor was done.
"Hard labor!" Lord bless you! 'twas
fun then
To pitch into a big maple tree ;
To see it tremble and totter,
And fall, in obeisance to me.
'Twas fun, too, when done with my chop
ping,
And the shadows of evening appear,
To shoulder my rifle, and bring home
A noble big turkey or deer.
I said, that now we have music
At home in our parlor fair;
But then the music of nature
Was free in the woodland air.
The frogs were peeping in concert ;
The locusts were trilling their song:
The katy-dids scraped on their fiddles:
And the owls hooted mellow and strong.
We enjoyed the wolf s.hoarse howling,
As through the forest it rung ;
The soul-moving notes ofthe robin.
And the songthat the whippoorwill sung.
The music of Natuie was cheering,
Enjoyed by Mary and me.
As we sat outside of our cabin
Beneath a tall linden tree.
We welcome now in our parlor,
Young company, gay and fair;
And the gray-haired friends of old-time
Have a heart-whole welcome there.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

395

We meet :— that is, veteran gray-beards;
Talk politics, religion and stocks,
The prospects of wheat or lumber ;
Our cattle, our horses or flocks,
We talk of the coming election,
And try to be wise or gay ;
But 1 tell you, the mind has been wander
ing
To scenes of an earlier day.
Recollection will master the'present.
With all it? excitement and strife:
And we are soon in the midst of our stories
Of old-time pioneer life.
One tells of his hunting adventures;
Another his pipe will fill,
And recount his patient endurance
In the dreadful journey to mill.
One tells of fording the river,
With the anchor-ice running free;
Another remembers his shivering
All night in a wolf-circled tree.
One tells of his adventure by moonlight;
That a bear in his pig-pen he spied ;
And how, after some desperate fighting.
The poacher surrendered his hide.
But longest we are wont to linger,
Most dearly we love to hear,
When the stories come up, revealing
The soul of the old pioneer ;
When man hailed man as a brother;
And was ready his little to share ;
When each woman was recognized sister;
Aud each for his neighbor had care.
The glorious logging bee parties !—
Hard work a holiday spree,
For the fair at the house were arranging
For an evening of heartiest glee.
From the region around'all had gathered ;
The logging was first to be done ;
And Then came the washing and supper,
And the evening of rollicking fun.
Ellis was there with his fiddle;
And the music he gave was prime ;
Men danced in their frOcfes and stogas,
In defiance of rule and time.
The dance had an inspiration
TJnfelt at cotillion or ball ;
For intensified soul was in it,
One spirit was moving us all.
Our children are much more graceful,
But little they know, perchance,
Of the soul-felt, real enjoyment,
When Nature inspires the dance.
To find where unfetiered nature
The most inspirits and cheers.
You must enter the rustic log-cabins
Of the woodland pioneers.
Now we meet, are correct in deportment.
Our airs have been learned in the schools;
And we are politely observant
Of etiquette's stringent rules.
We are gentlemen now, and ladies,
Repressing our warmest desires ;
We are studying, watching and trying
To learn what fashion requires.
We run into cliques and coteries ;
We are anxious to keep our place,
Cold art has supplanted nature,
And soul has conceded to grace.
But, p oneer brother or sister,
Reviewing the bygone years,
Having lived in Nature and fashion.
Say, which the most lovely appears?
In the days wnen neighbor was brother
And heart gave society tone,
Our world was indeed a small one ;
But that little world was our own.
Then etiquette did not rule us ;
We had no aristocracy then,

Heart-whole was our social enjoyment,
For we met as women aud men.
Warm sympathy bound us together,
And one m another believed,
We rejoiced when another was happy,
And grieved when another was grieved.
Yet think not, although we were happy,
We were content this state should abide ;
We then on our hopes were living,
As now we are living on pride-
For the future we had an ideal ;
Both fancy and hope had play;
What then was anticipation,
Is realization to-day.
Perhaps some of our civilized moderns
Will turn up their noses in scorn,
At our shouting from cabin to cabin ;
" A baby ! A baby is born !"
That we all must go over and see it,
And feast our fond eyes with the sight ;
That we talked all day of the baby,
And dreamed of tho" baby at night;
That baby not ours, but a neighbor's ;
So short of these times did we come,
When babies are out of the fashion,
And not welcomed, even at home;
But then each new soul had a welcome ;
In demonstrative style it was given,
And we greeted a soul now-born
As not from New York, but Heaven.
We mean to be social and feeling,
And genial with man to-day,
But, with joy and with sorrow familiar.
We can't give the spirit its play.
A funeral cortege is passing ;
"Pis little for that we care ;
This bearing one off to be buried
Is an every-day, common affair ;
Twas not so, as you well may remember,
iff e felt, when a spirit had fled ;
There was sadness and doleful heart-sink
ing
When we learned that a settlerwas dead ;
From far and from near all gathered,
Each countenance clouded with gloom,
Subdued was the voice's expression
In view of the opening tomb.
With heart-felt sorrow we buried
The form that had yielded its breath,
And sadly we turned us homeward,
O'erawed by the presence of death.
With our bays we ride in a phaeton;
That is, my Mary and I,
Some say prosperity puffs us,
That our notions are getting too high,
But I like my bays and phaeton;
Who don't? I would like to know.
Myself, my girls and my Mary
Delight in a little of show.
But still we have not forgotten
That, ere fashion had come this way,
Asled drawn by Bright and Brindle,
For us was a turnout gay.
With them we went on a visit,
Or to meeting, when a preacher came;
This was nothing our pride to humble,
For our neighbors all did the same.
My coat and my pants were seedy,
Mary's dress was the worse for wear;
We had no fine clothes for our children,
But little for these did we care ;
Content, with but humble ambition,
We were willing our life to begin,
.Well off as the rest, we were happy-
Madam Grundy had not yet come in.

396

MEMORIALS OF THE

But she came, as is always her custom,
And she opened our back-woods eyes;
Her mission was that of the serpent
To the settlors in Paradise.
We saw that our homes were outlandish;
Aud she made every one of us feel
That we were barbarian rustics—
In everything ungcnteel,
The romance from life was taken";
It lost all its primitive cheer;
To be was no more our ambiiion.
The struggle was now to appear.
And here then began the hard labor,
The charm of life faded away;
Thus far we had worked for a living,
Henceforth we must live for display.
My Mary and I can do it,
And we would not like to spare.
For the sake of primeval enjoyment,
These many new sources of care.
If our object was just to be harjpy,
We would live as the animals do —
Social, loving, unthinking,
Sinii.le ami ignorant, too.
Now.Mary and I have a notion
We would not be happy again ;
That great is'the power of Mrs. Grundy
For developing women and men.
We came to the woods as we found them,
The struggle of life to begin ;

Contented and happy while striving
A home and a foi tune to win.
We have seen the forest receding.
Farms and cities have taken its place;
Seen Nature give place to culture,
And all wear a different face.
And we hope that we have expanded
As fortune has given us chance;
That mental and moral improvement
Keeps pace with the region's advance.
But still vvc will look back with pleasure ;
To-night we will not be wise.
We'll think not of present or future,
Or of time, how guiokly it flies ;
We have met to enjoy and live over
The day-< when our pleasures were few,
To foster the spirit fraternal,
And the ties of past yeais to renew.
One by one our voices are failing";
There is a summons that's waiting us
all;
One by one our friends have responded ;
Who next will respond to the call ?
'Tis the wish of myself and my Mary,
That as long as cxi tence shall last,
With mind and with fortune expanded,
We may cling to the soul of the past.
That over our final departure
A halo of light may appear,
That our record of life may be stainless,
And our graves be bedewed by a tear.

SCHOOLS IN GRAND RAPIDS.
At first, the few settlers at what is nowthe city, availed
themselves of the Mission School. Who first started any other
school is so much in doubt and dispute that it will be passed by
as unsettled. It is by some of the old residents confidently as
serted that the first school, other than the Mission School,
was taught by Sophia Page, daughter of Dea. Page, near
where stands the Morton House. Her married name is
Bacon. A school by Reed's Lake was started in the winter
of 1834, by two young girls, Euphemia Davis, daughter of
Ezekiel Davis, and Sophia Reed, daughter of Lewis Reed.
This school, for the families immediately around there, was in
the upper part of a log house; and was maintained by those
girls for the most of a year. This Miss Davis is now the wife
of Dr. Jewett, a missionary in India, among the Telegoos.
Sophia Reed, as the wife of Dixon Davis, died Nov. 1863,
leaving a large family.
The next year a school house was built (probably the first
in the Valley), and a young man named Francis Prescott,
taught during the winter. This Mr. Prescott came out as a
carpenter and land-looker; while here, married a lady who
was assisting Mr. Slater in the Mission School; returned to

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 397
New York, where he studied theology, and became a Baptist
preacher. In 1854, he returned to Grand Rapids as pastor of
the Baptist Churcli, which post he very acceptably filled for
several years. He afterwards went to Laphamville — now
Rockford — where he died of apoplexy, Jan. 7th, 1864, aged
fifty years. He was a man of most sterling qualities, of good
ability, and a very useful preacher.
Attention was very early given to higher education; and
for many years the high schools eclipsed the others. The first
High School was started by Mr. Henry Seymour (see bio
graphical article). A charter for a academy was procured
and hk school became the Academy. Mr. Seymour WTas suc
ceeded for about two years, by Addison Ballard. Mr. Ballard
resigned to enter the ministry. In the fall of 1846, Mr. Bal
lard was succeeded in the Academy by Franklin Everett. Mr.
Ballard was a man of fine culture, a gentleman and scholar.
He is at present a popular Doctor of Divinity; has been a
professor in colleges the greater part of the time. Mr. Everett
was at first assisted by his wife and Thomas dimming
(afterwards acting Governor of Nebraska). Mr. E. and his
wife kept up the school twenty-six years. There has been no
other academic school which has had any permanency. The
reason is, the Union School had an academic character, and
being nearly free, rendered private schools nearly impossible.
Of the temporary schools, those of Mrs. Janes and Mr. Cock
are spoken of in the sketch of Grand Rapids in 1846. That
was particularly the time of private schools, the Union School
not having been started, and the common schools slighted. A
few years later a charter for a college at Grand Rapids was
obtained, and under the charter an academic school was started
with the Rev. Mr. Taylor as principal, with an able corps of
assistants. The school lasted but two or three years. A few
years after, the Rev. Mr. Staples opened a female seminary
which he maintained for a few' years with much credit to him
self. He gave it up for the ministry.
In 1848, a movement was started to organize a union
school. A Mr. Marsh, a man of great ability, was teaching
one of the district schools. The result of the movement be-

\ 1
398 MEMORIALS OF THE
gun by him was, that the two districts east of the river were
united, and a stone building three stories high, capable of ac
commodating 300 scholars, was erected in 1849, and opened in
November. It was a plain building, just west of the present
central school -house.
The school was opened under the charge of a Mr. Johnson
from Western New York, assisted by Miss Hollister (now Mrs.
Wm. M. Ferry, of Grand Haven); Miss Webster (now Mrs.
John Ball, of Grand Rapids); Miss Hinsdill (now Mrs. Jones,
of Denver), and Miss White (now Mrs. Whipple, of Grand
Rapids). Mr. Johnson, though an able, and otherwise successful teacher,
failed. to satisfy himself at Grand Rapids, and left at the end
of the first term. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. Ballard,
who had charge for three years. He was succeeded by Profes
sor Edward W. Cheesbro, who was in charge several years. He
was a man exceedingly devoted to his work. He was stricken
down in his school-room; and with intellect wasted to nothing,
died in about two years, Jan. 31st, 1862, aged 43. The inscrip
tion on his monument in Oak Hill Cemetery, most justly char
acterizes him. This monument is the tribute of his pupils:
"His was a teacher's heart,
With zeal that never tired;
And thousand souls beat higher,
By his single soul inspired."
Prof. Danforth, with Prof. Strong as academic teacher, suc
ceeded Cheesbro. Upon the retirement of Prof. D., Prof.
Strong succeeded to the superintendency with Prof. Daniels as
chief of the academic department. They have since changed
places. In the meantime, the school has been growing. The stone
building was found to be insufficient, and ward school-houses
were built for the younger scholars.
In 1853, a union school was established on the west side,
and the Rev. J. Ballard was placed in charge.
By special act, the whole city was made one school district,
under the control of a Board of Education. The Union

GRAND RIVER VALLET. 399
School on the "West side became one of the secondary
schools. With a brief statement of the present status of the school,
gathered from the Annual Report for 1876, this article will
be closed :
SCSOOL HOUSES, WITH THEIK CAPACITY AND COST.
No. rooms. Cost. Seats.
Central, onLyon Street  21  $85,000  600
Union, "Turner"  21  65,000  600
Primary No. 1, Bridge  5  25,000  300
" 2, S. Division  5  16.000  270
" 3, Fountain  9  38,000  450
"4, Wealthy Av  6  27,000  350
" " 5, Grandville  2  10,000  120
" 6, Turner  5  6,000  230
" 7, Ionia St  8  26,000  370
" 8, Jefferson  7  18,000  370
" 9, Center  4  9,000  200
SpringSt  ,  4  4,000  200
Cold Brook, Leonard St  2  6,000  150
Leonard St  2  5,000 '  150
Whole number of teachers, with the superintendent, 89-
salaries to two teachers, $2,500; one teacher, $1,800; one
teacher, $1,500; two teachers, $1,200; three teachers, $1,000;
one teacher, $800; one teacher, $700; two teachers, $600.
The other salaries are graded from $520 to $360 per year;
aggregating $44,579. Expenses and outlay for schools and
school-houses during the year, $107,687.58. Value of school
property, 340,000. Number of children from five to twenty,
$8,900. Bonded debt, 63,000. Library, 8,557 volumes.
The range of instruction is that of the best academies — fit
ting students for college or the counting-house. Latin, Greek,
German and French are in the regular or special courses of the
school. Beginning feebly in 1849, it has attained its present
high condition by successive steps— each an advance. At first it
had a slight hold on the confidence of the people, and had to make
its way against the overshadowing influence of the private
schools, and the opposition of tax-payers; in addition to the
unwillingness of the people to submit to the strictness of rules,
so indispensable in large concentrated schools. Now the

400 MEMORIALS OF THE
Union School is the school of the city, and the people are
proud of it, as their noblest institution. Its influence is over
shadowing; the people freely sustain it; and for making it a
free school in all its departments, are willing to submit to
severe taxation. The turning point in public sentiment in
regard to the Union School, was during the time it was under
the administration of Professor Cheesbro. He was not, in the
common acceptation of the term, a great man. But for whole-
souled devotion to his business, administrative talent,' and the
qualities that go to make up a good teacher, he had few equals.
A man of the purest character, devoted to his business, untir
ing in labor, he wore out what was the finest constitution;
killing himself, in fact, body and mind, by his exhausting
labors. He rests in Oak Hill cemetery. No history of Grand
Rapids would be complete, that did not recognize Prof. Chees
bro as one of the great powers instrumental in its develop
ment. His field, was mind, and the effect of his life will be
on future generations. Though short his life, it answered life's
great end. His expressive epitaph, given above, tells but the
simple truth. It is no poetic fancy.
KENT SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE.
Sometime (the particular date not preserved) in the year
1856, four men, the Hon. John Ball, James McKee, Wm. G.
Henry, and A. 0. Currier, chanced to meet in Mr. Ball's office
and were talking on scientific subjects when Mr. Ball sug
gested the formation of a Lyceum of Natural History. Act
ing on the suggestion, a meeting was called and a society
formed, under the name of "Lyceum of Natural History."
The active members of which were A. O. Currier, John Ball,
James McKee, Dr. Charles Shepard, Dr. Parker, Prof. F.
Everett, Wright L. Coffinberry, Dr. DeCamp, and Wm. G.
Henry. The meetings were kept up with a good degree of interest
until the breaking out of the war, when it apparently ceased
to exist.
At the commencement of its operation, the society contem
plated having a museum and library. Prof. Everett had a
cabinet of minerals, geological specimens, and fossils, which

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. ' 401
he used in his academy, also an extensive botanical collection.
These (without donating) he placed in the society's room. At
the re-organization, they were given. Mr. Currier and Dr. De
Camp in a similar way placed their collections. Others con
tributed, and soon the society had a respectable little museum.
When the lyceum seemed to die, the contributors generally
resumed possession of what was theirs.
In the meantime, a boy, J. Wickwire Smith, had rallied
around him a number of youths in the Union School, and for
several years they kept up a society called the Kent Institute.
Of that band young Smith was the presiding genius. He
infused his soul into the others, and their society was a bril
liant youthful success.
In December, 1867, young Smith finding his health failing,
and watching the slow progress of consumption, portending
death, and knowing that his society would die with him, pro
posed to the members of the old Lyceum of Natural History,
that the two societies should be combined. This was effected
Jan. 12th, 1868. Smith lived but a few months after the
union had been accomplished.
And here we will pause to pay a merited tribute to one of
the noblest youths that ever lived. Although he died at the
age of 19, he has left an impress behind him which never will
be obliterated. With talents of the highest order, a character
of angelic purity, and an enthusiasm for Nature which knew
no limit, he had the rare faculty of transfusing his spirit into
others. Wherever he went, his greatness was recognized
at once. Yet he was a bashful, modest youth, simple, child
like, and loving. He went to Florida in the vain hope of
improved health. There he rallied around him a, similar
circle, who recognized his genius. He sunk and died. When
his agonized father asked where he chose to be buried, he said:
" Bury me where there are the most butterflies." In his last
days he wrote to tho Kent Institute, and bequeathed to them
his collections. Let the Kent Scientific Institute never forget
J. Wickwire Smith; for, young as he was, he is the real father
of that institution.
Briefly, it may be further stated, that an alliance was soon
26

402 MEMORIALS OF THE
formed between the Society and the Board of Education, and
it has maintained an active existence.
It has an extensive museum, and is known among the culti
vators of natural science in other parts of the world. It prom
ises to be one of the institutions of the West.
BANKING IN GRAND RAPIDS.
The following carefully digested article is from the pen of
Harvey Hollister, Esq., cashier of the First National Bank.
Associated at first with Daniel Ball as his confidential clerk
and cashier, and ever afterwards with the banking interests of
the city, he may be considered as speaking ex cathedra:
THE BANKING INTERESTS OF GRAND RAPIDS.
The history of the hanking interests of this city is a remarkable one in
many respects. Less than a quarter of century has developed the entire
system, and we may say that the last fifteen years have witnessed the rise
and progress of all the banking institutions that now fill so important a
pl'ace in the prosperities of our city. The first bank or exchange office was
started by Wm. J. Wells, now deceased, in 1852, in what was formerly
known as the Rathbone block, or the " Wedge." With a very limited capital,
Mr. Wells put out his modest sign, and offered to our merchants and busi
ness men his drafts on New York, Detroit, and Chicago, in exchange for the
different sorts of currency then offered, most of which, however, was' George
Smith & Co.'s Georgia money, and South Western Plank Road currency. A
few months later, Mr. Daniel Ball offered to the business men of the town
his drafts on the different cities of the country, to procure which it was
necessary to mount up into the old wooden warehouse by outside stairs — sit
uated where now is the elegant office of the First National Bank.
From year to year, until 1861, these two banking institutions, with com
paratively limited means, furnished all the banking facilities enjoyed by the
good people, of a vigorous and growing town, and the country for many
miles about. Indeed, had it not been for the aid thus furnished many of
the enterprises then originating and now developed into wonderful prosper
ity and dimensions, would never have attained any prominence whatever.
Banking from 1850 to 1860 was a very different business in this countryfrom
banking at the present time. During those years, no more hazardous busi
ness could be engaged in. What with a heterogeneous lot of irresponsible
banks of issue scattered from Maine to Georgia (most of them in Georgia),
beset with a class of impecunious adventurers desiring and pressing
for accommodations — with but very meager facilities for obtaining intel
ligence, or of transmitting moneys — it is no wonder that those who
were engaged in the business often felt that they received but poor re
turn for all their risk and labor. The rate of exchange on New York
was oftentimes enormous, at one time rising as high as ten per cent.
on Illinois and Wisconsin Stock Bank Currency, and rarely running

• ~i«A

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 403
down to less than one-half per cent, on any land of paper money or coin.
These high rates, at that time, were due to two facts: 1st. The impossibility
of'ponverting the Western currency into Eastern currency — it not being cur
rent farther East than this State; and, 2d. The high rates of the express
companies for transmitting from the East to the West and back again. It
became necessary, many times, in order to keep the New York accounts good,
to send special messengers to Chicago or Detroit, in order to convert the mul
tifarious issues of paper money into New York drafts. With the incoming
of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, in 1859, and the Plank Road to Kal
amazoo, these difficulties of transmitting currency were in a measure obvia
ted; but the business of banking, during the first ten years of its history, —
surrounded by the uncertain values incident to an unorganized, unformed
commercial community — was neither pleasant nor profitable. Nevertheless,
both of the institutions were of great value to this new and rapidly growing
section of the State, and would have undoubtedly continued in successful op
eration but for the losses attending the winding up and failure of the Illinois
and Wisconsin banks, the currency of which, at the breaking out of the great
rebellion, formed, together with the currency known as the " Daniel Ball
currency," almost the entire circulation of the Grand River Valley. About
the year 1860, Messrs. Ledyard & Aldrich opened a discount and exchange
office in the office formerly occupied by Mr. Wm. J. Wells — he having built
for his especial use a neat wooden office, about where the entrance to the Ar
cade now is, in Powers' Block, and opposite to the imposing edifice of the
City National Bank. At this date, the aggregate banking capital of the city
could hardly ha.ve been more than $50,000— certainly not more than $75,000.
In May, 1861, Mr. Wm. J. Wells, owing to causes before referred to, was
obliged to suspend operations; and in October, 1861, the Exchange Bank of
Daniel Ball & Co. was also obliged to go into liquidation. It is only most
proper here to record the facts, that both of these institutions yielded to the
pressure of the times only after the most strenuous efforts to avert so great a
ca amity as it then seemed, both to themselves and to the community. And
also to record the fact that, within a reasonable time, both Mr. Wells and
Daniel Ball & Co. had the pleasure of liquidating in full their entire obliga
tions, with interest.
Mr. William J. Wells, our first banker, was an early settler of our city.
A man respected by all who knew him, and esteemed for his integrity, hon
orable and just dealings and blameless life. He died suddenly in 1874.
Mr. Daniel Ball, our other pioneer banker, was noted for his - energy and
business ability, combining many other enterprises with his banking estab
lishment. He was a valuable part of a vigorous whole in the make-up of
our early history, and his relinquishment of his business relations, and re
tirement from our city in 1866, left a large space which has not since been
entirely fined. He died in New York in 1873.
I have thus far omitted to mention the name of one Mr. R. Wells, who
for a brief time held forth as a private banker and custodian of other peo
ple's money. His career was so brief, and yet so painful to some of our older
inhabitants, that I will only say, that after making many promises to pay
large rates of interest, and obtaining soveral thousand dollars of the people's

404 MEMORIALS OF THE
money, he suddenly left for parts unknown, finally turning up in Califor
nia, or somewhere upon the Pacific Slope, where he now lives.
In December, 1861, Mr. M. L. Sweet opened the office formerly occupied
by Messrs. Daniel Ball & Co., and he, together with Messrs. Ledyard and
Fralic, who had succeeded, in 1860, Messrs. Ledyard & Aldrich, con
tinued until March 10, 1864, to transact the general banking business of
the city. At this date, under the direction of several of our prominent
business men, the First National Bank was organized and commenced ope
rations with Martin L. Sweet as president, and Harvey J. Hollister as
cashier, with a capital paid in of $50,000. Even at this date, in the history
of our city, this capital was deemed quite too large, and fears were enter
tained that it could not be safely invested in business paper.
In 1865, about one year later, the City National Bank was organized and
commenced business with Mr. T. D. Gilbert as President,and Mr. J. F. Baars
as Cashier, with a capital of $100,000. The impetus given to all kinds of
business by the large issues of the Government, growing out of the war, had
its effect on our city to an unusual degree, both in the accumulation of de
posits, and also in the demand for banking accommodations, so that each
year the two National banks found it necessary to increase their capacity in
both capital and clerical force. In 1866, the First National Bank increased
its capital to $100,000. In July, 1866, to $150,000. Again in 1868, it was
increased to $200,000, and in 1871, to $400,000. Meantime, the City National
Bank had increased its capital in 1867 to $200,000, in 1871 to $300,000, so
that the present capital and undivided profits of the two banks amount to not
less than $1,100,000. In 1869, the Banking House of E. P. & S. L. Fuller
was opened and continued to do a prosperous and honorable business until
1876, when they were succeeded by Messrs. Graff, Dennis & Co., a firm com
prised of young men who bid fair to retain the confidence reposed in their
successors, being entirely reliable and responsible. In 1871, Mr. M. Y.
Aldrich, formerly of the banking firm of Ledyard & Aldrich, resumed the
business of banking, and with an ample capital, succeeded rapidly to a lucra
tive business, his large line of deposits bearing testimony to the confidence
reposed in his business capacity and financial ability, by 'the people. In 1874,
Mr. L. H. Randall, associating with him Mr. Darragh, who had been for sev
eral years engaged in the business of banking in another section of the State,
and the firni of Randall & Darragh was added to the Hst of sound Grand
Rapids bankers. One more we must not fail to mention. The Grand Rap
ids Savings Bank, situated on the corner of Canal aud Pearl streets, with a
capital of $100,000, was organized about 1865. This institutition ought
to be, and we trust will be, so managed that the savings of our laboring
classes will be largely increased. The Savings Bank of this city should have
not less than $500,001) deposits, and should confine itself strictly to the sav
ings department of business. It is a safe, reliable institution, and its officers
only need to keep before the people the advantages ofthe saving system as
they do in the larger cities of this and other States. This completes the hst
of banks and bankers that have been a part of the history of Grand Rapids,
if we except, as we ought to do, that merciless swindler, Lauterette, who in two
short years, defrauded our people out of about $75,000. He came here from

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 405
the eastern part of the State, with some reputation as a banker and capital
ist, and with specious promises in the way of high rates of interest and low
exchange, induced many of our citizens to do business with him. In a fit of
insanity ( ?) he left us. The dividends on the investment thus thoughtlessly
made by many worthy people, has been only nominal.
The theory of the originator of our present national banking system in this
country was, that safety, both to the stockholder and depositor, might be
obtamed. The experience of the two thousa.nd national banks scattered over
the entire. national domain, has fully sustained this theory — based, as it was,
upon a careful system of inspection and supervision.
The object of all well organized and well directed banking institutions is
two-fold: safety to all interested, and mutual profit — both to lender and
borrower. The stockholder should have a fair return for his investment. The
customer should be recognized as one receiving and conferring favors also.
No bank can enjoy a high state of prosperity unless supported by a line of
healthy commercial customers. No mercantile or commercial interests can
thrive without ample banking capital at their command, on favorable terms.
Both banker and customer are mutually dependent.
GRAND RAPIDS CHURCHES IN 1876.
CATHOLIC.
St. Andrews — corner Sheridan and Maple streets. Membership, 4,000.
Church in process of erection, will cost $60,000. Father McManus,
Pastor. St. James — north side of Bridge street, between Broadway and Straight
streets; west side. Membership, 3,000. Father Pulcher, Pastor.
St. Mary's (west side, German)— corner of First and Turner streets..
Father Ehrenstrassen, Pastor. BAPTIST.
S. Graves, D. D., Pastor. Corner of Fountain and Bostwick streets.
Membership, 500. Cost of church edifice, $80,000.
CONGREGATIONAL.
First Cong. Church— corner of Park and East Park streets. I. Morgan
Smith, Pastor. Membership, 700.
Second Cong. Church— corner- of Grove and Plainfield avenues. E. C. 01-
ney, Pastor. Membership, 85. EPISCOPAL.
St. Mark's— east side of Division street, between Lyon and Fountain streets.
Samuel Earp, Rector. Membership, 550.
St. Paul's— east side of Turner, between Third and Fourth streets; west
side. ' Sidney Beckwith, Pastor. Membership, 180.
Good Shepherd— north-east College avenue and East Bridge street. W.
K. Knowlton, Pastor in charge.
Grace Church— Northeast corner Wealthy Avenue and Prospect streets
W. K. Knowlton, Rector.

406 MEMORIALS OF THE
CHURCH OP CHRIST.
Corner of Lyon and Division streets. S. E. Pierce, Pastor. Membership,
seventy-five. LUTHERAN.
German Lutheran — southeast corner of East Bridge and Division streets.
Henry Koch, pastor. Membership, 400.
Swedish Lutheran — east side of Sinclair, between Bridge and Hastings
streets. No pastor. PRESBYTERIAN.
Westminster — still occupying their old house on the TJ. S. lot by sufferance.
Preparing to build. F 0. Kendall, Pastor. Membership 200.
First Presbyterian Church — corner 1st and Scribner streets; west side.
W. A. Fleming, Pastor. Membership, 112.
METHODIST.
Division Street Church — corner of Division and Fountain streets. F. F.
Hildreth, Pastor. Membership, 400.
2d Street Methodist Church — corner Turner and 2d streets, west side-
Geo. D. Lee, Pastor. Membership, 250.
German M. E. Church — corner Bridge and Turner streets, west side,
Henry Pullman, Pastor. Membership, 65.
Zion M. E. Church (colored) — north side, Withey, between Jefferson and
Center streets. M. Butler, Pastor.
Wesleyan Methodist — corner Turner and Crosby streets. Obed Tapley,
Pastor. HEBREW.
Congregational Emanuel — place of worship, corner Ionia and Mon
roe streets, in Godfroy's Block. Emanuel Gerecter, Rabbi. Membership,
40. REFORMED CHURCHES.
First English — North Division street. Peter Moerdyk, Pastor. Member
ship, 85.
Second Reformed (Holland) — corner of Bostwick and Lyon streets. N. H.
Dosker, Pastor. Membership, 650.
Third Reformed (Dutch) — Fulton street, east of the city limits. Adrian
Kriekaard, Pastor.
Fourth Reformed — Legrand, near Taylor street. No Pastor.
Christain Reformed— No. 200 North Division street. C. Cloppenbery,
Pastor. Membership, 300.
True Dutch Reformed — Spring, near Island street. G. E. Boer, Pastor-
Membership, 1,500. SWEDENBORGIAN .
The society has scarcely an active existence. They own the building cor
ner of Lyon and Division streets.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 407
UNIVERSALIST.
First TJniversalist— Pearl street, between Ottawa and Ionia. Charles
Fluker, Pastor. SPIRITUALIST.
They have an association of about eighty members, but own no property,
and have no regular place of meeting
A few of the Grand Rapids churches are properly historical, being in their
several orders pioneers, and parent churches.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, GRAND RAPIDS.
As is noted elsewhere, 1836-7 brought many people to Grand Rapids; a
mixture of all sorts. As like seeks like in crystalization, so people with re
ligious opinions seek out those with whom they can sympathize. There was
the Mission, which was for a time the nucleus of the Baptists. A few were
Methodists, who banded themselves; a few had Episcopal proclivities; some
were Catholic, and to them the sainted Vizoski was spiritual leader. There
were some 25 or 30 whose preferences were Presbyterian or Congregational.
These, headed by Deacon Page and Samuel Howland, took measures to or
ganize a church. They agreed that it should be Presbyterian, as there were
no Congregational churches anywhere near. The first preacher was James
A. McCoy, who served them about a year, and came out Episcopalian. The
meetings were held at first in the dining room of the Old National Hotel;
afterwards in the Court House. In October, 1838, they invited the Rev. J.
Ballard, then preaching at Grandville, to become their pastor. He held that
position until the 1st of Jan., 1848. In the meantime, the church, following
the predilections of most of its members, had become Congregational. This
was done in 1839. In 1841, the society bought the Campau (Catholic) Church.
paying jibout $3,500 for it. In the purchase they were greatly aided by
people at the East. Mr. Ballard was followed by Rev. Thomas Jones, who
stayed three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry L. Hammond, who
stayed five years; left in 1857; succeeded by Rev. S. S. Greeley, who also
ministered five years; a part of the time on furlough as chaplain in the
army. The present incumbent. Rev. J. Morgan Smith, commenced his labors
in 1863.
The first Church, in 1872, was sold; converted into stores, and soon went up
in smoke. At the same time the present structure was built by Park Place;
costing some $70,000. Membership about 500.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Among the earlier settlers were a few whose predilections were toward the
Episcopal church — three or four who were members of the order. An effort
was made to establish the nucleus of a church in the fall of 1836; seventeen
men signing an article, by which they banded themselves, under the name of
"The Parish of St. Mark's Church." Nothing, however, seems to have
been done, further than electing a set of church officers.
Again, in the summer of 1838, by a similar article, signed by thirteen per
sons, a band, or "Association," as it was called, under the title of "St,

408 MEMORIALS OF THE
Mark's Church," made a preliminary organization. Their names were Geo.
Coggershall, John Almy, C. I. Walker, George Martin, Charles Shepard,
James Lyman, John Parnell, Wm. A. Richmond, Thomas B. Church, John
P. Calder, Henry P. Bridge.
It seems that little was done, further than electing a board of officers, a
year afterwards, Nov. 18th, 1839. That may be given as the date of the
active existence of the church or society. At this time, a call was given to
the Rev. Melanchthon Hoyt to become the pastor. A room was secured for
public services in Mr. Bridge's store.
April 26tb, 1840, measures were taken to obtain the recognition of the As
sociation as a church. At the same date, preliminaries were arranged for
erecting a church. A lot was given by Charles Carroll and Lucius Lyon,
N. W. corner, at the crossing of Bronson and Division streets. The lot im
mediately west was purchased for $100, and on them a church 27x41 feet, 14
feet posts, was erected; and consecrated April 5th, 1841. There is no record
of the date of the consecrating by the bishop. The date given is the date of
the record of the deed of consecration.
Jan. 11th, 1842, Mr. Hoyt sent to the church the alternative— to install him
as rector, or that he should resign his charge. The church accepted his
resignation with expressions of esteem and regret.
May 24th, 1843, a call was extended to the Rev. (since Dr.) Francis Cum
ming, who soon commenced his labors. The precise date of his assuming
the office is uncertain. On the records of December 25th, he is shown as
rector. Dr. Cumming took hold with energy, and under his charge the
church, increased in numbers and strength. In 1848, November 18th, the
second church was consecrated. This church was the front part — minus the
towers — of the present edifice. The building has been twice enlarged, and
modified — first in 1855, and afterwards in 1871.
May 21st, 1861. Dr. Cumming notified' the church that he had accepted the
position of chaplain of the Third Michigan Infantry; and leave of absence
was given him. The 10th of the following September, he resigned. (See Bio
graphical Article.)
Dr. Cumming was followed by Dr. I. P. Tnstin, who came July 22d, 1863;
and was the much beloved pastor until June 10th, 1870.
Oct.- 25th, 1870, the Rev. Samuel Earp was called. He filled the place very
acceptably until April 1st, 1877, when he resigned. The church has £00
communicants. This church has branched into several; by opening mission Sabbath Schools
in different parts of the city, the nucleus of churches has been established.
St. Paul's Memorial (west side) — April 20th, 1871, present number, 92
communicants; and Church ofthe Good Shepherd, comer of College Avenue
and Bridge streets. S?pt. 10th, 1873. with 60 communicants, are no longer de
pendent on St. Marks; and are under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Sydney
Beckwith. Grace Chapsl, on Wealthy Avenue, with 51 communicants, is under the
charge of the Rev. Wm. H. Knowlton.
Connected with the St. Marks Church, the St. Marks Home, a place of
refuge for the destitute and a hospital for the sick, was opened Feb. 15th,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 400
1875; which, during the first year of its existence admitted 148 persons; ex
pending between two and three thousand dollars; mostly the contribution of
those connected with St. Mark's Church. To this " Home " Dr. Piatt con-
' tributes his daily attendance. It is also a free dispensary of medicines to tho
poor. <The buildings are given rent free by Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Fuller.
It may be here remarked that Grand Rapids is the only town where the
Episcopal denomination has secured a leading position. Most of the other
churches are recent and at present comparatively feeble. The following con
densed summary of them is from the Bishop's Report for the year 1876. The
year against each church, is the date of its organization.
Cedar Springs — Kent county, 1875, mission; com. 2.
St. Mark's Mission — Coopersville, Ottawa county, 1874; com. 11.
St. Paul's— Courtland, 1860; com. 12.
St. John's— Grand Haven; 1874; Rev. Wm. Stone, Rector, com. 90.
Grace— Holland; 1867; Rev- I. Rice Taylor, Rector; com. 26.
St. Johns — Ionia, 1848; com. 93. No rector.
Holy Trinity — Mission — Lowell, 1875; com. 10.
St. Paul's— Muskegon, 1867; com. 58. Vacant.
Christ's — Plainfield, 1851; com. 4.
St. Paul's — Mission — Portland, 1872; com. 4.
Rockford — Mission— Kent county, 1874; com. 13.
Sand Lake Mission — Kent county, 1875; com. 4.
Trinity — Saranac, Ionia county, 1860; com. 55. Rev.L, L. Rogers, Rector.
Church of the Redeemer — Whitehall, Muskegon county, 1870; com. 12.
Rev. Robert Wood, Rector.
It will be seen that St. John's, at Ionia, is the only one that is not recent,
excepting the one at Plainfield, which can hardly be said to exist. The
strong footing which the order has in Grand Rapids, is mainly attributable
to the energetic action of the Rev. Dr. Cumming in early years, placing it at
once among the leading churches. BAPTIST CHURCH.
The special interest that historically attaches to a church, centers around
its origin and early progress. This church is in the Grand River Valley, the
Pioneer, originating in the Indian Mission, which ante-dated settlement.
On the removal of the Indians, in 1836, the few Baptists, viz: Dea. H.
Stone, Capt. Thomas Davis, Ezekiel Davis, Abram Randall and wife, Zelotis
Bemis and a Mr. Streeter, banded themselves, and under the pastoral guid
ance of Elder Wooster, held meetings in a room in the National Hotel. They
afterwards had the services of the Rev. T. Z. R. Jones, an able man, who was
partly sustained by the Missionary Society. They held their meetings in the
little school house on Prospect Hill, about west of the U. S. Building.
Additions were made to their number. But, unhappily, dissension marred
their prosperity. Elder Jones left, and for many years they were like sheep
without a shepherd. They had no stated supply until 1848, when having se
cured for themselves the house erected by. the Episcopal church, and em
ployed the Rev. C. A. Jennison, a man of fine culture, and of noble charac
teristics, the church seemed to spring into active life, and to prosper.

410 MEMORIALS OF THE
Failing health compelled the resignation of Elder Jennison, and he left, soon
to die. He was succeeded by the Rev. A. J. Bingham, son of the Mackinaw
Missionary; also a man of culture, and an able preacher. Mr. B. stayed
about three years. He was followed by Rev. Francij Prescott, a most wor
thy man and efficient preacher, who left for missionary work in the northern
towns ofthe county in 1856. The church then called the Rev. L. M. Wood
ruff, of Malone. N. J. Here commences a period over which history may as
well draw a veil. The result was, the church was divided into two unfra-
ternal bodies — the First and the Tabernacle churches, which division lasted
until 1869, when the two churches were united. The First Church was de
pendent for a time on temporary supply. Afterwards for five years the Rev.
Mr. Van Winkle was their pastor, who was succeeded by the Rev. Mr.
Butterfield. They built a small brick church, where the Baptist church
now is.
The Second or Tabernacle Church was for a year or so under the ministra
tion ofthe said Woodruff, followed for two or three years by C. B. Smith, D.
D., who was followed by the Rev. Mr. Reed. They bad a house of worship
on Division street, south of the U. S. Building.
At the above date, 1869, the two noble-souled pastors, Butterfield and
Reed, deeply regretting the divided state of the Baptists, both resigned, as a
step preliminary to a harmonious union of the two churches. This union
was soon effected. The Rev. Dr. Graves was called to take pastoral charge.
Steps were taken to erect a church, which was completed in 1877 — a building
which speaks for itself, costing $75,000.
Since the union, the church has been prospered, now numbering 500 mem
bers, in harmonious action, under an able leader.
It may here be briefly said that the early history, before 1846, is one of
missteps, by means of which they lost the vantage ground they had at the
first, dissatisfying many who, in their days of struggle and feebleness, would
have come in with them. Its onward progress commenced with the very
acceptable labors of the noble Jennison. The dark day again commenced in
1856. The early pastors, Jennison, Bingham and Prescott, all of blessed
memory, are dead. Two of them, Prescott and Bingham, rest in Fulton
Street Cemetery. T. Z. R. James, at a good old age, after a life of useful
ness, died in 1876, at or near Kalamazoo. The orignal members of the
churcli are all also dead. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This was one of the pioneer churches, started under the auspices of the
Ohio Conference. By that conference, in August, 1835, amission was formed,
called the "Grand River Mission," extending all along the Grand River;
to which Osband Monette was appointed; and the district was called "Ann
Arbor." Henry Coldazer was Presiding Elder. Preaching was had in pri
vate houses at Grand Rapids, once in four weeks.
In May, 1836, the Michigan Conference was created. At its first session,
held in September, Frederick A. Seaburn was appointed to the Grand River
Mission. Seaburn's mission was less than a year; he being, by an indig
nant populace, rode out of town for lewd conduct, and expelled from the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 411
Conference. It is to be hoped that in after years, he brought forth fruits
meet for repentance. But after his inglorious expulsion from Grand Rapids
and the Conference, he disappears from the Methodist horizon.
In 1837, one Mitchell, was appointed to the Grand River Mission. The
district was called " Flint River." Samuel P. Shaw presiding.
The original class was started in 1835, consisting (as the record is lost, in
dividual memory is relied upon) of Knowlton P. Pettibone and wife, Mehit-
abel Stone, Mrs. Chilson, Mrs. Van Amburg, Mrs. Sliter, Cornelia Hopkins
and Mary E. Norton. There soon joined it: Mrs. J. Turner, Mrs. E.Turner,
Wm. Anderson and wife, and James Ewing and wife.
From this small beginning its growth has been steady, not paroxysmal.
It has always been a live body.
From the earliest times it had to compete with Catholic, Reformed, Con
gregational, Baptist and Episcopal churches, all organized at about the same
time, and in a sparse population. Of course, all must be feeble, but none of
the feeble ones died. With its intense inherent vitality, a Methodist society
never dies.
Until 1842, its preaching was by those who rode (or walked) the circuit.
The first church (now used as part of a livery stable) was erected in 1843;
was enlarged in 1851. It was originally about 30 by 40 feet; a very simple
concern, built not for display, but for purposes of worship. The present edi
fice was dedicated in 1870; was erected at an expense of $50,000.
The church has twice swarmed; giving rise to the West Side and East
Street churches.
The circuit or stationed preachers have been:
Circuit— Monette, Seaburn, Mitchell and Frieze, aforementioned; 1837, R.
R. Richards and A. Staples; 1849, E. Crippin and Daniel Bush; 1841, Cook
and Stanley.
Stationed— 1842, Franklin Gage; 1844, A. M. Fitch; 1846, J. E. Parker;
1847. M. B. Camburn; 1848, R. Reynolds; 1849, J. Summerville; 1850, F.
A. Blades; 1852, A. J. Eldred; 1854, R. Sapp; 1856, J. Boynton; 1857, H.
Morgan; 1859, M. A. Daugherty; 1861, D. R. Latham; 1862, Wm. Rork;
1863, J. W. Robinson; 1865, J. Jennings; 1866, A. J. Eldred; 1869, Geo.
W. Joslyn; 1871, Henry Spencer; 1874, T. F. Hildreth.
The present membership is about 450. The location of the church has
been unchanged— the old edifice giving place to the new.
SOCIETIES IN GRAND RAPIDS.
Hebrew Benevolent Society, 1869.
Kent Scientific Institute, 1865.
Public Library, 1872.
St. Mark's Home, 1872.
Old Residents' Association, 1858.
Medical and Surgical Society, 1864.
Kent Sportsman's Club, 1875.
Ladies' Literary Society, 1873.
West Side Ladies' Literary Society, 1875.

412 MEMORIALS OF THE
MASONIC.
Gran:. Rapids Lodge, No. 34; instituted March 19th, 1849.
Valley City Lodge, No. 86, 1856.
Humboldt Lodge, No. 276, 1869.
Grand Rapids Chapter, No. 7; chartered 1851.
Tyre Council, R. & S. Masters, No. 10, 1876.
Masonic Mutual Benefit Association, 1875.
Knights Templar, De Moiai Commandery, 1856.
A. A. Scottish Rite, Moriah Lodge of Perfection, 1869"
Cyrus Council of Princes, 1869. ODD FELLOWS.
The Pioneer Lodge was Irving Lodge, No. 11, of Michigan, chartered
in 1846.. It had an active existence for a number of years, when, owing to
some unpleasant feeling, indifference to the lodge succeeded, and it ceased
to be an acting body. In 1858, it was, under fairer auspices, re-organized
as " Grand Rapids Lodge," and continues to be a hve institution. Its pres
ent membership is 102.
Enterprise Lodge, No. 212. Organized 1873. Membership, 70.
Walhalla Lodge (German), No. 249. Members, 40. Organized, 1875.
West side Lodge, No. 250. Organized, 1875. Members, 60.
Grand Rapids Encampment. BANKS IN GRAND RAPIDS.
First National Bank, 1865. Capital, $550,00.
City National Bank, 1865. Capital, $300,000.
Grand River Savings Bank, 1870. Capital, $100,000.
INCORPORATED COMPANIES.
Berkey & Gay, Furniture Company, 1873. Capital, $500,000.
Capon & Bertsch, Leather Company, 1875. Capital, $200,000.
Grand Rapids Boom Co., 1870. Capital, $50,000.
Grand Rapids Brush Co., 1873. Capital, $100,000.
Grand Rapids Gas Light Co., 1857.
Grand Rapids Chair Co., 1872. Capital, $300,000.
Grand Rapids Manufacturing Co. $84,000.
Grand Rapids Novelty Works, 1874. Capital, $100,000.
Grand Rapids Plaster Co., 1856. Capital, $500,000.
Michigan Barrel Co., 1875. Capital, $300,000.
Michigan and Ohio Plaster Co., 1875.. Capital, $100,000.
Phoenix Furniture Co., 1872. Capital, $300,000.
Street Railway (first) from the head of Monroe street to the D. & M.
Railroad, 1868.
Union Stave Co., 1874. Capital, $50,000.
Widicomb Furniture Co., 1865. Capital, $150,000.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 413

OTTAWA AND MUSKEGON COUNTIES.
GRAND HAVEN.
The first occupation of Grand Haven was by Eix Robinson,
who pre-empted a quarter section, where now is the water
front of the city. He there established a trading post.
In the spring of 1834, Zenas G. "Winsor, then a young man,
came to Grand Haven, as Robinson's agent. Winsor was the
first English speaking person, who stopped there. His place
of business was near the " Ferry" warehouse.
The Rev. William M. Ferry is to be considered the first
settler. He had been for some years a missionary teacher at
Mackinaw. Broken in health, he left Mackinaw, and went
East, where, in the summer of 1854, he encountered Robert
Stewart, who induced him to enter into an arrangement, which
caused him henceforth to become a man actively engaged in
business. Stewart had purchased of Robinson one-half of his interest
in the pre-emption. He placed certain funds in the hands of
Ferry, with which he was to operate, sharing the results,
making Grand Haven his center. Ferry associated with him
his brother-in-law, Nathan H. White, and came on from De
troit by land. They, Ferry and White, arrived September 15,
1834, in a canoe, with two Indians, furnished by Mr. Slater at
Grand Rapids. They found Eix Robinson and his family,
the only white persons. Louis Campau had an agent, a French
man, at the Lower Diggings, at the mouth, on the left bank of
the river. Robinson was busy getting ready for his fall cam
paign, yet he spent several days showing Ferry his pre-emp
tions. The one-half of these had been purchased by the
Grand Haven Company, consisting of Robinson, Ferry and
White, as equal partners. Of this company, Mr. Ferry was
constituted agent.

414 MEMORIALS OF THE
Business arrangements being concluded, Mr. Ferry started
for his family at Mackinaw in a birch canoe, with two Indians,
Returning, lie brought with him a number of persons, mostly
Indians and half-breeds. Robinson came back about the same
time, bringing with him Mr. Lasley.
The same season, the Grand Haven Co. laid out the village
of Grand Haven. The company built a mill, bought large
tracts of land, bought two mills at Grandville, employed Ne-
hemiah Hathaway and George and Dexter Ranney to get out
logs at the mouth of Crockery Creek, to supply the mills.
They engaged unbuilding river boats. In -1838, they built a
steamer called the Owashtenaw, a large stern-wheel boat, too
large for the business, as it was then. This was not the first
boat, the " Gov. Mason " having been built the year before.
She run one or two years, at a loss to the owners, and was
burned at the burning of the big mill.
The Grand Haven Company did business some five or six
years, operating in land and lumber; managing to use up in
stead of making money. At one time a raft of 200,000 feet
was lost in the lake; at another, 30,000 logs. On the whole,
after spending some $100,000, the business proving unprofita
ble, the company disbanded; dividing the property by friendly
arbitration, each pocketing heavy losses.
Having traced the Grand Haven Company to its final burial,
we may as well go back to the time when Ferry returned,
bringing with him his bosom friend, P. C. Duvernay, and fam
ily. They stopped with Rix Robinson during the winter.
The building, in which twenty-one persons were quartered, was
16 by 22. The accommodations were not such as would be
agreeable to those accustomed, as some of them were, to the
refinements of civilization. A part of the twenty-one slept in
the loft of the cabin, and a part in a vessel that wintered in
the harbor. Nevertheless, they were buoyed by hope, and the
voice of praise and thanksgiving went up among them. Fer
ry and his company arrived on Sunday morning, Nov. 22d.
They landed none of their stores, but in Mr, Robinson's shan
ty, like the Pilgrims at Plymouth 214 years before, united in
solemn worship, Mr. Ferry preaching from Zachariah, iv.,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 415
10: "Who hath despised the day of small things?" Thus, as
it were, the first act was an act of prayer and praise; and thus
they consecrated the future village and city to God.
At the time of Mr. Ferry's arrival, the nearest white neigh
bors were thirty miles distant. At the south, ten miles up the
Kalamazoo River, lived a family named Butler. At the east
there were a family or two, up Buck Creek, in Kent county.
On the river there were a very few at Grandville and Grand
Rapids; at the north, none nearer than Mackinaw.
In the spring of 1835, Nathan Troop and family arrived
from Canada, descending the river from Grand Rapids in a
canoe; Thomas W. White, Thomas D. Gilbert, Miss Mary A.
White; also, forty-two Robinsons, kindred of the pioneer, Rix
Robinson, who came in a schooner by way of Mackinaw. They
settled at different points up the river. Dr. Timothy East
man, from Maine, came during the summer. Wm. Hathaway
and William Butts came from Canada, and commenced build
ing a steam mill at Grand Haven. This mill was after
wards owned by Troop and Ferry. Mr. Troop built a
warehouse for Campau, at the " Lower Diggings," which, with
the land on which it stood, has disappeared, through the en
croachments of the river. Mr. Troop was a carpenter. Capt.
David Carver came to trade with Clark B. Albee, as his clerk.
Carver failed in 1837; went to California with Fremont, and
perished on that suffering expedition.
Robinson, White and Williams built a warehouse in 1835,
and D. Carver another in 1837. The warehouse, long occu
pied by Albee, was built by John F. Stearns, who afterwards
engaged in lumbering business on the Muskegon.
The " Lower Diggings " warehouses were first occupied by
Thomas Lewis, of Grand Isle (a genius and a colt), and by
Peter Andree, of Detroit.
In the fall of '35 came on Luke A. White, who stayed awhile;
went back, and returned with Dr. Stephen Williams. Robin
son, White and Williams formed a partnership for general
business— the first regular mercantile firm at Grand Haven.
Col. Hathaway came in the fall of '36, and acted as lumber
agent for the Grand Haven Company. He afterwards re-

416 MEMORIALS OF THE
moyed to Grandville. He was a man greatly esteemed, whole-
souled and manly. About this time arrived James Clydesdell,
with seven children, twelve shillings in money, and some
portable effects. He did not remain poor, for industry and
pluck are not permanent allies of poverty.
In the winter of- 1835-6, starvation threatened the infant
colony. All along the river the remembrance is of "short com
mons;" provisions, other than what was obtained by hunting,
almost unattainable. The Grand Haven Company had money ;
and made ample arrangements for food for those in their em
ploy. They had purchased a winter's supply in Detroit and
Ohio, and shipped around the lakes. The vessel had the stores
of merchandise and an abundant supply of pork, flour, &c,
and was expected to arrive before the close of navigation; bnt
was wrecked on one of the islands of Lake Michigan. Grand
Haven looked blue when the news of the logs was reported.
Supplies could not now be obtained by way of the lakes'. Up the
river they had none to spare, and not enough for themselves.
There were no roads to the southern settlements. There were
no bridges ; and it must be a desperate effort that secures them
from the horrors of famine. Ferry brooded over it for a few
hours ; then took White into his counsel ; and the result was
that AVhite, with the means in his pocket, was the next day
wending his way southward on the beach; feeling the impor
tance of his mission, and determined to " do or die."
If you fellows at your ease, treading on your first-class rag
carpets, and grumbling about your taxes, would know what it
is to live in a new place, just catch Nathan White when he is
at leisure, and get him to relate his adventures on that expe
dition. [Alas! White tells it no more.J
It was a cold stormy time, and the young man had a time
of it — came near losing his life in crossing the Kalamazoo
river; but, dripping and freezing, he got out and went to the
farming settlements near Battle Creek. There he purchased
200 bushels of wheat, about 100 -hogs, and a lot of corn for
the hogs, and hired men and teams to bring his purchases to
Grandville. And here it is well to record a rare act of
scoundrelism on the part of the man who sold the wheat.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 417
White bought and paid for 200 bushels, to be delivered at the
mill some miles distant. The man delivered 160, and refused
to furnish the rest or to refund the money, saying that it was
^ood enough for him for being such a fool as to pay for the
wheat before he got it. That man ought to have been talked
to! His cool cussedness was certainly sublime. White, with
his caravan of men, teams and hogs, wended his way through.
the snow to Grandville, where a part of the supplies were left
for those dependent on the company there, the rest were taken
on the ice to Grand Haven. The river had fallen, leaving the
ice on the banks sloping, so that the hogs, once on, could not
get off, and they had no discretion but to go to the knife at
Grand Haven.
Having seen teams and hogs safely on the ice, White ar
ranged for his own triumphant entry into Grand Haven. He
made a collar and tugs for his horse, of hay, lashed a cross-pole
to the bow of a canoe, placed his saddle in the stern; with a
bed-cord, kindly furnished by Mrs. Oakes, for lines, he har
nessed his horse with the hay-bands hitched to the cross-pole.
He mounted the saddle, kissed his hand to the fair Mrs. Oakes,
waved his hand to the by-standing crowd, and shouted " Git
up!" Like an Esquimaux, he shot over the ice, passed the
teams midway on the river, and was hailed at Grand Haven,
not with the booming of cannon, for they had none, but with
the hearty " God bless you " of the whole little community.
And here it may not be amiss to relate a little incident, to
show the effect of short commons on the most cool and philo
sophical. Bread, venison and pork had been the course all
winter, and the people, though blessing the Providence that
kindly supplied these, still felt a starving desire for something
vegetable to break the monotony. In the spring, Mr. Ferry
procured of the Indians about a half a bushel of cranberries.
Mrs. Ferry, with a light heart, picked them over, and on a
furnace out of doors, cooked them with Indian sugar; think
ing all the while of the treat she was preparing for the dear
ones at home, and for those in their employ. Just as they
were about done, an old grey-hound Michigan sow tipped
over, the furnace, spilling her lucious treat in the sand. That
27

418 MEMORIALS 0E TnE
calm, self-poised woman was unnerved; she sat down and
cried from sheer vexation. The nerves that nothing seem
ingly could shake, that had never failed when facing death or
dancer, failed her then. We will not blame the sainted woman.
You or / would have been mad, and sprained our ankles kick
ing the old brute. From this we may see that trifles may be
great things.
About this time, steamboats from Buffalo began to put in
for wood, furnished by T. D. Gilbert from the bayous around.
The first school-house was erected in 1836. It long was the
place for all public meetings, was chapel, court house and town
house as well.
In 1837, Col. Amos Norton arrived, and commenced putting
up a mill at Nortonville. In a few months came Jabez Barber
and Richard Mason, who helped him to complete it. These
three men left Canada during the disturbances in 1836-7.
Barber perished in the ill-fated " Pacific," when coming home
from England in 1854. Barber aud Mason, in 1844, built the
mill at Mill Point (Spring Lake).
Benjamin Hopkins, also from Canada, arrived in 1837, and
purchased lands at Eastmanville, where he lived and died.
A specimen of primitive justice as administered by the peo
ple, may serve as an episode. A male specimen of humanity
had stolen a pig. The proof was complete; but what to do
with the scamp, was the question. In full council of the self-
constituted regulators, he was solemnly sentenced to march
through the streets with the pig on his back; and thencefor
ward to preserve perpetual absence. The sentence was carried
out. The pig was strapped to the sinner's back, and all paraded
the streets. When satisfied with the exhibition, it was em
phatically hinted to him that he had better leave. Acting
upon the hint, he incontinently gave them a specimen of tall
walking. We will here introduce a lively sketch of pioneer life, by the
worthy ex-mayor Griffins:
" Instead of first-class railroads, as now, the mode of trav
eling along the Grand River was on snow-shoes, in Indian trails,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 410
or on skates on the ice, in the winter; or paddling an Indian
canoe, in summer. A good canoe, bought of an Indian, cost
$3. A pre-emption settler, in possession of one of these was
all right in those days. He could load it up with vegetables;
paddle down to Grand Haven ; sell out very soon to the Indians,
or the few white people there, get his tea, tobacco and whisky,
and go back home again.
" If the settler wanted something more costly, as flour or pork,
his only alternative was to get up a shingle shanty, and make
shingles. The banks of the river, from the Rapids to Grand-
Haven, were dotted with these. I have known some parties
take a load of shingles on a hand-sled, twenty miles on the
ice; sell the load for provisions (or whisky, if not temperate),
which would last them only one week; and then repeat the
same operation.
" A soon as the pole-boats started to take freight to Grand
Rapids, their condition was better to get to market; and when
the Gov. Mason and other steamers followed, as population
increased, our condition was vastly improved. One of these
steamers was commanded by Capt. Sibley, now deceased, but
well known to our earlier settlers. This Capt. Sibley was
promoted from captain of a pole-boat to the steamer, and he
deserved it, A more manly and accommodating captain
could not be found. I recollect an. incident, proving the truth
of this assertion, being myself on board the boat at the time.
A settler on the bank waved his hat violently for the boat to
stop. The captain said, ' I do not see any freight to put on
board, but I'll see what he wants.' He rang the bell, and the
boat stopped. ' I say, captain, I want you to bring me half
a pound of plug tobacco to-morrow, and a box of matches.'
' All right,' says the captain, rang the bell, and was off again."
We will also let our friend Griffin tell his story of going to
,mill in early times:
"Two families, first settlers at Eastmanville, were out of
breadstuff in the month of January, 1838. Your correspond
ent, .accompanied , by J. V., Hopkins (now deceased), started
on foot for Grandville, twenty miles up the river, to purchase
a little wheat and corn; arrived there, and were informed that

420 MEMORIALS OF THE '
the only place to get it was at Howlett's farm. We purchased
a load, got. it to Ketchum's mill, with the promise to have it
ready for us in one week. On our return home we were overtaken
by a tremendous storm. Crossing the river on the ice was very
difficult. It was accomplished by each of us providing two
broad boards; getting on one, and sliding the other in front —
creeping from board to board until the unsafe bridge of ice
Avas passed.
"The storm increased, and having no road or marked trees to
guide our course, we got lost in the wilderness of hills and
valleys on the north side of the river, between Grandville and
Sand Creek. After traveling all day, we fortunately found
Sand Creek; followed the stream down to Talmadge post-office,
kept by father Bethnel Church, whose hospitality was pro
verbial; his venerable old lady providing the best they had for
the comfort of tired and hungry men. This was ten miles,
and half way home, for that day's work. The third day we
reached home; and waiting three days more, prepared an ox
team, took our axes along to clear the way, and with a lunch
of good sandwiches, set out for Grandville to get our grist.
Two days more, and our team was at Grandville, but on the
wrong side of the river; no bridge, and the ice still precarious.
But in the emergency, with determination and pluck, we got
the grist over, loaded it up and started for home, on the tenth
day from the first movement to get these supplies — only twen
ty miles off."
For a long time Grand Haven was of slow growth, its busi
ness resting almost entirely on lumber and forwarding. In
1851, it had four merchants — Ferry, Albee, Gilbert and Griffin.
Then its exports of lumber were 36£ millions ; shingles, 3,200
M. In 1853, 41 millions of lumber; shingles, 13,000 M;
staves, 320 M. In 1855, lumber, 45 millions; shingles,
37,000 M.
In April, 1853, the steamer Detroit, as an experiment, com
menced making regular trips to Chicago. The same year, the
road across the marsh, known as the " sawdust " road, was
made to the ferry.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 421
The population, in 1854, was 671. Spring Lake was then
Mill Point, a mere lumber manufacturing place, with the usual
rustic surroundings of such places.
At this time the village was quite compact, and the style of
the place simple. The principal hotel was the Washington
(since burned). There was no church edifice, but public wor
ship was held in the old school-house. The second school-
house was built at about this time.
As a little community they were very fraternal; social in
tercourse was hearty, simple and free. The tone of society
was moral. Winter was a season of social enjoyment; sum
mer of active business. There were no manufactories other
than of lumber. At about this time Mr. Albee established a
tannery, which he run until it required 100 hands to operate
it. This to him eventually was no advantage, and it has
ceased to exist.
Railroad communication and the development of the sur
rounding country have enabled Grand Haven to extend its
business; and the census returns show a striking increase. To
properly appreciate that increase the three places, Grand Ha
ven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg must be considered as one.
To all intents and purposes they are one, and are so consid
ered in all that has been written, or in what follows.
The present state of development may be seen in its ex
tended limits, its magnificent hotels, its enlarged business, its
schools, churches, manufactories, fisheries and extended com
merce, and in the fact of its having become a place of popular
summer resort. All things seem auspicious of greater prom
inence in the future.
The business of Grand Haven in 1873, was: Lumber 125,-
000,000; clearances, other than of river boats and the Good
rich line of steamers, 1,166; 15,000 persons visited the place
on account of the springs; 120 men and 20 boats employed in
fishing; pay roll of the mills and factories, $1,000,000.
GRAND HAVEN CITY.
The first charter election was held April 1st, 1867. Elected
as City Council:
George Parks, Mayor; Charles J. Pagelson, Recorder;

422 MEMORIALS OF THE
Arend Vanderveer, James A. Rice, John W. Hopkins, Wil
liam Wallace, Isaac H. Sandford, Peter Van Weelden, Henry
S. Clubb, Harmon Bosch, Aldermen.
The first meeting of the Council was April 6th, when were
appointed Charles I. Pfaff, Marshal; Robert W. Duncan, At
torney; John Bolt, Street Commissioner.
1868— R.- W. Duncan, Mayor.
1869-70— Dwight C. Cutler, Mayor.
1871— Henry Griffin.
1872-3— Geo. E. Hubbard.
1874-5 — John A. Leggatt.
1876— Wm. M. Ferry.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT GRAND HAVEN.
Until 1852, the school, with the exception of a few months,
was under the care of Miss Mary A. White. It was begun
by her in the missionary spirit; kept up for years with little
remuneration, other than the satisfaction of doing good, and
the earnest love of all the young people, who recognized in her
their ideal of goodness, and who considered her infallible.
Miss White still survives, enshrined in the hearts of ah, who
remember her as their teacher. For nearly twenty years she
was the teacher at Grand Haven. Her impress is on the place.
In 1861, the school was opened in the second school house;
for a year under the charge of Miss White. The first man
employed to take charge of the school was Franklin Everett,
who conducted it six months, assisted by his wife. For sever
al years the school was in charge pf teachers engaged for short
terms. In 1860, Charles H. Cushman was employed as principal.
In 1863, he was succeeded by Charles Chandler, Jr.
In 1865-6, the school was under the charge of Prof. A. W.
Taylor. July, 1867, Prof. A. J. Itsell was placed in charge. He re
mained two years — succeeded by Prof. D. B. Safford. He had
ten assistants.
May 11th, 1870, the contract was let to build the new school
house. The school was for a time under the charge of Prof.
M. W. Darling.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

423

July 3d, 1871, Prof. A. Hardy was engaged, and the school
opened in the new building. He continued in charge until
1875, when superior inducements removed him to Milwaukee,
much to the regret of Grand Haven. During his time the
number of assistants was about sixteen.
Prof. Lindle}r Webb succeeded Hardy. He stayed one year,
and also went to Milwaukee.
The superintendence was given, July, 1876, to Miss E. M.
Beckwith, who had been long connected with the school.
Grand Haven has from the first been anxious to have a good
schpol; has endeavored to provide the best teachers, and the
best facilities. Her central school house is one of the best in
the State; and it is safe to say that no town is more generous
and earnest in the cause of education.

CUTLER HOUSE. This imposing struct
ure, which illustrates
the pubhc spirit, pride,
wealth, enterprise, and
daring of Dwight C.
Cutler, was formally
opened July 4th, 1872.
There is no need of
describing it, as it is
the one.object that chal
lenges the notice of ev
ery visitor to Grand Ha
ven. The mineral springs
had already attracted
attention; and the idea
of making Grand Haven
the " Saratoga of the
CvM.r Home. West," brought into
existence the Cutler House at Grand Haven, the "Pomonia" at Fruitport,
and the hotel at Spring Lake. The mineral springs at the several places,
are the basis on which they rest. Health and fashionable summer rustica
tions have made Grand Haven and vicinity, places of resort. Should fashion,
as is expected, and as past seasons indicate, give these places celebrity, these
houses, .the most pretentious of which is the Cutler House, will be mines of
wealth to their owners; and the precursors of others more magnificent, if
the springs lose their attractive power, the people will, with their thumbs on
their noses say, "I told you so!"

424

MEMORIALS OF THE

The Cutler is finished and furnished in palatial style, at an expense of
$200,000. Great credit is due to Mr. Cutler for his enterprise, and the determined
spirit which he showed in his attempt to develop what promises to be the
greatest interest of Grand Haven. It was a venture, and a daring one. Wheth
er he eventually realizes from it fortune or loss, he will have laid Grand Haven
under obligations. The springs cannot be made popular places of resort un
less near them are first-class hotels. The few years that have elapsed since
heavy capital was thrown upon the mineral water, have rendered the rich
return nearly a matter of certainty, and hope for the future is buoyant.
Spring Lake has also its mineral waters, and its great hotel, dividing the
interest with Grand Haven.

jfjll

Mineral Springs.
MANUFACTURES OF GRAND HAVEN AND VICINITY.
Exclusive of the general lumber manufacture, comparatively little is done
in the way of manufacture. Formerly, C. B. Albee had a large tannery. But
Albee and the tannery belong to the past. At present, foremost in the way
of manufacturing, is the foundry and machine shop of the Hon. Wm. M.
Ferry, at Ferrysburg, where a good business is done in mill work, steam en
gines, etc. This has been in successful operation for many years. A specialty
with this concern is mill machinery, many improvements in which have orig-
inated in the practical mind of the proprietor.
WAITE MANUFACTURING CO.
.T. B. Waitecameto Grand Haven in 1870, and bought out the planing mill
of C. D. Vleiger; and carried on the business of planing and jobbing, to
which he soon added the making of hand rakes.
Previous to that, Waite & Schofield had been experimenting on a corn-
planter.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 425
In 1872, a company, with a.paid in capital of $30,000, was formed of prom
inent business men of Grand Haven: Waite, President. They made ironing
tables, horse rakes, hand rakes and corn planters. In 1875, they dropped
ironing tables and added feed cutters.
Business of 1875, (the year ending in July): 250 corn planters; 50,000 hand
rakes; 500 horse rakes; 500 ironing tables. >
1876: 625 corn planters ; 40,000 hand rakes; 300 horse rakes.
Hands employed, 50.
The corn planters are meeting with great favor, and are becoming intro
duced into the great corn States. It is their intention to push this machine.
Stearns ' Planing Mill is engaged in fitting material to send off on contracts,
employing about fifteen hands. In connection with it is an establishment for
making staves and heading, making 30,000 sets per week.
Fletcher & Rose's establishment are engaged in making various small
articles in wood, especially curtain rolls, 30,000 of which they turn out in a
week. It is believed they intend to make anything wh ich they see money in.
A tub and pail factory is just being started'by W. Whitney, who is in
tending to do a large business.
Ship-building at Grand Haven is an important interest. Messrs. Squiers
& White have a large dry-dock and extensive ship-yard, with facilities for
building equal to any part of the lakes. Vessels, propellers and barges are
being constantly built and repaired. FISHERY.
On the right bank of the river, below Grand Haven, will be seen a shanty
vi lage on the sand-bank; but that represents no small interest; it is the
landing place for the fisheries, and where the fish from the lake are prepared
for the market.
The fish are caught by gill-nets, placed at various distances from the shore,
even in 300 feet of water, 25 miles from shore. They are gathered into httle
steamers, sail-boats, and smaller craft. Oiten forty barrels a day are secured.
The white fish are becoming scarce, and the fishermen are every year obliged
to go a greater distance to obtain them. It is a well known fact that in gener
al fish are a stay-at-home animal. In an inland lake of one-half a mile in
width, one side may be fished out and the other be well supplied. In the
winter of '75-6, a great number of young white fish were deposited at Grand
Haven, to re-stock the over- fished waters.
CHURCHES OF GRAND HAVEN.
PubHc worship was established at Grand Haven at the time of the arrival
of Mr. Ferry; he preaching in his own house until the erection ofthe school-
house, in the fall of 1836. At that time, a Presbyterian church was organized
with nine members— the first in the Grand River Valley.
The original members were:
Rev. Wm. M. Ferry, Mrs. Amanda W. Ferry, Mary A. White, Pierre C.
Duvernay, Mrs. Julia Duvernay, Caroline M. White, Nehemiah Hathaway,
Mrs. Lucretia Hathaway, Charles Duvernay.
Pierre C. Duvernay. was made Ruling Elder.

426 MEMORIALS OF THE
The school-house, served as a place of worship until the church was built.
The corner stone of that was laid September 19th, 1855. It was dedicated
May 31st, 1857.
With the exception of a few months, Mr. Ferry was the preacher until
April, 1857. Until October 18th, 1859, the church was served by temporary
pastors— Rev. Joseph Anderson, A. D. Eddy, D. D., and Rev. Louis Mills.
At this time, David M. Cooper was installed pastor. The pastoral office has
been held in the following order: Rey. W. M. Ferry, from the commence
ment until 1857; Rev. Joseph Anderson, 1857-8; Rev. A. D. Eddy, D.D.,
1858-9; Rev. D. M. Cooper, 1859 to 1864; Rev. J. N. Phelps, 1864 to 1866;
Rev. David H. Evans, 1866 to 1869; Rev. J. M. Cross, 1869 to 1871; Rev.
Henry S. Rose, 1871 to 1875; Rev. John B. Sutherland commenced November,
1875. The membership of the church has been;
Received in all,' 268; dismissed, 70; died, 22; removed without letters, 7;
present membership, 169.
The church has one of the best parsonages in the State, erected in 1873,
and costing $6,000.
The Congregational church is an offshoot from the Presbyterian, resulting
from a lack of harmony between the acting pastor — the Rev. J. Anderson —
and the Rev Mr. Ferry, the particulars of which are not essential to history.
CONGREGATIONAL CHUROH.
On April 29th, 1868, a Congregational church of 16 members, was organ
ized, and the Rev. Joseph Anderson, who had been supplying the Presby
terian church, was constituted pastor. As intimated above, this was a seces
sion from the original Presbyterian church.
In May, 1859, a neat and commodious church edifice was dedidated, free of
debt. This church was destroyed some years afterwards by fire, uninsured.
It had been under the pastoral care of Mr. Anderson until he left as chap
lain to go with one of the Michigan regiments. He was succeeded by the
Rev. J. B. Fiske, who spent three years or so with the church.
Discouraged by the burning of their church, the society languished. On
August 16th, 1871, the society re-organized. In 1872 they sold the old lot,
and purchased another, on which, at this writing (1876), they are erecting a
beautiful brick church edifice.
May 12th, 1874, church re-organized with 27 members.
March, 1875, the society extended a call to the Rev. J. V. Hickmot, who
has since held the pastoral relation.
Present status: Membership, 56.
The church and society are confident that a bright future is before them.
At present they labor in hope receiving aid from outside.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN — ST. JOHN'S CHURCH OF GRAND HAVEN.
The congregation is composed of German people, spread over a wide
extent of the region round about Grand Haven. Services in the German
language. The organization dates from 1866, the first minister, the Rev. J. L. Daib,
of Grand Rapids.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 427
Their church was consecrated in the spring of 1868. The lot was the gift
of Wm. M. Ferry, Sr.
It was a small organization at first — about a dozen. The names, as gath
ered from the memory of one of their number,, were : Charles F. Paggelson,
John Ziletlow, John Teitz, Henry Saul, Henry C. Bare, William Dehn,
Henry Wasch, Christian Meinck.
The society has expended $6,000 on the church and parsonage. The sec
ond pastor (1871) was the Rev. F. W. Spindler, a German, still holding that
relation. The church is without debt; numbers 200 communicants; has a congrega
tion of from 300 to 400; the audience room, 32x52, being generally crowded.
UNITARIAN CHURCH
This is a new society, and as they have no church edifice, or church
property, it maybe considered as- experimental. It was organized in April,
1875. For three years it had had a provisional existence, and several liberal
clergymenhad preached there. In April, '75, the. Rev. M. H. Houghton was
called to the pastorate. He left in about eight months, and was succeeded
by the Rev. Geo. W. Cook.
The meetings are held in the hall of the Cutler House, where assemble as
good a congregation as in the churches. The Society is zealous and ener
getic; determined to go ahead, and establish '"Liberal Christianity" in Grand
Haven .
The present officials are : Dr. Cummings, T. D. Stickney, D. Cutler, J. B.
Waite, W. G. Smith, D. Gale, W. C. Sheldon.
CATHOLIC.
This may be considered a Mission, with its center at Grand Haven, having
in charge several minor churches.
St. Mary's Church, at Berlin, was organized about twenty years ago. Up
to that time, the few Catholics who undertook the erection of the church, were
poor, and scattered through a country which was nearly a wilderness. The
present house is too small, and will, before another year, be replaced by a
more commodious one; funds for which are already collected.
A large Catholic settlement at Dennison, Ottawa county, has a fair pros
pect of having a church edifice at no distant day.
St. Mary's at Spring Lake, was built in 1869;- is a neat and comfortable
building, having a member-ship of 300 souls.
St. Patrick's, at Grand Haven, was built in 1872-3; is a large and expens
ive building, and when completed according to the plans, will be one of the
finest churches in the city, capableof accommodating about 1,000; cost about
$12,000. All these, and some minor outlying stations, have been for some time un
der the pastoral care of Father T. J. Murphy. ,
Catholic population of Grand Haven about 250.
Services are held at Grand Haven three Sundays in a month; the same at
Spring Lake; at Berlin once a month; at Dennison six times a year; at Hol
land six times a year; at Saugatuck, in Allegan county, four times a year.
At Holland aire about twenty families.

428 MEMORIALS OF THE
Nationalities: Berlin — 400 people; all Irish. Dennison — Irish. Spring
Lake — German, Irish and French. Grand Haven — Irish, French, German,
Hollander, Indian and African. Holland — Irish, Freneh, German and Hol
lander. Saugatuck — Irish, French, German and Indian.
From the above facts, kindly communicated by Father Murphy, it wi'l be
seen that the Catholics have little but missionary operations in the lake re
gion of Ottawa county. But the sincerity of Catholics, and the devoted zeal
of their clerg-y. always render them a power wherever they have a foothold.
Believing in their church, they are ready arid willing to make all other inter
ests secondary to it. Hence that church has an intense vitahty, and is a
power wherever it is.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL, AT SPRING LAKE.
Before the organization of any class, there had beeh occasional preaching.
In 1862, a small class of twelve or fifteen was gathered by Elder Wm. M.
Colby; some of the members of which were Daniel B. Thorpe, Mrs. H. A.
Hopkins, Mrs. T. D. Dennison, Mrs. Wm. Flanders, Mrs. Wm. Britton,
Loren 0. Perham.
Services were held for two years in the school-house, with a slow increase
of numbers.
The Presbyterian and Methodist societies bought a partly built churoh of
the Hollanders; finished, and jointly occupied it. That house was so used
five years, when it was burned down. During this time there was some in
crease. The Methodists bought the ground of the Union Church, and di
rectly commenced to rebuild; were three or four years in completing it. It
was dedicated in 1872. At this time the membership was about 60. The
size of the church is 38x60, with basement. Cost, $7,500. The parsonage,
built during the same time, cost $1,200. Present membership about 120.
Pastors — W. M. Colby, David Engle, James Roberts, James Cowan, J. R.
A. Wrightman, James W. Reid, Levi Master.
The church has been harmonious and generally prospered.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbytherian Church, at Spring Lake, was organized by Rev. H.
Lucas, a missionary of the American Home Missionary Society, and the Rev
Wm. M. Ferry, of Grand Haven, on Feb. 12th, 1853. There were five mem
bers when it was organized: George G. Lovell, L. M. S. Smith, Anna H.
Smith, Miss Lydia Norton, and Harriet J. Franklin. G.-G. Lovell, and L.
M. S. Smith were elected ruling elders.
The Rev. H. Lucas supplied the church for a year after its organization;
followed by Rev. Henry Redfield, one year.
The Rev. Joseph Anderson was afterwards minister, he at the same time,
serving the church at Grand Haven. He was succeeded by Dr. A. P.
Eddy, who commenced his labors in May, 1858; he also laboring at Grand
Haven. He continued until some time in 1866, and was succeeded, as stated
supply, by the Rev. Joseph Lud, who served the church for three years.
He was followed by the Rev. A. G. Bebie, who stayed something less than
two years.
The Rev. W. H. Blair, the present supply, commenced in July, 1872.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 429
Since the organization ofthe church, 77 have been added by letter or pro
fession. Preserit membership, 55; society membership, 154.
The first church edifice was destroyed by fire. The present building was
dedicated Jan. 26, 1874. The cost was about $10,000.
From a feeble beginning, it has gone on until it takes respectable rank
among tho churches in the Valley; and its fine edifice is an honor to its en
terprise. The missionary who first collected the little bands has just
(1876) gone to hia rest. Spring Lake is not the only place that cherishes
his memory. PRUSSIAN SETTLEMENT.
In the township of Grand Haven, five miles south of the city, on the Hol
land road is a German population of some 45 families. They have a Lu
theran church, organized in 1870, of which John Bean, Henry Saul and Henry
Boardman were the original elders, and Frederick Bean, William Bean, and
Charles Ladewig were the deacons. The chuich was organized with 23
members. They have a small church edifice, and a congregation of from
100 to 200. Preaching in German. The name of the church, around which
they cluster ia the "German Lutheran Emanuel." The people are mostly
Prussians. MUSKEGON.
For the following valuable article the author and the public
are indebted to the Hon. Henry H. Holt, Lieut. Governor, of
the State of Michigan. As an old resident, and one whom the
people there have delighted to honor, Mr. Holt familiarized him
self with the history of the city, that he had chosen as his resi
dence; and as a labor of love, prepared the following article,
which he gave to the public, July 4, 1876. The author
gladly avails himself of the consent kindly given to place it
in this work, not doubting that an appreciating public will
thank the honorable gentleman for his carefully prepared
work. MUSKEGON.
BY HENRY H. HOLT.
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 Kuddiman Flour
ing Mill, at the mouth of Bear Lake. This was the first trad
ing post on Muskegon Lake, and was occupied for a number
of years, the remains of the chimney still being visible as late

430 MEMORIALS OF THE
as 1836. In the spring of 1812, it became necessary for Re-
collet to go to the military station at the mouth of 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, near the A. M. Allen & Co. Mill, at the
mouth, left side, which he occupied in the winter for about thirty
years. The next was built in 1830 by Joseph Daily, near the
Rogers Foundry, between Market street and the lake, and was
occupied by him until 1834, when he sold it to Louis B. Bad;
deau. George Campau also built a trading post in 1833, near the
present site of the White, Swan & Smith Mill (lower part of
the city), and occupied it until 1835.
The territory embraced within the limits of the present
townships of Norton, Frnitport, Ravenna, Chester, Moorland,
Casinovia, Egleston, Muskegon, Laketon, Lakeside, and the
city of Muskegon, was organized by a provision of section 11
of au 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 township of Muskegon for judicial purposes; and
in 1845 certain territory was detached from township of Mus
kego and organized into the township of Norton. This con
fusion 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 Penoyer, super
visor. But little was done in the way of township business
for several years, often no taxes being assessed. Township

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 431
meetings were often omitted entirely, the old officers holding
over. George Ruddi man held the office of supervisor several years
during this time. In 1847, Geo. W. Walton was elected
supervisor, and the township having increased somewhat in
population, taxes were assessed and business regularly trans
acted after that time. The old township records were de
stroyed in the great fire of August 1st,. 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, who afterwards entered the land.
Theodore Newell soon became the owner, who platted a por
tion of it in 1849, which was the first plat of- Muskegon. This
plat embraces that part of the city lying east and north of a
line running from the Chapin & Foss mill to the old ceme
tery, 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 Joseph P. Dana. This land
is that part of the city lying south of a line running from
the old cemetery to the Bigelow Bros.' mill (from the S. E.
corner of lot two, section thirteen, township ten, north sixteen,
west to Muskegon Lake), and between Mills & Furlong's ad-
tion and Muskegon Lake. On this property at the present
time are several 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,
(east of Rierson Creek, near bank of the lake), which stood
near the C. Davis & Co.'s boarding house. Horace Wilcox
put up a small dwelling the same year near where the Hofstra
House now stands (near corner of Western avenue and Pine
avenue). The first village plat was made in 1849, but nothing
of any account was done for several years towards opening the

432 MEMORIALS OF THE
streets, and the hill was so steep where Western avenue and
Pine street now. are that a man could not ride up on horse
back. 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 $45. Nothing was done towards opening
the roads leading into the surrounding country, until 1846.
At this time, Mr. Ryerson cut out the road to Ravenna, to con
nect 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 organ
ized in '49. SAW MILLS.
The building of the first saw mill on Muskegon lake was
commenced in January 1837, by Benj. H. Wheelock, the agent
of the Muskegon Steam Mill Company, most of the stock
holders of which resided at Detroit and Ann Arbor. The
mill was built on the site now occupied by the White, Swan
& Smith mill, upon which land Mr. Wheelock about that time
had made a pre-emption claim. It was a steam mill, and was
a large one for that time, having two upright saws. Before it
was completed, the panic of 1837 occurred and money becom
ing scarce, it was not ready for operation until 1838, when the
first lumber was sawed; that being also the first sawed on Mus
kegon lake. The adventure proved to be an unprofitable one
for the company, and the next year after the mill was started
the property went into the hands of John Lloyd, of Grand
Rapids, and John P. Place, of Ionia, who owned and run the
mill until 1841, when it burned and the machinery was taken
to Grand Rapids.
In August 1837, Jonathan H. Ford, the agent of the Buf
falo and Black Rock Company began building a water mill at
the mouth of Bear Lake, on the site now occupied by the Rud-
diman flouring mill. It was completed the next year, aud the
first cargo of lumber made at this mill was hauled to the
mouth of Muskegon lake in February, 1839, and put on board
of the Victor, Captain Jackson, a vessel that would carry about
40,000 feet. The vessel started for Chicago, but soon after got
into a drift of ice, and it was ten days before she reached her

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 433
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 improve
ments upon it, among which was the putting in of a new
water wheel, which was done by George Ruddiman. The mill
was valued at $20,000, dollars, and was the best one on the
lake for several years; it was burned in 1853 and was never
rebuilt. Theodore Newell began to build a mill in the spring of 1838
and finished it in 1839 (on Western Avenue, West of Rierson
Creek), on the site now occupied by the Ryerson, Hills & Co.,
mill; this was a small mill, with one upright saw, costing alto
gether about $4,000, and would saw about 6,000 feet of lum
ber in twenty-four hours. The engine was eight- inch bore and
twenty-six 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 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, Mar
tin 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 in the mill to Robt.
W. Morris, who continued a partner of Mr. Ryerson until the
time of the sale of his interest in 1865 to the present firm of
Ryerson, Hills & Co. The latter firm has made very extensive
repairs and improvements until but little of the old mill
remains, excepting the foundations.
Joseph Stromach built a small water mill in 1842, near the
site ofthe McGraft & Montgomery mill, and run 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
power at the same time. This double power not proving suf
ficient for hauling up logs at the same the saw was in opera
tion, animal power was also produced 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.
28

434 MEMORIALS OF THE
One evening in the autumn of 1848, after a heavy raiii,
George Ruddiman heard the water escaping through the dam,
and on returning to the house after examining it, told the
men that in the morning they must cut some brush and stop
the leak. About two hours afterwards, he visited the dam
again, finding that the break had increased, and then said that
it would be necessary to haul some sand in order to repair the
break. On going out in the morning to begin work, there was
nothing to be seen ofthe mill, the log 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. This has since been considerably enlarged and im
proved. In 1847, S. J. Green built a water mill at the mouth of
Green Creek, on the north side of Muskegon Lake. It was run
for several years, but with rather indifferent success. At
length it got out of repair, and finally went into decay, and has
never been rebuilt.
The mill now known as the Chapin & Foss mill, was com
menced in 1848, by Wm. Lasley and G. T. Woodbury, the
latter having a quarter interest, and completed and started in
the spring of 1849, Marshall W. Lloyd sawing the first lumber
that was made in the mill, he being employed there at the
time. Mr. Lasley sold the mill in 1852 to Chapin, Marsh &
Foss; Mr. Marsh afterwards disposing of his interest to his
partners. In 1849, John Ruddiman built a steam saw-mill on the north
side of Muskegon lake, on the site now occupied by the Tor
rent & 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 regard to the title. The mill burned soon
after, and was replaced by a large mill built by James Farr,
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 this site seem
to have been rather unfortunate in regard to fires and lawsuits,
whose effects upon property are about equally destructive.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

43:

The foregoing includes all the saw-mills built on Muskegon
lake prior to 1850. There were three mills on the lake in
1840, whose aggregate sawing capacity per day of twelve hours
was about 13,000 feet.
In 1850, there were six mills now on the lake, having an ag
gregate -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  36,0U0
J. &H. Beidler  35,009

OLD MIILS STILL KTJNNING.
Ryerson & Morris (Upper mill) 24,000 | John Ruddiman  36,000
George Ruddiman. .  15,000 |
Not only has the sawing capacity of the mills been increased,
but the number of men required to perform the labor has been
proportionately lessened. In 1860 it required a man for each
1,000 feet sawed per day, while at the present time the daily-
product is, on an average, something more than 2,000 feet for
each man. This result is to a large extent due to the valuable
improvements made in the machinery used in the mills.
There are twenty-six mills on the lake at the present time,
with the capacity per day as follows:

Rutherford, Anderson & Co.. 70,000
Wilson & Boyce  75,000
.C.Davis &Co  80,000
Ryerson, Hills & Co  48,000
Chapin & Foss  40,000
Mason Lumber Co  130,000
Bigelow & Bros  70,000
G. R. Roberts & Hull  130,000
C. H. Hackley & Co  150,000
Beidler Manufacturing Co  130,000
White, Swan & Smith  80,000
Bushnell, Walworth & Reed . . 60,000
Montague, Hamilton & Co. . . .120,000

McGraft& Montgomery  40,000
E. Torrent  30,000
A. V. Mann & Co  75,000
Alex. Rodsrers  65.000
Kelley, Wood & Co  75,000
E. Eldred & Co  80,000
A. M. Allen & Co.'  30.000
C. D. Nelson & Co  120,000
Ryerson, Hills & Co  90,000
Torrent & Ducey  30,000
Baudry, VaUicott & Co  40,000
Farr, Dutcher & Co  40,000,
Torrent & Arms. :....:  150,000

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
niiles above Croton. The " drive" finally reached Muskegon,

436 MEMORIALS OF THE
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 gal-
lo... 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
bar-tender. 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 1S34, 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 them 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 be
came 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 pre-emption 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 ceme^
tery, 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 1S40, 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,

GRAND RIVER VAiLEY. 437
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 still re
sides. In 1836, Mr. Troutier went with the Indians to Wash
ington, and assisted in forming the treaty by which the Indian
title to the land iu the part of Michigan lying north of Grand
River was obtained. Mr. Troutier remembers many interest
ing incidents in the early history of Western Michigan, and
often remarks that " me and my wife the first white man in
Muskegon." Wm. Lasley was of French origin; was born in Pennsyl
vania, but spent his early life in Mackinac, and settled in Mus
kegon in the autumn of 1835, having built a trading post near
where is now the corner 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 the early
settles, sometimes keeping a stock valued at $20,000. In 1852,
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 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 El
dorado. 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, and reached Grahd Rapids in September of the same
year, and soon after went into the employ of Richard Godfroy,
at which place he remained until May, 1836, when he left and
came to Muskegon. On his arrival at this place, 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 busi
ness. In October. 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 Septem-

438 MEMORIALS OF THE
ber. 1845, Mr. Ryerson, in' company with J. H. Knickerbocker,
bouaht 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 twenty-four, filling any place where
a vacancy might chance to occur, or where his services were
the most needed. Mr. Ryerson's practical experience rendered
him a competent judge of the men in his employ, and he " ex
pected every man to do his duty." An incident that once oc
curred at his mill may not be uninteresting. One day a man
who was employed in moving a pile of cull lumber, was carry
ing a few pieces and going and returning at a very slow pace.
Mr. Ryerson observing this, called out to him to throw down
liis little load. The man stood a minutewith a surprised look,
without doing so. On Mr. Ryerson's repeating the order with
increased emphasis, he threw it down. He then told him to
go and sit in the shade and rest himself until he was able t»
take and carry a load as a man ought to carry it. It is useless
to say that the rest was not required.
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 the 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 tliere 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 from 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.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 439
The following incident was related to the writer by Mr. R.,
and shows the manner of enforcing a rule of the early settlers
requiring 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, ex
amined, and bound over to 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. That
hat was never seen in Muskegon again.
Mr. Ryerson removed to Chicago in 1851, where he has
since resided, excepting about five years which he spent with
liis family in Europe.
Theodore Newell was a native of Connecticut, and settled
in Mukegon in 1836. He lived here a few years and then re
moved to Chicago, and afterwards to Kenosha, Wis., and thence
to Chicago again, where he died in 1869.
Henry Penoyer came from the East, and settled in 1836 at the
mouth of Muskegon Lake, his object in locating at that place
being to secure a claim to the 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, Augus
tus Penoyer, built a mill the same year at Penoyer Creek,
a few miles above Newaygo. Mr. P. left Muskegon soon after,
and removed to Grand Haven. He now lives at Nunica.
Samuel Rose was born in Granville, Mass., in 1817, and
came to Grand Rapids in 1836, where he met Augustus Pen
oyer, who was then getting ready to build a mill at Penoyer
Creek, a few miles above Newaygo. He made an agreement
to work for Mr. P., and started with some other men to go
through the woods to the place where they were to work.
There being no road, and not keeping the right direction, they

440 MEMORIALS OF THE
got lost and were out five days before they reached Muskegon
River. Then, thinking they were above Newaygo, they started-
down the stream, and after a time 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; sometime at Mus
kegon, or at others up the river — his present residence is near
Newaygo. George W.Walton was born January 3, 1812, in Essex county,
N. Y. In 1833, he removed to Chicago, and settled in Mus
kegon in May, 1837. During his early residence here, he was
very active in public matters; was supervisor ofthe township
for several years, having been first elected in 1847, and was
also the first postmaster of Muskegon. Mr. Walton removed
to 1855, 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 residence here he was elected one
ofthe associate judges of the Ottawa County Court. He left
Muskegon in 1845, and now resides in Wisconsin.
Thomas W. Dill and his wife — now Mrs. Susan Bohne —
came to Muskegon in 1837, stopping here a few days, and then
went to Penoyer's Mill, a few miles above the present village
of Newaygo, where they lived one year. They then came
down the Muskegon River to Mill Iron Point, where Mr. Dill
built a house and lived two years. Here Minerva Dill, now
Mrs. John Curry, was born, June 10th, 1838; the first white
child born in the present limits of Muskegon county. In the
spring of 1840, Mr. Dill and his family moved into the house
previously occupied by Mr. Baddeau, near where the Rodgers
Foundry now stands, and occupied it as a hotel and boarding-
house. This was known as the Muskegon House, and was the
first attempt at hotel keeping in Muskegon. After the deatli
of Mr. Dill, in 1854, Mrs. Dill married Mr. Bohne. who has
since died. Mrs. Bohne is still living in Muskegon, and is the
oldest, settler in Muskegon county.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 441
Isaac D. Merrill was born in 1809, and settled in Muskegon
in 1S39. He has continued to reside on Muskegon river since
that time, his present residence being at Bridgeton.
George Ruddiman was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Sept.
29, 1815, and came to America in 1833, stopping one year in
Pa.; 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,
aud 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 side-wheel steamer,
aud 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 yi Muskegon,
coining 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
ona blacksmith shop, where he employed his leisure time in
making traps for the Indians and in doing other blacksmith
work. This was the first shop of the kind in Muskegon, and
the only 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 re
membered as one of them: A man from Monroe, who was
rather inclined to put on airs, came to Muskegon with a quan
tity of wildcat money which at that time was not entirely
worthless, but was considerably depreciated in value; and think
ing he was off in the woods among ignorant men, lie endeavored
to buy lumber with it at its par value. Samuel Rose, who hap
pened 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.

442 MEMORIALS OF THE
Woodbury sold the raft 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 some
what wiser man, taking his wildcat with him.
Another joke was to the following effect played upon a loud
talking new-comer, who had failed to become popular with the
settlers. Mr. Woodbury one day said to Mr. Ryerson that it
was too bad that that stranger should be eaten up in that way ;
that Mr. Green ought to suffer for it. The loud talker, as was
intended, heard the remark, and immediately inquired in re
gard to the particulars. Mr. Woodbury, in reply, said " that
Mr. 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 once for Mr. Green's house, to
give him a terrible lecture. Mr. G. said it was one of Ryer
son and Woodbury'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 him believe that Mr.
Green was not to blame." The man was so much afraid of the
imaginary animals, that he soon after left the town. Hence
the origin of the term Hodags.
Samuel J. Green was born in Ohio, and settled in Muskegon
in 1840, He died in May, 1858.
John II. Knickerbocker was born in 1815, at Watertown,
N. Y. He settled in Muskegon in 1840, and died Aug. 26,
1856. Richard Ryerson was born in Paterson, N. J., Feb. 9th,
1812, where he 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 in Muskegon. He was en
gaged during the first years of his residence here at logging,
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 Muskegon. He still resides in this city.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 443
Alfred A. Maxim was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
Jan. 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 schooner, with two yoke
of oxen and some men that he had employed, to seek his for
tune at lumbering. The next day after reaching Grand Haven
he started along the beach of Lake Michigan for Muskegon,
tliere being at the 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 wagons — part of the load being barrels
of pork — take apart the wagons, and carry them and the con
tents over the hill. Thev then led the oxen around, and having
yoked them and put the wagon together, loaded up and started
again. Mr. Maxim was entirely unacquainted with quicksand, and
when driving along on the smooth sand at the mouth of Lit
tle 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 in
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 Mus
kegon Lake near where the A. V. Mann & Co. Mill is now
situated. From thence they followed along up the lake and
stopped at the Muskegon House, then kept by Mr. Dill. These
wagons were the first ever driven into Muskegon. Mr. Maxim?
has been engaged in lumbering most of the time since, and
has continued to reside on Muskegon River, his present home
being in this city.
John Ruddiman 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 a
year in Detroit. In 1839 he removed to Wisconsin, where he
remained until 1S43, 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 1S50, he put in the

444 MEMORIALS OF THE
first siding mill in use on the lake. He built a flouring mill
at the mouth of Bear Lake in 1862 — the first in operation on
Muskegon Lake.
Elias W. Merrill was born in Falmouth, Me., 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; was postmaster in 1861, State
Senator in 1865, and postmaster a second time in 1869, hold-
ding the office till 1875.
Robert W. Morris was born in 1813, in the State of New
York, and settled on the Muskegon River in 1842, and a few
years after came to Muskegon. 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 he died May 5, 1866.
Ashley B. Furman was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., in
Jan., 1819, and settled in Muskegon in 1845. Although he
saw very much of the early history and settlement of Muske
gon, it is doubtful whether a reply that he once made to the
question, " How long had he known Muskegon River?" was
strictly true. He said "he had known the river ever since it
was a small stream ; in fact since it was first laid out." Mr.
Furman died Oct. 4th, 1872.
The foregoing are sketches of all of those who settled in-
Muskegon 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 desirable, the
necessary information not being accessible.
SETTLERS PREVIOUS TO 1860.
The following is a list of the persons who settled in Muske
gon prior to the year 1860, so far as the writer has been able
to obtain their names:
1846 — James Graham, P. Blake.
• 1847 — Charles Morton, Frank Young.
1848 — Ezra Stevens, Nich. Petrie,' C. Davis, Chas. Carmi
chael, E. A. Partridge, Mrs. Julia Witherell, Mrs. Fanny
Shepherd, John Witherell, Mrs. Albert Hodge.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 445
1849— Mrs. W. Lloyd, Mrs. Ellen Boyd, John Cameron, C.
P. McSherry, E. H. Wylie, - Dennis Garvey, Theo. Wilson,
Nich. Kempff, P. J. Connell.
1850 — Julius Bosksch, A. Towbridge, F. John Hetz, Jona
than Boyce, Thomas Mills, Fred Drixelius, Kister Werner,
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, Raymond O'Harrow, M. S. Burge, Dennis Reardon. .
1853— J. H. Swan, Charles W. Root, Wm. Glue, Peter
Grossman. 1854 — Ira O. Smith, P. Dowd, Henry Van Bambus, Ole
Oleson, Win. Kotelman, Nich. Schuler, Henry Jacob, John
Bronson, Andrew Olson, Edward Ford.
1855 — Alex Cotie, John W. Kent, Martin Kochlin, Peter
Muhl, Capt. Henry Dobson, J. H. Hacley, 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. Hack-
ley, S. H. Stevens, Dr. A. Maurer.
1857 — A. A. Bullock, M. F. Rainer, 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 Sehwegler, A.
Rodgers. 1859— S. B. Peck, Geo. Armes, A. Mulder, J. Mulder, Geo.
F. Outhwaite. THE SCHOOLS.
The first school in Muskegon wa9 a private one, taught by
Miss Clark in the winter of 1848^9, in a room in the dwelling
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

446

MEMORIALS OF THE

the corner of Clay avenue and Terrace street, where the Smith,
Henderson & Co. wagon shop now stands. It was 20x30 feet,
one story, and cost about $300. It was afterwards consider
ably 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 was de
stroyed 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 re
placed by the present building in 1875, which cost $60,000.
Miss Margaret Mclntyre has been engaged in the public
'schools in this city, either as principal or first assistant, for
fifteen years prior to the close of the last term, having been
employed continuously excepting one year.
THE CHURCHES.
The first priest of the Roman Catholic Church who officiated
in Muskegon after the town was settled, was Father Vizoski,
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 towards building a church
until 1856, when Father Van Pamel, of Grand Rapids, com
menced the work. The original building was completed and
the first services 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 Rie vers
has occupied his present position eleven years.
In 1843 Rev. Mr. Warring, of the Presbyterian 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 minister 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."

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 447
No notice was taken of this intrusion, and he took his seat on
the stairs that led to the floor above. He soon, however, be
gan to respond very loudly, not with the word amen, but in
stead the Indian on-in-day. Mr. Woodbury, who w*as sitting
near, after making repeated attempts to keep him quiet, took him
by the collar and pulkd him up stairs, and the services pro
ceeded in an orderly m.wnner. At the close, a collection was
taken, amounting to $7.50. This was the first Protestant ser
vice held in Muskegon.
From this time until 1850, several ministers who were here
on a visit or otherwise, held services, several of whom came at
the request of Rev. Wm. M. Ferry, of Grand Haven. Among
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 Congre-
gationalist church, who lived at Lamont, to preach each alter
nate 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. Bennet, in 1854-5.
Rev. J. M. Pratt, of the M. E. church, settled in Muskegon
as a minister in 1856, and soon after began to make arrange
ments for building a church. The Methodist church was com
menced 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

448 MEMORIALS OF THE
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 Congregationalist society was or
ganized 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 1 863, the
Congregationalist 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. The 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 Swedish Lutheran church was built in 1875.
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 re-organized in 1854, by Fred. Bowles;
Mrs. Elizabeth Bowles and some others assisting, since which
date a Sunday school has been continually in existence in Mus-
kegpu. POST OFFICE AT MUSKEGON.
In 1837, a post-office was established at the mouth of Mus
kegon River, and Henry Penoyer was appointed postmaster.
who was to keep the post-office and bring the mail once a
week from Grand Haven, for the proceeds of the office. In
1839, Mr. Penoyer was elected sheriff of Ottawa county, and
was obliged to give up the post office, and Christopher Fry-
zine was appointed in his place — Penoyer doing the business
as deputy. 1841, the office was removed to the head of the
lake, and Geo. W. Waldron became postmaster. For the four
years that Penoyer run the concern, the postage amounted
to from $12 to $24 per quarter. The mail was carried as it
happened — sometimes by an Indian and sometimes in Pen-
oyer's pocket. All north received their mail from Muskegon.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 449
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 the Chapin and 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 $36.00. Previous to the or
ganization 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 occa
sionally an Indian or some other person was sent for the
mail. During the first few years after the post-office was es
tablished, the mail was received from Grand Rapids via Ra
venna once each week. After a time, the mail service was
increased to three times per week, which continued until 1860,
when, the Detroit & Milwaukee R. R. being completed, a daily
mail route was established to Perrysburg.
THE PRESS.
There was no newspaper published in Muskegon until the
spring of 1857, when Charles Cowen started the Muskegon
Journal. It was Republican in politics, was published weekly
in a room in the old Walton House. After a short time, Mr.
Cowen took in Thomas H. Hodder as a partner, and the firm
continued the publication ofthe paper until the autumn ofthe
same year, when it was discontinued.
The next newsp-" >er was the Muskegon Reporter, which was
started in April, 1859, by Fred B. 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 News, which he published a few months, and
then sold to Wm. 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 Reporter office, and revived that paper, publishing two
papers. After a time they were united, and known as the
29

450 MEMORIALS OF THE
News and Reporter, which was published by Mr. Weller until
December, 1869, when he sold the paper to Geo. C. Rice, who
continued its publication as the Muskegon Chronicle. In'
August, 1870, Mr. Weller resumed the publication of the News
and Reporter. The first Democratic paper started in Mus
kegon was the Muskegon Telegraph, which was succeeded by
the Muskegon Enterprise and Gazette and. Bulletin, the lat
ter being discontinued Sept. 9, 1873. Charles S. Hilbourn
established the Democratic Lakeside Register in the fall of
1873, aud still continues its publication.
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
attorney was Henry II . 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 count}' in
1858. R. O 'Harrow has been general manager in the mill of C.
Davis & Co. since January, 1854, a length of time in one po
sition 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, R. W. Morris were very active in securing the passage
of the act, there being a very decided opposition to the meas
ure. The first election of county officers was held on the
fourth 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,. register 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 fir.it of June following, when the new
county commenced its existence.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 451
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 the detaching of a part
of Muskegon township and organizing the same into the town
ship of Eggleston.
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 super
visor 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 that he
would when a decision was rendered — which sustained the
organization, the conrt being equally divided.
The first representative in the State Legislature in Muskegon
was Chauncey Davis, who was elected in 1860 and was re-elect^
edin 1862.-
The village of Muskegon was incorporated in 1861, and the
first election was held iu 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 Thos.
Mills, trustees; Robt. McQueen, recorder; Luman Hamblin,
marshal; C. D. Nelson, treasurer, and Henry II. 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
fourth day of April, 1870. The first officers of the city govern
ment were Chauncey Davis, mayor; C. C. Chamberlain, record
er; A. C. Truesdell, treasurer, and W. P. Odell and B. O'Har-
row, 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, re-

452 MEMORIALS OF THE
mained in its natural condition until the year 1863, when the
work of improving it was begun. Until this time, at the
best stage of the 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 Company, was organ
ized under the provisions of a law of this State, for the pur
pose of improving the channel. This company built a slab
pier on each side of the channel, the south pier being 1,500
feet long, and tho north pier about 500 feet. The first su
perintendent was J. H. Hackley. Afterwards, L. G. Mason
was the 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 channel, 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 back
wards 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 afterwards kept the straight channel to Lake
Michigan open.
* 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

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 453
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, ves
sels could have entered at any time and run up to Muskegon
Lake, a distance of nearly a mile.
CONCLUSION.
Among those who were born in Muskegon and are still resi
dents of Muskegon county, are Mrs. John Curry, Mrs. Hora
tio Hovey, James and George Graham of Muskegon; and
Mrs. A. G. Smith, of Lakeside; S. H. Lasley, of Montague;
and William, Augustus, Michael and Joseph Baddeau, of
Hoi ton.
In closing this imperfect sketch of the early history of Mus
kegon, the writer wishes to express his obligations to Messrs.
M. Ryerson, C. Davis. M. W. Lloyd, George B. Woodbury,
R. O'Harrow, Geo. Ruddiman, A. A. Maxim, R. Ryerson,
and Mrs. Susan Bohne, Mrs. Julia Witherell, Mrs. Fanny
Shepherd and many others, for valuable assistance rendered
in furnishing information. GLEANINGS.
Thus far Mr. Holt is the historian of Muskegon. That his
work has been well done the citizens of Muskegon attest. The
gleanings after him are comparatively meager.
HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS AND SHIPPING.
Before the United States took the matter in hand, individ
uals built about 1,000 feet of slab pier on the south pier, and
and about 500 feet on the north. The improvements made
by the United States at the harbor consist in building about
500 feet of stone cribs and 300 feet of piling on the south pier,
and about the same of each on the north.
The clearances from this port in 1875 were 2,577; aggre
gate tonnage, 526,194. Of these 250 were steamer, and 250
barges. The first railroad, in 1869.

454 MEMORIALS OF THE
¦ A lighthouse was built in 1855. That was torn down, and
the present one erected in 1871.
SOCIETIES.
The Muskegon Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M— Organized Jan. 8th, 1867, with
15 charter members.
Muskegon Commandery, No. 22— Instituted June 3d, 1868, with ^mem
bers. Muskegon Lodge, No. 92, of I. 0\ 0. F. — Date of organization, April 16th,
1863; 20 charter members; first lodge organized.
Germania Lodge, No. 179 — Organized Jan. 25th, 1872; 5 charter mem
bers. Lovell Moore Lodge — Organized Jan. 18th, 1866; 10 members. Named
in compliment to the Masonic Oracle, at Grand Rapids.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Organized Sunday evening, April 24th, 1870. Constituent members:
Samuel Ingham; Anson Clayton, Dudley D. Wheeler, Mrs. E. B. Wheeler,
Mrs. Eliza E. Barnes, Mrs. Hannah Martin, Mrs. Carrie Burgess, Mrs. Jane
Bartlett, Mrs. Mary Clayton, Mrs. Elvira Butterfield, Mrs. Carrie Nelson,
Mrs. Elvira Benton, Mrs. Sarah A. Merrill, Miss Jennie E. Mason, Miss El
la L. Mason, Edward H. Wilson, Mrs. Jennie A. Wilson, Annie Blackmer,
Hiram M. Beals, Augustus I. Loomis.
A. I. Loomis was chosen Clerk. Twenty members. ,
During the first year services were held in Holt's Hall and Leonard's Hall.
The present church edifice cost $2,000; was dedicated the 28th of May,
1871. Rev. J. P. Hill became pastor the 1st of September, 1870, and has ever
since held that relation.
Rev. J. R. Monroe, Rev. C. C. Miller and Rev. L. Parmelee had preached
occasionally before the settlement of Mr. Miller.
Present membership, 88 (1876).
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Organized 1855. First members: Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Ainsworth, Mr. and
Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Bowles, — 5.
Pastors, and dates: 1855, L. M. Bennett; 1856-7, Rev. Mr. Pratt; 1858,
part of year, Rev. Mr. Kent; 1858-9, D. D. Gillett; 1860, part of year, J. N.
Dayton; 1860-1, L. W. Earl; 1862, A. P.Moors; 1863, H. Caldwell; 1864-5,
H. A. Pattison; 1866, W. W. Rork; 1867-S, G. D. Lee; 1869, J. L. Child;
1870, G. S. Hickey; 1871, W.W.Baldwin; 1872-3-4, J. Graham; 1875-6, C.
L. Bumbart.
Building erected, 1857, at cost of about $12,000.
Present number of members, 123.
REFORMED CHURCH.
In 1856, five Dutch families began to meet on Sundays for worship. The
number increased, and a church building, 30x60, was erected, the material

GRAND RIVER V ALLEY. 455
of which was donated by Americans. In 1859, a church was organized. Rev.
A. Honbolt became pastor in 1864; succeeded in 1872 by Rev. Jacob Vander
Meuler,, who still ministers to the church.
In 1865, a new church was built, which was enlarged in 1873; Value of
church property, $12,000.
Numbers — 209 families; 218 communicants; 230 catechumen; 220 Sabbath
School children. TRUE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH.
Date of organization — October 26, 1867.
Original members — Jacob Temple, E. N. Van Baalen, J. Medema, John
Boersema, G. Heeres, Joe. Mulder, C. Knipers, D. Sherda, M. Alting, J.
Pothof, W. Schnitema, Jac. Boogema, John Waaltens, O. Timmer, P.
Kniper, W. Baker, S. Langeland, J. Pasma, E. Langeland.
Pastors— Rev. L. Rietdyk, arrived March 1, 1870, left February 29,, 1872.
Rev. D. J. Vander Werp, arrived Aug. 26, 1872, died April 1, 1876. No pas
tor at present.
The first year after their organization they built a little church on Apple
street, but had to move it the next year, because the railroad company laid
the track through the adjoining lot. It was moved to 263 and 265 Terrace
street; in 1872 there was an addition built to it, and also a new house for the
pastor. Value, about $3,500.
Four hundred, being in a fair condition, and constantly increasing.
By J. D. Vander Werp, Member.
Two documents are lying before the writer — the one, the
commission of Christopher Fryzine, as postmaster at Muske
gon, dated April 29th, 1839, with the signature of Amos Hen-
dall; the other, the first tax-roll of Muskegon,_ then a part of
Ottawa county. From it may be seen the taxable wealth of
the county at that date, and who were the solid men.
tax roll of 1839.
Names and property taxed : Joachim Lansdak, $185 ; John Nait (or Nail),
$60; James Banks, $105; John Jackson, $105; Henry Penoyer, $165; Wm.
Bailey, $75; Joseph Trottier, $260; B. H. Wheelock, $3,000; Wm. Lasley,
$1,910; Geo. Cown, $30; Joseph Stannock, $110; Louis B. Badeu, $1,850;
T. Newell & Co., $1,683. ¦ Total, $8,938. Signed, E. Wilcox, J. K. New
comb, C. Fryzine. Dated, May 20th, 1839.
THE BRANDED HAND.
There lives, six miles from Muskegon, an aged and respectable farmer, by
the name of Jonathan Walker, who'is known as the man with the branded
hand— as he bears, burnt into the palm of his hand, the letters "S. S.,"
(slave stealer.) In 1843, he was arrested on the coawt of Florida, while at
tempting to run off some slaves in a boat; was put in jail, tried, sentenced
to pay a fine, be branded in the hand, and stand one hour in the pillory,

456 MEMORIALS OF THE
where he was pelted with rotten eggs. His history was published by *he
Anti-Slavery Society, and was what gave the inspiration to Whittier's poem,
"The Branded Hand." " Welcome home again, brave seaman,
With thy thoughtful brow and gray."
Get the book and read it. It is too long to copy here. It may teach you
to appreciate poetry and Whittier. HOLLAND.
The colonization of the region around Black Lake by Hol
landers, is an important item in the history of Michigan. Be-"
gun in the spirit of the old Puritans, its results so far have
been felt in the Netherlands and in America.
Some account of the movement which resulted in the settle
ments in Michigan, is given, on the authority of the Rev. Van
der Meuler, in connection with the sketch of the history of
Zeeland. For the early history of Holland, we have availed
ourselves of the laboriously prepared paper of G. Yan Schel-
ven, Esq., read July 4th, 1876. Mr. Van Schelven has zeal
ously and carefully collected his information; it has stood tho
test of criticism, having been delivered to the public, and pub
lished in the papers. We are happy to state that he is prepar
ing to publish a more full and circumstantial history. By
what he has done, he has placed the colonists and history un
der obligations, and secured for himself perpetual remembrance
as the historian of the Holland settlement. It is unnecessary
to speak of the value of this paper — it speaks for itself, and
will in future be the authority.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF HOLLAND CITY AND COLON!'.
BY G. VAN SCHELVEN, ESQ.
In the winter of 1845-6 a meeting of the leading men, favor
ing emigration, was held in Amsterdam. The times were
exceedingly hard, and growing more and more oppressive for
the laboring classes, with little or no prospects of their im
provement, and it was felt that something should be done for
their relief. The meeting appointed a committee to wait upon
the Government with a proposition to colonize in the Dutch
East Indies, and locate upon the highlands of Java. The reply

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 457
was that the Government had no authority to sanction such
a movement upon the religious basis on which it was proposed.
The Cape of Good Hope was the next point which received
their attention, and lastly America was considered.
In the summer of 1846, the Rev. Thomas DeWitt, D. D.,
of New York, was sent by the General Synod of the Reformed
(Dutch) Church of America, on an official mission to Holland.
The extent to which this visit has been instrumental in turn
ing the projected emigration toward America, is difficult to
ascertain. Judging from subsequent events, however, it must
have had a marked effect upon the inquiring minds of the
leaders. In his report to the General Synod, in 1847, he says:
" When in Holland, I received information of a rising spirit
of emigration to America, and especially among the (afges-
cheidenen) seceders from the established church. *
Soon two important colonies from this class will be founded
in the West."
During the spring of 1846, and before any organization or
system of emigration had been perfected, two persons, Messrs.
A. Hartgerink and J. Arnold, started for this country. Their
friends fitted them out for the voyage, and the deacons of the
church collected money and clothing for them. They were
sent out to make a preliminary examination here and report
to the brethren in the old country. Ds. Van Raalte gave them
the necessary letters of introduction to Dr. De Witt and others.
After their arrival they forwarded an extended account of their
trip and observations here, which account was favorably re
ceived in Holland. It was a voluminous-document, the post
age on the "same amounting to eleven guilders.
Emigration to America now began to be generally discussed
and agitated, and the mind was permanently fixed upon " the
West." Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa were among
the favorite localities.
On the 14th day of September, 1846, an American vessel,
the "Southerner," of Boston, Capt. Crosby, weighed anchor
at Rotterdam, and carried across the Atlantic the first emi
grants destined for this settlement. As they constituted the
first Holland pioneers of this colony, we have secured the
names of nearly all of them:

458 MEMORIALS OF THE
Alberhus C. Van Raalte, Hendrick Oldemeyer, Frans Smit,
Jan. Laarman, Egbert Van Zee, Jan Karman, Jan Klaasen,
Hendrick De Kruif, Bernardus Grootenhuis, J. Dunnewind,
Willem Notting, — Van den Boogaart, Evert Zagers, Egbert
Freriks, Hendrick Kok, Herman Lankheet.
Most of them were heads of families. After a voyage of
forty-seven days they arrived at New York on the 4th day of
November, 1846, from where they left by steamer for Albany ;
thence via Buffalo and Cleveland to Detroit. Here the party
scattered for a time, in order to enable Ds. Van Raalte to de
cide upon his location.
In New York Ds. Van Raalte was welcomed by Rev. Dr.
De Witt, Mr. Forrester and others, friendly to the Hollanders
and their cause. The same can be said of many more in the
different cities along his travels ; Rev. Drs. Wyckoff and Beth-
une at Albany; Rev. Dr. Duffield, Hon. Theodore Romeyn,
Rev. Mr. West, Gen. Cass and Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, at De
troit ; Rev. Mr. Hoyt at Kalamazoo ; Judge Kellogg at Allegan,
and others.
Owing to the close of navigation, and satisfactory informa
tion obtained at Detroit, it was resolved to abandon the here
tofore quite prevailing preference for Wisconsin and proceed
to Western Michigan. The motives leading to this selection
on the part of Ds. Van Raalte are perhaps best described by
himself in a translated extract from his oration delivered in
1872, on the quarter-centennial celebration of the settlement
of the colony
"Although the Americans recommended the localities near
rivers, and in general deemed it too great a hazard to settle
here; although the Hollanders avoided the forests, occasioning
a great struggle to subject my family and myself to the incon-
viences of such pioneering; nevertheless, the combination of
so many advantages, although at first they could be but slowly
developed, left me no doubt as to what my duty was. I knew
that the rich forest soil is better fitted for the dairy, and for
winter wheat; that owing to the manufacturing interests and
navigation, by far higher market prices could be obtained here

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 453
than at any place in the West; and that the country near the
shore of Lake Michigan was protected by the water from severe
frosts, and pre-eminently a region adapted for fruit. I could
find no place where similar to those regions along the inhabi
ted rivers, lined with manufactories aud mills, where the tens
of thousands could find work without danger of being scat
tered, and where, at the same time, we were certain of an op
portunity to continually secure land, without any interference,
for a group of settlements. I chose this region, with much
decision, on account of its great variety, being assured that if
the Holland emigration should develop into a power, we ought
to remain together for mutual support, and ought to have this
variety for labor and capital, especially for future growth. *
"The object of my settling between the Kalamazoo and Grand
Rivers was to secure the advantages of both these rivers — for
we could not get along without the settled regions — and at the
same time to establish a center for a united and spiritual life
and labor for God's Kingdom."
In company with Judge Kellogg, of Allegan, and an Indian
guide, following an Indian trail, Ds. Van Raalte arrived here
for the first time in the latter part of December, 1846. They
landed at the house of Rev. G. N. Smith, a Presbyterian mis
sionary among the Indians^ located upon section 3, of the
township of Fillmore. At this time, the only white set
tlers- in this entire neighborhood, besides Ds. Smith, were I.
Fairbanks, Esq., and G. Cranmer. Their nearest neighbor
was Mr. A. Shorno, on section 26, township of Fillmore. Mr.
Fairbanks lived next to Ds. Smith, and Mr. Cranmer on the
farm now owned by Mr. Geerlings, northeast of the " Nykerk "
- Church. Having satisfied himself as to the exact location of lake, river
and harbor, and having determined upon the site for the village,
Ds. Van Raalte, in January, 1847, returned to Detroit, to collect
his little band. During his absence he had procured work for the
men at St. Clair, where a steamboat was being built. His own
family had remained at Detroit, that same month they packed
lip and proceeded via Kalamazoo to Allegan, where they met

460 MEMORIALS OF THE
with great hospitality, especially at the hands of Judge Kel
logg. After remaining here for a few days making the neces
sary preparations for their outfit, the party started for Black
Lake. The women and children remained at Allegan with the
exception of Mrs. Grootenhuis, who volunteered to be the cook
for the party. They were again accompanied by an Indian
guide and Judge Kellogg. Mr. Geo. S. Harrington, Sr., also
came down with them and drove the ox-team. The trip from
xVllegan to Rev. Smith's house was made in one day. Here
they arrived, as near as we can ascertain, on the 12th of
February, 1847. Rev. Smith received these men with the
greatest of hospitality, and, together with Mr. Fairbanks,
aided materially toward fitting these pioneers for the difficult
and unknown task before them.
Arrangements had been made at Allegan through Judge
Kellogg, whereby in a few days they were followed by a party
of Americans, who were to remain a while, and learn them
how to chop trees, build log houses, and make roads, many of
them not even knowing how to connect the ax with the helve.
The Indian church, located near Rev. Smith's house, served as
lodging place.
The first work was the opening of a road from Mr. Fairbanks'
place to the head of Black Lake. They followed a line running
between sections 33 and 34, and 28 and 27, T. 5, N. 15 W.
At the latter place they found that the cedar swamp was a
serious obstacle in their way, and they resolved before proceed
ing any further to put up their first quarters on the hill
near the house of Mrs. W. Van Der Haar, on section 28 of same
town. Two log sheds were built 16x30 feet, with brush roofs.
This hill is among the most interesting spots of our early his
tory. Here they lost the first member of their little band; here
the first child was born to the colonists, and for a long while
afterwards these sheds served as receiving barracks for the new
comers. The women and children who had been left at Allegan, were
now sent for, and they also took up their quarters in the log
shanties. It is but proper and just to mention the favors aud
kindness bestowed upon these families during their stay at

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 461
Allegan, and it is not without regret that we have failed to
ascertain their names.
During that same winter, another small party of immigrants
had reached Albany, N. Y. They were advised to come on
West, and reached here about the 10th of March, 1847. They
numbered some fifteen strong, and among them we find the
names of G. J. Hofman, W. Kremer, Plasman, Kolvoort and
Slaghuis. For weeks and months, now, the colonists applied themselves
to the making of roads. From the log sheds, the road was
continued along the farm of Ds. Van Raalte through the pres
ent city to the head of Black Lake and the " Indian Village,"
so-called. The next arrival was also in the month of March. A party
of immigrants, numbering. nearly one hundred, had arrived at
St. Louis, and were anxiously awaiting the development of the
colonization schemes then pending in Michigan and in Iowa,
and not only for their own guidance but also for the informa
tion of the hundreds who were to follow that year. This St.
Louis party appointed a committee of three to come out here
and prospect, and selected as such Messrs. T. Keppel, H. Van
der Haar and J. Binnekant. They arrived here March 17,
1847, making their way via Peoria, Chicago, Niles and Alle
gan. Having become satisfied with the prospects, Mr. Kep
pel returned to St. Louis with a favorable report, and the par
ty arrived here in the month of May, 1847. The season hav
ing far enough advanced, they made the trip via Chicago and
Grand Haven, stopping for a while at Port Sheldon, in the
old and deserted buildings of the Port Sheldon Company, un
til the men- had put up the necessary sheds for shelter at the
mouth and at the head of the lake.
In the spring of 1847, Ds. Van Raalte had his house built,
and brought his family from Allegan.
The winter they had just passed was a severe one; the snow
had averaged over two feet deep. The supplies during that
time were principally brought in from Allegan. Towards
spring, most of the colonists began to look up lands and locate
for themselves.

462. MEMORIALS OF TOE
Before we break off this part of our sketch, we will give the
following incidents connected with that memorable winter
which they passed in these log sheds: The first child was born
in the family of Mr. Laarman. The second was born in the.
family of Mr. Jan Schaap. Both were • baptized together, by
Ds. Van Raalte, in the open air in front of his house. The
first death was that of Mrs. Notting; seven others died that
winter at the log sheds. They lie buried, as near as can be
ascertained, near the barn on the farm of Mrs. W. Van den
Haar. The first marriage was that of Lambert Floris with
Jantjen Meyerink.
The spring and summer of 1847 brought hundreds of immi
grants from the old country, and it was extremely difficult to
keep supplied with necessaries of life. What few gold " Wil-
lems" were still scattered between them went but a short- way
to provide for the first wants. Lumber had to be rafted at Sau-
gatuck, and floated down all the way along lake Michigan and
Black Lake. Provisions were brought in and carried on the
back for a distance of ten and twenty miles.
As early as the summer of 1847, the colonists commenced
to build their log church and finished it in part, that same
fall. The building was located in the southwest corner of
the present cemetery. It was built of logs, with a shingled
roof, and was 35x60 feet. Its location there, was in order to
accommodate the people settling in the country and perhaps
also owing to the old countrv idea of havin<r the church in the
cemetery. When a few years afterwards the present First Re
form Church was built, it took considerable argument to
have it located in the village, where it now stands. The,
log church was also used for school and public meetings.
From the very beginning the settlers organized a system of
public meetings,' and the latter constitute a prominent part in
the history of the Holland Colony, partaking somewhat of
the character of the historical town-meeting in the early his
tory of New England. The proceedings of these meetings
during the winter of 1848, form a very interesting chapter in
this sketch. For, inasmuch as the first township organization
did not take place until 1849, and whereas for want of citizen-

GRAND RIVER VAtLEY. 463
ship and the right to vote, the Hollanders were excluded from
all active participation in public matters until the spring of
1851, they relied upon these meetings for an expression of
their views and a discussion of matters generally. They de
sired some kind of government in which the various interests
represented by them would receive due consideration in the
spirit of their immigration; hence, they resolved themselves,
as it were, into a small democracy, governing according to
what a majority of them deemed to be promotive of the
greatest good to the greatest number. These meetings, known
as " Volksvergadering," took cognizance of all the religious,
educational, social and public interests of the colony and the
people. Roads and bridges were built, church and school
organized and provided for, personal grievances settled, labor
and wages regulated, etc.
The proceedings of these meetings during the year, 1847
are supposed to be lost; at least they are not within my
reach. Many incidents of historical interest must have been
recorded in that year.
The majority of the colonists who arrived in 1847 and 1848
landed at the mouth of Black Lake. Many of them made the
entire trip from the Old Country here, by water, leaving New
York via the Hudson river and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and
thence around the lakes by steamers or vessels. Of the very
first lumber brought in, enough was appropiated at the harbor
to put up a large building ordered by the " Volksvergadering"
as a sort of receiving depot for the accommodation of the new
comers. This building was put up just south of the " old chan
nel," under the direction of Messrs. T. Keppel, Rensink and
H. J. Hesselink. Mr. C. Van der Veere was appointed agent
to receive them and forward them to town. Many of those
who arrived then did not remain, but went to Wisconsin and
other points.
It was soon evident to the colonists that what little ground
had been cleared up during the spring would not begin to raise
sufficient supplies for their support during the next winter.
Hence every cleared spot and old Indian clearing within a,
range of 10 or 15 miles was explored, and at the public meet-

464 MEMORIALS OF THE
ings details were organized, under some competent man to
cultivate them. The Port Sheldon clearings were assigned to
Mr. Geo. S. Harrington, and they were used in this way for
two seasons, to raise potatoes, corn and buckwheat, the bulk
of which was carried in on the back.
Dependent to a great extent upon outside assistance for al
most everything in the way of information and instruction,
the colonists availed themselves of every opportunity which
was offered. Thus it was ordered by the " Volksvergadering,"
that Mr. R. Schilleman should go to Saugatuck to inform
himself of the American way of fishing.
In June, 1847, word was sent from Albany that a large dele
gation from the province of Zeeland, under the leadership of
Rev. C. Vander Meulen and Mr. J. Van de Luyster, Sr., had
arrived, and that after long and serious meditation they had
decided to locate in Michigan. Several long sheds for their
reception were put up at the head of Black Lake. The num
bered about four hundred, and arrived here in the mouth of
July, coming all the way by water, and occupying the quarters
assigned to them, where they remained during the balance of
the season in tents and temporary sheds. After prospecting
and examining the territory east of us, they concluded to locate
in township 5, range 14. Thus were laid the foundations of
what is now the prosperous village and township of Zeeland.
The arrivals during the summer began to increase. A sharp
rivalry in recruiting had sprung up between this colony and
other localities in Wisconsin aud Iowa where the Hollanders
were settling. And right here allow me to state that it can
never be truthfully said that as far as the present development
of this colony and of the Hollanders is concerned, it is in no
wise to be accredited to either the wealth or the intellectual
attainment of the masses whose lots were cast here; but, to the
contrary, let it be recorded as history, that the material pros
perity, the intellectual development, and social elevation which
has transferred the immigrant of 1847 into the American citi
zen, of 1876, is due largely to the energy, forethought and gen
eral leadership of the founder of this colony.
By this time there was quite a population scattered along

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 465
the shores of Black Lake. The Indian village, near the
southeastern limits of the city, was also a prominent landing-
place. The log-houses, built by the Indians, were of great
service to the newly arrived immigrants; and, as it appears,
there never has been any trouble between the Red man and
the Dutchman.
As the number of c:>lon;sts increased, the demand for pro
visions and supplies became greater. In view of this fact and
the coming winter, a public meeting of all the settlers, includ
ing the Zeelanders, was held, to devise ways and means in that
direction. It was proposed to appoint a suitable committee to
go East and buy a large stock of provisions, dry goods, gro
ceries, hardware, stores, etc., etc. All the colonists were to
contribute, according to what each had left, and thus organize
a sort of apostolic stock company. The details how each was
to be represented in this company and be secured for his in
vestment, were all agreed upon, and quite a large sum of
money was collected — enough to pay about fifty per cent, down
on a stock of several thousand dollars, and have enough left
for another object which we will mention below. AU this was
resolved upon, ordered to be carried out, and begun. Messrs.
B. Grootenhuis, with Elder Young, of Grand Rapids, were
selected to go to Albany and New York and buy the goods.
A store was built near the Lake (south of Welton & Akeley's)
to sell and disburse these goods. This was called the " colony-
store." Mr. B. Grootenhuis was appointed general agent, and
served as such for about a year. With the money received
¦from sales, pork and flour was again bought at Allegan,
through the agency of Mr. H. D. Post, who was there at that
time also getting ready to locate here. Part of the goods
bought East, remained on the wav all winter, and did not
reach here until the next spring. However, this was only a
beginning of the disappointments.
In connection with this supply business and "colony-store,"
it was also resolved to buy a " colony-vessel." The object was
not only that this vessel should carry on the trade between the
new colony and other points, and bring in this stock of goods;
but it should also be known abroad, and especially in the Old
an

466 MEMORIALS OF THE
Country, that the colonists had a vessel of their own, to carry
immigrants from Buffalo, Chicago, Milwaukee and other points
along the lakes. As far as we can learn, the purchase was
made by J. Van De Luyster, Sr., Mr. Steginga and Capt.
Clausen. The vessel was of one hundred tons burthen, called
the A. E. Enickerbocker, and bought from Mr. Walton, of
Chicago. About the career of this vessel we have not been
able to ascertain much, only that it managed to bring over a
part of this stock of goods from Chicago; also that it carried
a few of the immigrants, who refused to pay for their passage
on the broad and general grounds of its being a "colony-
vessel." It failed to give satisfaction to those whose money
had been invested in the enterprise, and she was subsequently
sold to outside parties.
But to return to the store business, Mr. J. Van De Luyster,
Jr., succeeded Mr. B. Grootenhuis as agent or -manager ofthe
" colony-store," and in the course of the year following, amidst
all sorts of troubles, complaints, alleged irregularities of one
kind and another, the " colony-store " was wound up, leaving
the largest stockholders minus their investment.
The first year was in every respect a severe test of the cour
age and perseverance of the colonists. Sickness among them
was fearful, and the death-rate became alarming. In some
localities the small-pox had broken out, and for a while it oc
cupied about all the time and attention of the able-bodied to
attend to the wants of the sick and dying, and to the burial
of the dead. Among the colonists was only one doctor— J. S.
M. C. Van Nus. The services rendered by Ds. Van Raalte,
as physician, in those dark days, and for years thereafter (until
the arrival of the Doctors W. R. and C. P. Marsh in 1853),
are among the many noble deeds clustering around his career
as a leader.
And how could the condition of the people be otherwise?
Think of the causes that led to diseases, and contributed to
their misery. A strange climate, a malarious atmosphere,
undrained marshes, unwholsome food, and insufficient shelter;
want of experience in the nature of their diseases, as in every
thing else; no refreshments or delicacies for their sick; noth-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 467
ing but the coarsest of victuals, and that without the necessary
facilities for preparation or cooking; quacks coming in from
outside palming themselves off for doctors, throwing upon the
hands of the few able-bodied, an army of convalescents, with
poisoned systems, aching bones, and rattling teeth. We will
let Ds. Van Raalte describe these trying days in his own
words :
"The difficulties to contend with were many; still, the sing
ing of Psalms in the huts and under the bushes was something
inexplicable to the superficial beholder; with many there was
a faith in God, and a consciousness of a noble purpose. * *
"In the latter part of that first summer our trials reached their
climax, for the whole colony became one bed of sickness, and
many died through the want of comfortable dwellings and well
prepared and suitable food. Physicians were summoned from
abroad, and paid out of the colony funds. The condition was
heart-rending and discouraging, and required, in opposition to
man's sensitive nature, a painful sternness. Never was I
nearer to the point of despair than when I entered those
crowded huts and saw the constant mingling of household
duties amid sickness and death, and dressing of corpses in those
huts where each family was forced to accommodate itself to a
limited space of a few square feet. No wonder that we could
notice an increase of despairing indifference in that hour of
sore affliction. God granted a change! The sick were restored
to health.
"The fall was a most beautiful one, and the winter was so
extraordinarily mild, that everybody could build and perform
out-door labors and even partake of their meals in the open
air. The majority left for the country, and to a great extent
the weak and needy remained near the landing place." * *
The great mortality of that season among the colonists, had
left them with many orphans on their hands, who were
promptly takea in by other families and cared for. Their
constant increase, however, led to the building of the
orphan house, a project in perfect keeping with the spirit in
which they had started out. One Sunday morning, a fe,7

468 MEMORIALS OF THE
•months after the partial completion and occupation of : the log
church, Ds. Van Raalte suggested to his people the necessity
that something of this kind should be done, and that forth
with. He urged it with all the power.and force of language
at his command. The result was, not only the opening of a
subscription list, and the pledging of money, labor and ma
terial, but with a commendable devotion, the jewelry of the
wives of the colonists was freely contributed towards this
object. The building was begun in May, 1848. Mr. W. J. Mul
der was principally charged with superintending its construc
tion. It was not completed until the year following; owing
to various reasons, it has never been, occupied for the pur
pose for which it was built. It was afterwards used for a pa
rochial school, town-house, and Holland Academy, and at
present as De Hope printing ofiice.
During the fall of 1847, the village of Holland was platted.
The first surveys were made by E. B. Bassett, County Sur
veyor or Allegan county. The administration and sale of the
village lots was placed in charge of a board of trustees, elected
by the people of the Volksvergadering, of which Ds. Van
Raalte was the head. As members of said Board, we find the
names of J. Schrader, J. Verhorst, J. Van Der Veen, O. D.
Van Der Sluis and B. Grootenhuis. We cannot go into all
the minute details of those early real estate transactions. In
their character they partook of the mutual spirit in which all the
business of those days was transacted. The price of the village
lots was first fixed at $10 and $15, but was soon raised to $40
and $45. This was found necessary in order to obtain funds
for the building of church and school, the opening of roads,
payments on the lands, taxes, support of the poor, salaries of
the domine, doctor and teachers, and divers other purposes.
In 1849, matters pertaining to these village lands, became
quite complicated. There was a heavy indebtedness incurred,
which had to be met — payments on the lands were due, an unpaid
balance on that stock of goods of the " colony-store " was pre
sented, and many other causes of a financial character led the
people to resolve that the village lands should revert to Ds.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 469
Van Raalte, coupled with the condition that he was to assume.
all the indebtedness incurred to date.
The opening of roads and the building of bridges across
creeks and swamps, was a tremendous work in those early
days, and it occupied about one-half of the time and attention
ofthe settlers. Want of experience was a great draw-back.
In 1847, the State made an appropriation of four hundred
acres of land for the building of a bridge across Black River,
commonly termed the " Grand Haven Bridge." No contrac
tors could be found to take the job, and so the colonists, as a
body, concluded to take the job themselves. How this was
done, and in what manner the work was regulated, will be seen
from the proceedings ofthe Volksvergadering. The work was
begun in the winter of 1818; but towards the last the work
began to drag, when Ds.Van Raalte and J. Binnekant took the
job of finishing it. In the building of this bridge, Hon. F. J.
Littlejohn, of Allegan, represented the State.
The post-office was established in 1848, and named " Black
River." Mr. H. D. Post was appointed postmaster. The
first mail was a private route from Manlius, the nearest post-
office, and was brought in once a week. Mr. William Netting
was mail-carrier, and brought it on his back to his house, when
his wife would carry it to town. Very soon routes were estab
lished to Allegan, Grand Rapids and Grand Haven. The first
regular mail-carriers and stage-drivers were J. Trimpe, Jan
van Dijk, P. F. Pfanstiehl and G. J. Haverkate.
The present cemetery was laid out, or rather designated as
such, in 1848. Nevertheless, owing to the distances, and for
want of roads and suitable burial arrangements, during the
years 1847-1848 many were buried in other localities, as neces
sity dictated. Besides those buried on' Van der Haar's farm,
many were laid at the head of the lake between 3d and 4th
streets, where the old man De Witt lived, who was the first sex
ton. A few are buried at Point Superior. Several were buried
at the mouth of Black Lake, on the hills north of the present
harbor. The winds, however, so shifted those hills that years
ago these coffins became exposed, scattering the remains along
the beach.

470 MEMORIALS OF THE
Much that is interesting is centered around the first attempts
at manufacturing by the colonists; also in their harbor, the
improvement of which they considered as of primary interest.
The organization of the first churches and their formal joining
Avith the " Reformed " denomination, the opening of schools,
the Holland Academy and Hope College, the history of town
ship and city government, the proceedings of the Volksverga
dering, the settlement of Zeeland and surrounding townships,
the early history of Point Superior and of the Indian settle
ments, the development of our commerce and shipping inter
ests, and many other points of local interest, each constituting
its part of the history of this city and colony, will all be touched
in separate chapters.
What we wish to call the attention to now, as a sort of a key
to the past, is the great extent to which the colonists combined
all their interests — -religious, educational, political and social — ¦
into one, and placed them under one supervision; and how to
that same extent the church and its religious interests was
secondary to none, but, if anything, was made to underlie the
entire net-work of their existence.
Finally, as we dismiss from our minds the local events of
those memorable years 1847 and 1848, let it be in the words
of him to whom we have endeavored to do honor as the founder
of this Holland Colony:
"And the sweet fruition of independence and full liberty
which we so bountifully enjoyed, gave joy and strength to our
hearts. Especially was it the pleasure of the Sabbath, the in
vigorating power of God's truth, the united prayer and associ
ated labor of many neighboring settlements, which gave enjoy
ments, support and courage, and caused us to persevere in a
great and difficult undertaking. God's temporal deliverances
were many; each settlement and each family has a history of
its own." ADDITIONAL.
It is due to Mr. Van Scheiven to say that what is here pub
lished as his, is a selection from his manuscripts, necessarily
brought within certain bounds. From other sources, we gather
what follows:

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 471
During the first years of trial, the colonists were held together
by their strong religious sympathy. Van Raalte was their
leader, spiritual and temporal. His preaching nerved them
to do and endure. In 1848, they erected a church. The same
year, Oswald Vanderhuis, a Hollander with property, put up
a saw-mill at the head of the lake. About the same time,
Win. Flietstra erected the famous windmill to carry a gang of
saws. The fault with that was, it would not go; and it caused
the Hollanders to be very much laughed at. In Vanderhuis'
mill, stones were put for grinding. Also a grist-mill was built
between Holland and Zeeland.
During the first years, the troubles aud trials were those
depicted in speaking of the Zeeland colony. To particularize
would be only repetition. During this time the colonists were
under the highest obligations to Alfred Plugger, a noble-souled
Hollander, who, having money, resigned his all in helping
those in need; lending to the poor, to be repaid when they could ;
helping them to secure and improve their farms. He lived to
realize the truth of the promise implied in the Scripture, often
quoted by him, " Cast thy bread upon the waters," etc. He
lost nothing by it; but found his property all repaid to him;
aud he died Nov. 1st, 1864, with the love and benedictions of
all. In 1847, the settlement in North Holland was begun. Van
Raalte told William Tongerin he had learned from the Indians
that good land lay at the north, and that he had better go and
look. He, with Jan Van Dyke, followed an Indian trail about
five miles, found as represented, returned, and reported. In
the winter of 1849-50, Jan Vantongeren, Gerrett Van Dyke,
his sons — Jan, Jacob, Albert and Otto — and his two daughters
— all unmarried; Coenrad Smidt and family — Jan, Peter,
Coenrad, William and Arent; Jan Stag, Sr., and Cars Weener
came in, and put up log houses. They brought in one stove,
four men drawing it on a hand-sled. They took up govern
ment land. The next year, Jan Spykerman and Jan Veldheer
followed. . They cut a road to Holland the first winter.
Enough were together to form a little community by them
selves. They established public worship, held meetings in

472 MEMORIALS OF THE
private houses and barns — anywhere. They met for devotion,
not display. The first church building was a small frame
structure, now part of the parsonage. In the fall of 1856 they
had their first school, with Herman Grebel as the teacher.
He now lives in Grand Rapids.
Arent Smith says he first came through with a team from
Holland. It took two days. The first night he left the wagon
stuck in the mud, and returned.
In 1860, the first church was built. The church had been
organized in 1851. The first pastor was the Rev. E. C. Oggel,
who assumed charge in 1866. He left in 1869, and was suc
ceeded by the present pastor, Rev. B. Van Ness, March, 1870.
Then the number of families was 80. At present (1875) the
number is 120.
On the whole, the settlement was a success; the land was
good, and thrift has rewarded labor.
HOLLAND FIRE.
At the same time that Chicago was in flames, the little city
of Holland was made a desolation by the fire fiend. The night
of terror, October 8-9th, 1871, left three-fourths of the people
without houses — all went — swept by the besom of destruction.
The season had been remarkably without rain, everything
' was dry, the swamps without water, and fires were in the woods
in all parts of Michigan and Wisconsin. A territory in Mich
igan larger than the State of Massachusetts was burned over;
villages and houses were consumed. The gloom of night hung
over all. The smoke of burning Chicago, and the fires in the
villages and woods, filled the air with almost suffocating
smoke. For some days a fire had been in a swamp a few miles
from Holland. It was slowly approaching the city. Between
it and the city was a piece of woods where the stand must be
taken; for if it passed the woods, it came to a slashing, and
the doom of the city was inevitable, as the wind was towards
it. Sunday, the 8th, there was a rallying to meet the fire in
the woods, and everything promised success. But too few
realized the real danger. At the critical time some men deserted'
their post, and the fire got over — got into the slashings, and
from that in a few minutes into the city.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 473
The wind was high, and the fire leaped from one building
to another; the air was filled with the burning boards and
shingles, giving a perfect rain of fire. To escape with life
was all that could be hoped for. Few saved any of their goods
or animals, and many nothing but their night clothing. An
hour did the work, and what a desolation did the morning
exhibit! Houseless, homeless, half-naked, the people were
contemplating the scene, stupified by the appalling desolation.
Two persons lost their lives — one an old woman in the fire,
the other a young woman in consequence of it.
But did the Hollanders despair? The same spirit that built
it at the first, rebuilt it. A Hollander does not die until death
calls for him. The city is now regenerated — "improved,"
they say, by the fire. FAILURES.
Two cities were laid out on the north side of the lake — the
one in earnest, the other on paper.
A company of Eastern capitalists, called the Black River
Company, with Capt. Macy at the head, in 1835, commenced
in earnest to found a city on the north shore of Black Lake, at
the spot now known as the Hops College Lands. They laid
out a town and called it "Superior." They began work in
earnest; made a road to Grand Haven, and another to the
mouth of the Kalamazoo River; put up a steam mill; had a
ship-yard, and made other improvements. They built a schoon
er, and Henry Knox put up a tannery. There a son was bom
to James C. Hale — the first white birth in the region of Black
Lake. Capt. Macy was killed at Kalamazoo, and the soul of Supe
rior having departed, the town collapsed and died. The ma
chinery was taken out ofthe mill, the residents departed, and
Superior became a matter of recollection only.
This much may be said: the site was well chosen, and the
enterprise ought to have succeeded.
What Yankees with capital and brains failed to do, the
Dutchmen, without capital and without the credit of an over
plus of the other article, accomplished on the other side of the
lake a few years after. Religions unity and plodding perse
verance did what talent and capital failed to do.

474 MEMORIALS OF THE
The other "city" deserves but a passing mention. It was
laid out on the north side, at the mouth, and called Ports
mouth. Nothing was done to develop it.
THE CITY.
Holland was organized as a city in 1867, with Dr. Bernardus
Leedboer as Mayor, and H. D. Post, Recorder. Second Mayor,
Isaac Cappen; third, Edward I. Harrington; fourth, Isaac
Cappen; fifth, John Vanlandigham . The first Marshal was
Tennis Keppel. MANUFACTORIES.
Plow factory, agricultural implements, planing mill, sash and blind,
small carriage shops, stave factory and flour barrels — a large concern;
two large tanneries.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OE CAPON & BERTSCH's LEATHER COMPANY.
It commenced operation in 1857 on small scale. At the time of the fire
its capacity was 15,000 hides. It now employs fifty men; uses 33,000 hides,
and 3,000 cords of bark annually; and makes all kinds of leather.
Smith's Tannery, across the bay; employs twenty-five men; capacity, 20,-
000 hides. At this establishment finishing is not done.
NEWSPAPERS AT HOLLAND.
DE HOPE.
This is a religious paper, in the interest of the Reformed Church; piinted
in the Holland language; andis the organ of that church. Itwas established
in 1866 by the council of Hope College; at first edited by Prof. P. G. Oggell;
now by an editorial committee, with Prof. C. Doesburg as managing editor.
Its circulation is about 2,000. THE HOLLANDER.
The publication of this paper was begun in the fall of 1800. H. D. Post
was editor of the English part, and G. Vander Wall of the Dutch. It was
published by Hawkes and Bassett. In 1851, Hermanns Doesburg bought the
office and the paper was edited by Doesburg and Vander Wall. Two years
afterward Doesburg became sole editor; Vander Wall left, went to Kalama
zoo, and published the "TSfederlander"; afterwards finished his studies at
Brunswick College, became a preacher and Professor in Hope College. He
is now a preacher in South Africa. He is a man of talent.
Mr. Doesburg still continues proprietor of the paper. It is edited by
Wm. Benjaminse. HOLLAND CUT NEWS.
Started in the spring of 1872. by Dr. S. L. Morris, as editor and proprietor,
who run it for a year as a Republican paper. It then fell into the hands of
Van Schelven, who has kept it up as independent. Circulation, 600.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 475
DE GRONDWEET (DUTCH).
Established in 1859, by Roost & Hoogesteger. Republican in politics.
Circulation, 1,500. Now published by Hoogesteger & Mulder.
The Ottawa Register was published five years by H. D. Post. " De Wach-
ter" was begun at Holland, and removed to Grand Rapids. "De Paarl "
also had a transient existence at Holland.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first class was organized in 1866. The full list of the members cannot
be given, as the records were destroyed by the fire that burned up the city.
The names of some of them were:
Isaac Fail-banks. John Roost, John Bakker, Jacob Ftieman, Francis Hall,
Martin Clark, James L. Fairbanks, Robert Symonds, Andrew Anderson and
Richard K. Heald.
The persons most prominent in starting the church were Michael J. Clap-
pen, Isaac Fairbanks and Richard K. Heald.
Three churches have been built. First, about the year 1868; size 22 by 30;
cost about $700. Second, in 1871; size 33 by 60; cost $1,500; was not com
pleted when destroyed by the fire in 1871. Third, built in 1872; size 33 by
70, cost $2,200; now used.
The pastors have been: 1st, Rev. P. Gilbert; 2d, Daniel S. Bacon; 3d, G.
E. Hollister; 4th, J. R. Wilkinson, 5th, Wm. A. Bronson; 6tb,B. F. Dough
ty; 7th, Francis Glass; 8th, Wm. M. Coplin.
Present number about 60. Congregation from 50 to 100.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Organized in the fall of 1867, with very few communicants. Those who
originated it are M. D. Howard and Heber Walsh.
The first Episcopal services at Holland were by the Rev. Robert Wood,
who in 1866 officiated twice, and baptized eight or ten persons, part of them
adults. Occasional services were held until 1868 by J. R. Taylor, in the
school-house built by American residents. This building became the prop
erty of the church at the time of its organization. It- was destroyed in the
great five.
In 1868, Mr. Taylor was called from Grand Haven. He remained pastor
until 1874, when he resigned, and went to New York. After a year, Mr.
Taylor returned, and still remains.
New church built in 1872; cost $5,500. Communicants, 26; congrega
tion, 75. HOPE COLLEGE.
The incipient movement which has resulted in the establishment of this col
lege, was the starting of a Latin class in the public school at Holland, then
• under the charge of Walter T. Taylor. At the same time there was a man
ifest desire on the part of the Dutch Reformed church at the East to bring
about close relations with the Holland emigrants, and to found an academic
school at the West, which should be a feeder of Rutgers' College. Prof.
Taylor began the classical department of the public school. This school was
developed, in 1855, into what became known as the Holland Academy. In

476 MEMORIALS OF THE
1862. the first Freshman class of the new college was formed out of the
Academy. Previous to that the students had gone to Rutgers' College. The
General Synod, in 1863, approved the collegiate department and appointed
a board of superintendents. In 1865, the four classes were complete. The
college was incorporated May 14th, 1866; the first president inaugurated oh
the 14th of the following July. The first class graduated the 17th of the
same month.
Resuming — Professor Taylor resigned his position in the preliminary school
in 1854, and was temporarily followed by Rev. F. P. Bielder. The Academy
was, in 1855, placed under the charge of Rev. John Van Vleck, who, in 1859,
was succeeded by Rev. Philip Phelps, Jr. Assisting them were Abraham '
Thompson, A. B., and Giles Vander AVall, A. M. The catalogue of the
graduates from tie Academy, 1857-62, inclusive, shows that 25 became
clergymen, being a great majority of the whole.
In 1859, the principal building was erected; five acres were given byDs.
Van Raalte, and 11 more purchased. The premises are owned by the
General Synod.
Hope College, as now developed, consists of three schools — an academy
and general school, the college, and the theological school, each with its
particular head or president. Over the whole Philip Phelps, D.D. , is presi
dent. The classes in the college and theological departments are still small.
The patrons of the institution gave it the name of "Hope," realizing that
for a long time it must be a creature of hope, rather than a present reality.
It is their hope to develop it into " Hope Haven University. " This idea is
,dear to the church, under which it arose, and "Dutch perseverance" is
proverbial. The following is a list of teachers. The star denotes that they are' now
dead: PIONEER SCHOOL,
Walter T. Taylor,* 1851^L
Rev. F. P. Bielder, pro tem, 1854-5.
Assistants— Hugh W. Taylor, 1851-4; Miss Margaret W. Taylor,? 1851-2;
Miss Anna B. Taylor, 1851^. HOLLAND ACADEMY.
Rev. John Van Vleek, A. M.* 1855-9.
Rev. Philip Phelps, Jr. 1859-62.
Professors :
Abraham Thompson, A. B. 1857-8.
Rev. Giles Vander Wall, A. M., 1858-61.
HOPE COLLEGE.
Rev. Philip Phelps, Jr., D. D. Since 1862.
Rev. Peter Oggell, A. M.* 1865-9.
Rev. T. Romeyn Beck, A. M. Since 1863.
Rev. I. M. Ferris, D. D. 1864-5.
Rev. Charles Scott, D. D. Since 1866.
Rev. Cornelius Crispel, D. D. Since 1866.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 477
' Cornelius Doesburg, A. M. Since 1866.
William A. Shields, A. M. Since 1867.
Rev. Abel Stewart, D. D. 1870-3.
Rev. Peter Moerdyk, A. M. 1871-3.
Rev. Garritt 1. Kollen, A. M. Since 1871.
Rev. Henry Uiterwigh, A. M. 1874-5.
The college is the chief attraction in the scenery of Holland. Though an
infant institution, it is enshrined in the hearts of the people, for whom it was
intended; and we cannot but wish it God 3peed. What is here given is con
densed from the circular of Hope College, issued in 1876. In that is' a full
expose of its history; trials and present status. Tothat the particular friends
of the institution will look for more full information.
ODD FELLOWS.
UNITY LODGE, NO. 119, I. O. OF O. F.
Organized Feb. 14th, 1866. The constituent members were— Geo. Lander,
Geo. G. Stickatee, 0. Breyman, J. A. Grey, J. 0. Doesburg, G... Nilson
Smith,- G. Van Schelven, Wm. L. Hopkins, I. Myrick, Wm. K. Jocelyn
and B. R. Piatt.
Lander was Master. Present number, 67. Four deaths have occurred.
The lodge has prospered in the face of very strong opposition, the relig
ious prejudices, of the people, of Holland being strong against secret societies.
HOLLAND CITY LODGE, 192, I. O. OF 6. F.
In the summer of 1871, there were three brothers of the Scarlet Degree
residing in Holland, viz: A. J. Clark, S. F. Morris and M. Harrington.
They determined to have a Lodge. They called a meeting of all Odd Fel
lows, and found several more. However, the great fire rendered starting a
Lodge at that time impracticable.
Afterwards, in the winter of 1872, a charter was obtained, and the Lodge
instituted. First officers: S. T. Morris, N. G.; A. J. Clark, V. G.; M. Harrington, R.
S.; I. Bramer, K.; C. Vanlandegand, C.; R. K. Heald, W. Present num
ber, 33.
The Lodge has had to contend with much opposition.
ZEELAND.
The settlement of Zeeland was due to the dissatisfaction of
certain Hollanders with the laws of Holland concerning reli
gious worship. Although the heart of Holland, or its higher
intellect, is inclined to . rationalism, or unbelief, the common
people are most fully imbued with the religious idea; and
rank amongst the most truly religious. They are very scru
pulous in their religious observances, and tenacious of their
creed. With. them their, religion is the one great thing; and
,to interfere with the free exercise of their observances, is the

478 . MEMORIALS OF THE
greatest indignity— they cannot brook it. The people who
constituted the Holland and Zeeland settlements were of this
kind — people conscientiously religious, and willing, for reli
gion, to leave their country, and to endure the hardships inci
dent to a new settlement, to living among those speaking
another language, to subduing the land and forcing from it a
living. They were buoyed by the hope that, after a few years of
trial and labor, they might establish a colony — a fraternal, God
fearing communityj which should center itself around the
church. They contemplated a theocratic community, of which
God should be ruler supreme, and the church its visible center.
With these feelings they left Holland, and settled themselves
at Zeeland.
They were in a strange country. All was different from the
Sand they left. They had been accustomed to the open field;
here all was wood. To combat with that wood — to clear the
ground— was labor entirely new. No one of them knew how
to use that pioneer tool, the ax. It was sport to the Yankees
to see the Dutchmen cut down a tree. By hacking all around
they would finally get it down. Their cutting was more like
beavers' work than the work of woodmen.
But with all their lack of skill, they went to work to clear
the land, in winter; piling and burning brush on the snow.
The amount of labor they put forth to clear a small piece of
land almost exceeds belief. To learn to chop was the one great
thing. Van Raalte gave them the solemn warning — " You
must learn to chop, or die!"
In the general settlement, settlers come straggling in, and
each new comer is aided in the start by those who have got a
footing. Again, the woodland settler understands his ax, and
is prepared to dispute possession with the forest. Not so with
these Hollanders. A community of them sat down in the
Woods together. All had their shelter to secure; all were to
begin together, and all were unskilled in woodland labor. It
is no wonder they suffered; it is no wonder that many, dis
couraged, dispersed themselves among the other people, and
sought employment that was immediately remunerative. They

GRAND RtVER VALLEY. 479
went to Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, and all other places
where work could be found. The girls sought employment in
the houses, and soon were found to be the best and most trusty
servants. ,
The sawing of wood was soon monopolized by the men, as
also the loading and unloading of vessels at the wharves. The
Dutchman became a digger on the railroads. He worked, for
small wages for the farmer, for his lack of skill made him at
first bnt poor help. In all these ways they were living, and
learning to live, in America.
One thing was soon proverbial— if a Dutchman got hold of
a dollar, no one got the whole of it away from him; and that
with which he parted, was compelled to do full service. It
was a mystery how a Dutchman, earning seventy-five cents a
day, would contrive to support a family, and in two or three
years, have a house and lot of his own; yet it was notorious
they did. True, lots in Grand Haven and Grand Rapids then
were cheap — could be bought for from $25 to $50 ; but how from
their scanty earnings, before they had acquired the skill and
wages of American laborers, was a mystery. Nevertheless,
the number of Dutchmen were few who in four years did not
live in their own houses; aud houses, too, earned since they
came to America. It was no mystery to the Dutchman, but
the Yankee could not solve it.
But we have digressed from Zeeland, following those who
did not stay, as members of the sacred colony.
To be a little more particular, the persecution complained
of, was what naturally arises from' a State religion. Holland
has its State religion; its preachers are commissioned by the
State, and paid from the public revenues. Dissent is not a
crime; neither does it involve any political or civil disability.
No man was allowed to preach without State authority, under
penalty of one hundred guilders for every sermon so deliv
ered. A movement began in 1834, among those who were dissat
isfied with the dictations of the State in matters of religion.
Seven clergymen revolted; preached independent of State
dictation; were dropped by the State church, and started an

480 MEMORIALS OF THE
independent denomination or church. Their names were H.
Decode, H. P. Scholte, S. Van Velzen, H. Buddengk, E,
Brumelkemp, F. Meerburg and  Leedhoer. These were
cast out in 1835. They banded themselves, and held their
first Synod at Amsterdam, in March, 1836. By that Synod,
Van Raalte was ordained at that meeting. He, at the time
of the dropping of the aforementioned clergymen, was a can
didate awaiting orders. He was cast out for his well-known
sympathy with the seceders.
The seceders began in earnest to propagate their principles.
The result is, that at the present day they are a strong body in
Holland. But that is little to our purpose.
The seceders were almost at the first joined by Carnelius Van-
'der Meuler, not then a clergyman, but a man looking forward to
that office. Pie made himself active in establishing seceding
churches, and in 1839 was ordained; became pastor of a church
at Rotterdam, and afterwards at Zeeland.
These active propagandists were at first under severe penal
ties. A 100 guilders was exacted for every sermon preached.
These fines were paid by the people. But penalties only in
creased their zeal, and their success. After a time the State
relented somewhat. Upon petition, a special license was given
to each church, with the condition that it should support itself
and its own poor. They still had to do their share in sup
porting the State church, and the poor of the country. This
discrimination against them they thought oppressive. The
spirit of many became restless. Beyond the sea they knew
there was a land where religion was free. One and another,
partly from religious discontent and partly with the hope of
improved fortune, came to America.
In the minds of two of the leading spirits in the move
ment — Messrs. Schdlte and Van Raalte — there was conceived
the idea of gathering these expatriated people into colonies,
where, centered around the churches, should be communities
of Hollanders, where their cherished religion should be the
great bond of union. With them the basal idea was a theo
cratic community.
, With this idea, they came to America, to select locations

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 481
for the colonies which they wished to establish. Van Raalte
selected the location where now is the city of Hollan d, by Black
Lake. This was in the winter 1846-7. He then, by corres
pondence with people in Europe and America, rallied people
around him, who in the spring and summer of 1847 settled
there. An impulse was thus given. Much was said of the Holland
Colony, and it became a central idea. Hollanders flocked to
Michigan. Some banded themselves under leaders, and set
tled in the vicinity of Holland. Others came to Grand Rapids,
or Grand Haven, and settled there. With all the central
thought was the church. Wherever they located, whether in the
villages or in the wilderness, they banded under spiritual leaders.
In 1847, about 400, under the spiritual leadership- of the
Rev. Mr. Vander Meuler, planted themselves in the forest at
Zeeland. Another colony of 200, under the Rev. Yupena established
themselves at Vriesland.
South two miles from Vriesland, 150, without any one spe
cial head ; but under the special leadership of Elders Opholt and
Wiggers, began the colony of Drenthe.
Three hundred, led by the Rev. Mr. Bolks, started the colony
of Overheisel, five miles south of Drenthe.
Draafschap, with 300 people, was planted, with Elder1
Nierke as leader.
These colonies were all established in the year 1847. As a
whole combined, they were called by the world outside, the
" Holland Settlement."
It has been before said that religion was the central idea in
these colonies; that each rallied around a church.
Planted in the wilderness, their first thought was the services
of the Sabbath; but still, in the sheltering wood they assembled
to worship God. At Zeeland, in the fall of their first arrival,
they erected a log house of worship; a building 26x40 feet.
There, with rude benches for seats, they worshiped for a year.
They then, in the fall of 1848, put up a block-house, 40x60,
which served them until increasing wealth enabled them to
build their present edifice.
31

482 MEMORIALS OF THE •
That is the way people do, who believe in the religion they
profess. These Hollanders believed with a simple faith, which
to them was reality. Their spiritual leader was the Rev. Mr.
Vander Meuler. It was his to speak words of cheer, and in
spire their souls with hope. As "the sounding aisles of the
dim woods rang with their anthems," they joined with him in
their prayers of faith; and listened to his fatherly counsels.
When the hours to them looked dark, he showed them bril
liant beams of light, and sustained their fainting souls. Ah,
Dominie Vander Meuler, although you are now treading on the
horders of the spirit land, and the monitions of age ominous
of passing from time, your closing days are cheered by the
results of the mission of your years of prime; the benedic
tions of thousands are on you, and your memory will not be
lost. The colonists at first, as soon as they could, put up houses,
mostly of logs; some, however, erected buildings of boards,
bringing them from Grand Haven by water.
Some had money; such kindly helped the others in securing
their land. Among such is prominently to be noted Mr. E.
Vander Leuser; one of those men who feel they have a mis
sion — and that to help those who need help, and diffuse happi
ness. There a few such in the world. He left a splendid farm
in Holland, where his mansion was always as open as his heart;
and came to Zeeland, casting his lot with the humble class that
formed the settlement. Coming, he brought from Holland
seven or eight poor families with him; paid all their expenses,
gave each twenty acres of land (to be paid for when they could).
He distributed liberally to the poor; giving thousands; never
thinking of self. To sum it up, he was a man who had a big
soul. " God bless him," they all say. He died in 1870; his
wife in 1873. He is still alive in hearts he left behind; then,
is it right to say he died?
Another whole-souled man, who had some of that article,
the love of which is called the root of all evil, was Mr. G. Van
Hees, who bought 800 acres of land in his own name, and sold
-it in small farms to those who could not otherwise buy, giving
them time at 7 per cent. He had the satisfaction of seeing all

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 48"
but one become full owners. He also bought cattle and dis
tributed them, and got his pay. It would be hazardous among
Americans to throw one's property around so loosely, but the
Dutchman pays his debts, or at least did. It was safe to give
credit to one, who had used his last dollar. The simple
honesty of the Dutch emigrants was proverbial. If one owed
two cents he would surely come around and pay it. They not
only paid what was advanced them, but they soon began to
have money of their own. Dominie Vander Meuler says:
"Some of these poor men that were thus helped to their 20 or
40 acres of land, have piles of greenbacks so thick." (He
put his hands full nine inches apart.)
During the fall of 1847, Mr. Roberts erected a small saw
mill; Mr. K. Smith opened a store, and Mr. Isaac Naayen put
up a tavern. They had also this fall erected comfortable
houses, and, as said before, a church. They sought work, and
obtained it where they could — at Kalamazoo, Grand Haven
and Grand Rapids. Their wages were small, as they were
unskilled; but with their wages, what they had left, and the
general kindly aid they gave each other, they got through the
the winter without suffering. Their greatest trouble was trans
porting provisions and supplies from Grand Rapids. The
winter was peculiar — the mildest ever known, absolutely no
snow, a good deal of rain, and no frost in the ground. Besides
there was the long swamp to be crossed, and its crossing
was terrible. Too long (15 miles) to get around, they must
cross it. That swamp is no terror now; but, civilized, is the
best land known. Historically, to the colonists it was a horror ;
to-day it is full of greenbacks, instead of massasangas and
fathomless mud.
The American people found out that the Hollanders had
money — the genuine gold. Of course they wanted some of it,
and brought provisions and necessaries there to sell, and they
always were supplied. The first winter, which is generally the
time of trial with the pioneer, was not such to them. But
their little store of gold was wasting day by day; the hard
time came afterwards.
In 1848, they got in such crops as they could; corn, pota-

484 MEMORIALS OF THE
toes, beans, and garden vegetables in their scanty clearings.
They had good crops of these. New comers brought some
money; they earned some, and were tolerably well off— com
fortable and hopeful, some pinching, but no absolute. want.
. The hard times were in 1849. They had increased in num
bers; had enlarged their clearings, and had got in wheat and
other crops. But an unfavorable summer otherwise, and a
myriad of squirrels, left them without provisipns, and they
were without money. .Some money was realized by selling
Jand to new comers; but on the whole they had shortt com
mons, and were at times on the verge of starvation. People
outside were liberal; brought provisions; some two or three
times the supply seemed providential. Their- money had run
out. But the next year (1850), they had abundant crops;
numerous persons came in who had means, and they got
along well.
From this time the dark days of Zeeland were over. By
this time the men had learned to use the ax, and to clear land.
They had enough cleared to supply them with abundance of
food, The roads to them, though not good, were passable.
They felt, as a general thing, no hard times.
Here, with some six hundred people, we drop the pioneer
history of Zeeland.
In 1849, Mr. Elias Young was employed by the colony as
an English teacher. He stayed with them several years,
making himself generally useful; was the first supervisor, jus
tice of the peace, etc.
In 1848, Mr. Vander Leuser laid out eighty acres in: village
lots, and sold them to the settlers for from $6 to;$10 per acre.
This was the starting of the village.
The prosperity of the Dutch colonies at Zeeland, Vriesland,
etc., has been almost unexampled; and taking into consider
tion all the circumstances, it is a marvel; commencing with
those whose early life had given them no apprenticeship fitting
them for pioneer, enterprises — the humble peasantry of Hol
land, having with them but few men of property or leading
intelligence — people, poor and unskilled. Twenty-five years
changed the wilderness into a region.of noble farms and thriv-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 4S5
ing villages; and a community of poor emigrants into one
noted for their wealth and independence.
The basis of the whole of this unexampled prosperity is:
their patient industry, their rigid economy, and their personal
morality. Whether the Hollander settled himself in the
" colony," or took up his residence in other places, the charac
ter given above was his, and the result has beeh the same; he
has prospered. In Grand Rapids, Grand Haven or Kala
mazoo, a poor Hollander is seldom seen. They have ever
shown themselves a temperate and moral people, not disposed
to be leading, but always a valuable class of citizens. Crimes
and immoralities among them have beeh rare. Few have
sought high' culture, unless they had the Gospel ministry in
view; They have taken advantage of the means for common
education where they have located; or have provided them for
themselves where they were the controlling people.
¦ They early employed English teachers. In the Holland set
tlement the schools have been entirely English. The result
is, the Holland language is becoming disused. The two lan
guages are spoken by all, but the English is the exclusive
language of the younger people in their intercourse with each
other. The dream, the fond aspiration of the ardent Van Raalte,
has not its seconding reality. An unmixed community, an
unity in associations and religion, centering around one har
monious church, has not been realized. Their own dear cher
ished church has been divided by a schism, which has ranged
the Holland people in two unsympathizing and unfraternal
parties: They have not only the " Reformed," but the " True
Reformed" churches. The differences between them to out
siders seem trivial; but all observation on the religious world
shows that the smaller the difference, the greater the zeal with
which it is maintained.
' It is nothing to the purpose of this history to point out what
is the difference between Reformed and True Reformed. The.
schism commenced' in 1856 or '7, with the Rev. Mr. Klyne,
then pastor at G'rand Rapids. He was dealt with for some
notions or practices different from the orthodox standards of

486 MEMORIALS OF THE
the church, and his connection severed. He set up independ
ent, leading with him a portion of the people. The compara
tive force of the two denominations will be seen in another
place. At Holland, where Van Raalte first planted his colony, the
breach in unity is still greater. The American element has
become predominant in a great degree. Other Christian de
nominations have secured a strong foothold, in addition to the
division of their own church. -But Van Raalte's name will
live as one whose noble zeal had noble results.
In Zeeland, the church which was planted in the wilderness
has thriven under the successive pastorates of its original pas
tors — C. Vander Meuler, S. Bolks, and W. Moordyk.
The True Reformed started in 1854. They have a respect:
able church edifice, and are under the pastoral care of the
Rev. Mr. Coelyuk. Preaching in the Dutch language.
Zeeland was organized as a town, July 14, 1851, having been
before a part of Holland. The first meeting was at the church.
Number of voters, 93. Elected:
Elias J. Young, Supervisor; RobertusM. De Bruyn, Clerk;
Johannus C. Van Hees, E. G. Young, Johannus Nieuman-
dorf, Justices. This town clerk was school teacher for several
years. The second meeting was April 2d, 1852. Voted, $200 for
repairs on roads; $20, for books, and $20, for scrapers.
OLIVE.
The early history of Olive is particularly interesting. The
town had a two-fold occupation — the one by the Port Sheldon
Company, and the other at a later day.
The history of the Port Sheldon Company is an episode in
the settlement of Michigan, of more than usual interest. There
was at about 1836, a mania for locating cities and villages.
Men fancied they could see in the wilderness where these must
arise. The points were secured; villages platted and mapped;
. and many were those who paid their money for lots in those
paper cities.
In 1836, a number of capitalists in New York and Phila-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 487
delphia formed a joint stock company, the Port Slieldon
Company, with the design of founding a city on the western
coast of Michigan. They had abundant capital at their com
mand, and in good faith set themselves earnestly to work.
The design was to start a city, and by developing the country
around, give it a metropolitan character. Detroit was the cen
ter of trade for Eastern Michigan, and was likely to continue
such. Chicago was but a place in embryo, and its growth and
development problematical. It was but common sagacity
which foresaw that a town must arise which should be what
Chicago now is. And it was sure, even if the great metrop
olis could not be secured to Western Michigan, that a town or
towns, of no small dimensions, must grow up at the mouths of
the rivers or by the indenting bays.
The company, having matured its design, and secured the
necessary capital, proceeded to select a location for their city.
They selected the mouth of Grand River, but that was already
in the possession of the Grand Haven Company, who, well
realizing that they had the place where the principal port must
be, rejected the overtures of the Port Sheldon Company.
Although well aware that the Grand Haven Company had the
desirable point, they determined, by getting the start in devel
opment, to crush out Grand Haven, and secure the ends they
aimed at.
They selected for their location, the north side of Pigeon
Lake; and in the fall of 1837, commenced operations in earnest.
They came on with a vessel loaded with provisions and stores;
bringing their houses ready to set up, and about 40 men consist
ing of directors, superintendents, surveyors, engineers, etc.,
with every equipment for laying out the place; and everything
necessary for their comfort and enjoyment during the winter.
The company had for a general superintendent, Saunders
Coates, who afterwards became a manufacturer of gas-works
in New York. He was for four years editor of the Mobile
Register. He was one of those men who live to diffuse hap
piness and to win friends. While in this region, he .was much
esteemed as a gentleman. The other resident superintendents
were. Alexander H. Judon and E. P. Deacon. Judou was

488 MEMORIALS OF THE
last heard from in New York; Deacon died in Cuba. George
M. Barker, well known at Grand Rapids, was with them as a
surveyor. Abraham Pike, since famous as the one who first
enunciated the subordinate position of office-holders, was with
them in the capacity of clerk. There were also about thirty
agents, clerks, etc
They proceeded to lay out a city; to survey the harbor and
improve the entrance. An elegant map of the harbor and plat
was engraved. A careful study of this map shows that they
were either decidedly in earnest, or were projecting a mighty
humbug. The latter it certainly was not intended to be, as
subsequent events most fully demonstrated. The city was most
carefully laid out, and makes a beautiful display on paper.
There are 142 blocks; generally 24 lots in a block. It needs
but one thing to make it perfect — a central park. Seven lots
are reserved for churches; one for a fish market; two for mar
kets; four for a railroad depot; four for a city hall, and one for
a school-house. A railroad is laid through the city, and piers
from Pigeon Lake to Lake Michigan. The soundings of the
harbor are on the map, and all indicates that if there is not a
city tliere, the projectors mean there shall be.
The company laid out and made roads to Grandville aud
Grand Haven — good roads, too, — at an expense of from five to
ten thousand dollars. They built a light-house, and main
tained it at their own expense for two years. They owned a
beautiful little yacht, the Memee (Indian for pigeon); had their
fancy boats and boat club, who used to disport themselves in
full regalia. They built a splendid hotel, at an expense of
from thirty to forty thousand dollars; finished and furnished
it in superb style. It was 60 by 120 feet — a hotel in the wil
derness, where a traveler did not come once a month! They
built an office which cost $10,000, and a store of the same value ;
no country around to supply, and their city on paper. They
put up a steam mill, the best in the Western country, costing
$20,000; and erected about 15 small dwellings.
In 1838, there were there about 300 people, mostly in the
employ of the company. To some of these lots were sold at a
moderate price. These formed a community, in true frater-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 489
nity, and enjoyed themselves extensively. The same bell that
now calls from Butterworth & Lowe's foundry, in Grand Rap
ids, called the happy company to their luxurious dinners.
Pike, from whom these facts are obtained, now sighs when he
thinks of Port Sheldon ; and it is with tearful eyes he revolves
in his mind the scenes of those happy days.
Among the company was a lawyer— Edward Badger — a man
who liked to " rai>3 Cain " better than to study Chitty on
Pleading. In fac'*, he was a fellow whose character will be un
derstood at once, if we say he was a " colt." He stayed there
two years, went off, turned play-actor, and became somewhat
distinguished. He probably did no law business among the
denizens of Port Sheldon. For a time they had a physician —
Dr. Scranton — who won hearts while he cared for human in
firmities. He left, went South, and was succeeded by Dr.
Coxe, who is now believed to be in Detroit.
The company obtained a charter for a railroad from Port
Sarnia across the State, to Port Sheldon,, and made a beginning,
hy grubbing several miles of the road. They had their railroad-
office, whose beautiful gilded sign is the 'memorial the writer has
secured of the great city that was to be. It was presented by
Mr. Pike, who, in giving the facts, confirmed them by a "sign."
Alas! must the whole be told! Port Sheldon is not. The
commercial crisis that followed, and the discovery of the fact
that the entrance to the harbor could not be kept open, oblit
erated the city. The company .abandoned the project; bought'
off those that had made investments; j>a,id for their improve
ments, assuming to themselves all the loss; dismantled their
mill; moved off everything movable; abandoned the places,
leaving Mr. Pike sole occupant and sole agent. There he lived
several years, endeavoring to sell the land, hotel, etc., for some
thing. He sold the hotel and thirty lots for less than the cost
of the paint and glass. -The rest of the land has since been
sold for the sake of the hemlock bark that was on it. The
result of the whole is, one man is there, trying to fight starva
tion, by doing the work of a: whole city. It is to be hoped he
does not own much of the land thereabout; for if he does,
the Lord pity him!

490 MEMORIALS OF THE
The whole scheme was a mighty bubble. Yet, wild, roman
tic and visionary as it now seems, in the light of results,
it was one which involved an immense amount of capital;
and which was carried on with a noble comprehensiveness
of design, worthy of crowning success. In its active life,
and in its failure, the company displayed a regard for hon
orable principle that may well defy comparison.
This was a beautiful folly; a wild scheme which seems like
the dream of a child. But who would mistrust a bubble
was not solid, if he did not see it burstl
A man in New Jersey invented an improved steam engine.
When he had got his working model nearly completed, he
invited a learned professor from New York to examine it.
The professor scanned it closely, and was profuse in his
expressions of delight. "Beautiful workmanship," "Very
ingenious," " Only one fault about it." Delighted with the
encomiums, the inventor inquired " What is that ?" "It won't
go! otherwise it is perfect," was the cheering reply. So with
the Port Sheldon scheme. Tliere was but one fault about it.
Any good hydrographer could have told them the entrance to
the harbot could not be kept open; and of course the city
"couldn't go."
Pigeon Lake, which was to be the harbor, is an inlet of
Lake Michigan, connected by a narrow strait. The influx of,
water from the land is too small to keep that strait open. If
opened by dredging, the first storm on the lake will silt it up..
When the company had demonstrated this fact, they wisely
abandoned their project. Their folly was, that they did not
prove there could be an entrance to the harbor before they in-.
curred the great expense. It is easy to see why they failed,
but sometimes lessons of wisdom cost a great deal; and men
are not to be reproached for their folly when they have acted
according to their best judgment. Whose ways have always
shown wisdom ? Not yours or mine.
When Port Slieldon was abandoned, Olive was once more
an abandoned wild — uninviting to the settler and entirely neg
lected. It was finally settled upon the principle that causes
all poor land to be taken. When the good land has all been

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 491
bought in the region around, somebody will g,ve something
for the poor, and will occupy it. The land of Olive had long been
in the market as U. S. Government land, and found no pur
chasers. When land has been for a series of years in market
it is sold at a reduced price — a mere nominal sum. Under
the graduation act, land was taken in this town, and settler
ment progressed. Hemlock bark had become a thing of value,
and a considerable portion of the town was hemlock land.
But it is not necessary to speculate on the various reasons that
induced people to come in. They came in — at a late day, to
he sure; but they came; good, staunch men, who, taking hold
at the right end, have made for themselves homes and for
tunes; and they ask no sympathy.
The settlement is, in a measure, identified with that of the
south part of Robinson and Allendale, and of the Holland
colony. The early history of Olive places it as an off-shoot. or
expansion of the Holland settlement. It remained a part of
Holland until 1857, when it was set off.
As the settlement of the town was at a late day, and then
only by spreading out a little, who were the first to occupy, is
of little importance, and there is uncertainty about it. Our
gleanings are:
Augustus Names, formerly from Saxony, came from Ohio
, in 1856. At that time there were no settlers in the north part
of the town. James Eastway and his three sons — William,
Samuel, Alfred — and Gale Burchess, Joel M. Fellows (son-in-
law of Eastway), and Thomas S. Finch, came at the same time.
Most of these had families. All were poor men. Some had
teams and a little property. The Eastways were Edwin, EliaSj
and Egbert (their father liked his " E's "). All of these per
sons, with the exception of Gale Burchess and Egbert East-.
way, took land under the graduation act, paying 50 cents an
acre for it. At the time time Names and the others came into
the north part of the town, there were a few Hollanders in
the southern part.
It is not deemed expedient to enlarge upon the early occu
pation of Olive, as it was part and parcel of the Holland
settlement, which is more fully treated of in another place. ¦

492 . MEMORIALS OF JTHE •
The town was set off from Holland, and organized April
6th, 1857. The first meeting was held at the house of Wm. P.
Bakker, at Port Sheldon. Its first officers were:
G. C. Jones, Supervisor; J. M. Fellows, Clerk; K.Warner,
Treasurer; James B, Eastway, Warner Semple, James Li
Fletcher, C. Smith, Justices.
Number of voters, 55. $100 raised for town expenses. '<
It was a good while before the settlers leaned much on the
soil for a support. They made shingles and carried them to
Lamont and Eastmanville, where they got their supplies.
They had no schools or school-houses until 1863. Then two
were built, one of which is standing and occupied still. The
first school in No. 2 was kept by Miss Tate, of Georgetown. ¦
In 1861, a great part of the town was burnt over, doing a
good deal of damage.
James Eastway, spoken of above as one of the first, was a
valuable citizen ; a well-educated man; looked up to by -the
people. He moved to Robinson, in 1860, where he died, in
1870. . Nature was not very liberal to Olive, but Dutch frugality
and hard work have proved that where there is the will, man
need not despair. A Dutchman will support a family and lay-
up money, if you will give him a chance to work. That he is
not afraid of. He will make money where that class who pride
themselves on their smartness would be sure to see themselves
seated on a stump^ and sighing, with poverty enough and to
spare. You don't see a poor Hollander, nor very often a rich one.
The property they have, they worked for ; it was not got by specu
lations. When they have earned a dollar, they will make it
do full service, and not part with it without full and valuable
consideration. In time, the old stocking is full of bright, shin
ing dollars; and Knickerbocker and his good vrouw, too old to
work, can smoke their pipes, smiling in calm content on their
good home and numerous progeny; For you maybe assured;
that in their prime they have devoutly sung the 127th Psalm,
and have drank in its inspiration. They have read and de
voutly pondered Proverbs, xiii., 4th; and the consequences are
independence and self-respect. Let alone a Hollander for get-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 493
ting a living. By patient perseverance the- obelisks' of Egypt
were wrought out of porphyry. So patient perseverance soon
changes the poor emigrant into a thriving farmer, or well-to-
do shopkeeper. It don't fill poor-houses, or clothe in rags.
Well would it be for some of our young men, who cannot sup
port themselves on a $500 salary, to take a few lessons from
the Hollanders, who, earning far less than that, have brought
up families, laid up a snug little fortune, and own their houses,
shops or farms ; just because when they got money they knew
how to keep it. Thirty cents a day for cigars! Twenty for
whisky! Young man, your mother did not receive a prize
the day you was born. Go to the Dutchman, thou spendthrift,
and learn the secret of human thrift. Proverbs vi., 6.
The part of Olive, now Port Sheldon, is one of the great
"Pigeon Roosts" of Michigan, These birds are. to the last
degree gregarious; in countless millions occupying the same
region in the breeding season. Their numbers at these roosts
defy competition; loading the trees with their nests, darkening
the air in their flight, and drowning all other sounds in the con-
fuseddin of the coming and going flocks. Their feeding grounds
may be 100 miles away. At all times, day and night, flocks are
going and coming, the size of which staggers belief. About
1870,, the writer was in Grand Haven, and witnessed the.return
of aflock. It could not have been less than 100 miles. in length
— a continued uninterrupted stream of life, which was two
and a half hours in passing.
The feeding of pigeonsiis systematic. A flock alights in a
field or wood, and then each pigeon examines the little space
around -it, and having exhausted it, flies forward, alights just
in front. , At first sight all would appear to be on the wing,
so constant is the rising and alighting in advance. There is
nothing left when they have done their work.
The killing of pigeons has been an extensive business at
Olive. They are sent by the car-load to New York and other
¦places. i The pigeon, is a queer bird. It hatches one brood, and then
always keeps an egg in the nest for the young ones to hatch;
this is kept up during, the. whole summer. Thus brood after

494 MEMORIALS OF THE
brood is filling up the flocks decimated by man and all the
predaceous birds. Defenseless, their existence is in their
fecundity. As to whether they are a nuisance or not, opinion
is divided; but certainly they are an interesting feature of
Olive. ROBINSON.
This town takes its name from its first settlers. It is else
where noted in this book, that a large number of the relatives
of Rix Robinson came into the Grand River region in 1835.
Six brothers — Nathan, John, Rodney, Edward, Luciis, and Ira
¦ — came in the vessel, "St. Joseph," from Detroit to Grand
Haven. They, aided by the judgment of their brother, had
come to the conclusion that this Valley was the place to build
' a fortune. So, with their wives and children, 42 in number,
they came on together
Four of the brothers — Rodney, Lucus, John and Ira located
in this town. About three years afterwards, Rodney and
Lucus removed to Flat River, leaving the other two.
They took up land in the fall of 1835. They raised a few
potatoes the next season; but spent most of their time lum
bering. Like most of the operators in lumber at the time,
they failed to make money by it. The fact is very notice
able, that lumber was manufactured before it was demanded;
and in quantity in excess of the demand. Therefore it was a
poor business. The person who reads this history, or one who
in any way familiarizes himself with the doings in early times,
will be surprised at the calculations that were based on pine —
at the investment in mills, in advance- of the real prospect
in sales. Probably ten dollars were lost on mills and lumber,
where one was gained. It seems that there was a kind of mania
for saw-mills. Instead of putting up the cheap concerns that
were really needed, expensive mills were erected; and failed to
remunerate, of course.
As an instance of early times lumbering, the first winter
Ira Robinson cut with an ax, and put by the river, 996 logs
which had been contracted to ' the Grand Haven Company, at
50 cents a log. The Company did not buy them. They lay

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 495
by the river several years; and were then sold for a barrel
of pork and two barrels of flour! Robinson found that getting
rich by cutting logs was rather doubtful.
The growth of the town was slow; most of the land was
owned by non-residents ; bought on account of its pine. The
town had little to attract those who were seeking places for
farms. No settler in his senses would choose his location in a
forest of pine. That pine will not then find a sale; the labor
of clearing is immense; and then the stumps! Time rolls on;
the openings and timbered lands have invited occupatkm; a
demand has arisen for lumber; it has been cut and c^|ried
from the land. It is now easy to be cleared. The filling up
of the region has given a value to the land ; and the process
of turning pine land into farms is going on. The stump
' machine ' is civilizing the land in Robinson.
As said before, the occupation by settlers was slow. The
town was not organized until 1856. The first meeting was at
the house of Ira Robinson, when eighteen voters were present.
Its first officers were: John W. Barnard, Supervisor; Edward
G. Robinson. Clerk; Willard Furgerson, Treasurer; Jonathan
Hazard, Wm. H. Wood, Alfred Robinson, Fred. T. Ranney,
Justices. The settlers who came soon after the Robinsons, were: Wm.
F. Wood, Jared and Harrison Conner, Alva Trumbull, James
Black, Joseph Lemon, Dexter Ranney and  Hartenburg
— all within three or four years.
It will be perceived that the town was not organized until
twenty-one years after its first occupation. The number of its
inhabitants at the time we have no means of ascertaining. The
small vote at the first meeting has been given. In 1857, the
vote was thirty-six. The first census, that of 1860, showed
one hundred and twenty-eight. Four years after it was one
hundred and twenty-six. So it seems that as late as 1864, there
was but a very partial occupancy. In 1870, there Were four
hundred and six; showing quite an increase. This is in har
mony with the experience of other pine townships. People
began to see that a good use could be made of this land, and
went to work to subdue it. At present the population is over
five hundred.

496 MEMORIALS. OF THE
- There is in the town, the little village of Robinson, where
Mr. Eastman, has a mill. Around the mill some other busi
ness has clustered. There are two stores and a church.
As a matter of course, the town has but little history, other
than its lumbering operations — all of which went to enrich or
impoverish, as the case might be, the residents of other, places. .
Robinson had to begin its history, and its development after
it had been sacked and its primitive resources exhausted by
others. Its. few pioneers were in during the time that tried the souls
and4t)ie endurance of men. They suffered during the often
mentioned " starvation. winter," when $20 was the price for, a
barrel of flour, and $50 for a barrel of pork; and when, for the
last, $100 was refused. Mr. Robinson paid $20 at Grand Rap
ids for a barrel of flour, and drew it home on, a hahd-sled.
During that winter a team with flour got stuck by Bass River,
and they were obliged to leave it. The people, recognizing
the rights of dread necessity, took forcible possession-t-not as
robbers, but as citizens, facing the responsibility of their deed.
It was carefully weighed out to the needy, and charged to those
receiving it. The whole was afterwards paid for. Before cen
suring, reflect on the great principle that necessity knows no
law. If your children must starve, or you commit a trespass,
how would you act? Those with a full stomach can moralize
on principles and rights; but it is hard to be a saint or moral
ist when hunger is gnawing the vitals. " Lead us not into
temptation," is about equivalent tp " Don't let us be hungry."
Situated as the town is, it is easy to see what it will be. But
at present it has the air of newness, and it is but imperfectly
developed. Its beautiful river prospects will be appreciated.
It bides its time. GEORGETOWN.
Georgetown, consisting of four townships — 5 and 6 N., Rs.
13 and 14 W., — was authorized by the Legislature to organize
as a town. in 1839. But it seems that they failed to organize;
for we find that, in 1840, the Legislature enacted that George
town is attached to Ottawa, if she does not organize.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 497
At first, almost every year witnessed some changa in the
limits of the town. These may be traced by reference to the
summary of the legislative history, given in another place.
First limits are understood to be temporary arrangements. By
simple reference to the map, it will be seen that many surveyed
townships are divided by the river; and that the towns border
ing on the river are composed of fractions of townships.
Georgetown, in its settlement, may be considered an exten
sion of Grandville; and measurably, at the present time, they
are identified; as the two villages — ^Grandville, in Wyoming,
and Jennisonville, in Georgetown — are scarcely anything but
divisions of the same village, for many years constituting one
school district. They are one settlement, with simply the mis
fortune of being in two towns and in two counties. The his
tory of Grandville is given in its proper place, and in giving
it, there was no intentional separation of it from its neighbor,
Georgetown. A town line near Grandville was not observed.
Now, stepping over that line, and eliminating Georgetown
from the Grandville settlement, we note that the first settler
was an old bachelor, Lorenzo French, who located in 1835.
The first family was that of Lemuel Jennison, who came on
with his wife and four children, the same year. Jennison, Sr.,
lived but a short time, being killed by a tree in 1837. His
wife died in 1840. The family, at the present writing (18,75),
are still all living. Altha, formerly Mrs. Bliss, now Mrs.
Johnson, is near Jennisonville;. Betsy, as Mrs.B. S. Hanchett,
is at Grand Rapids; and the brothers —Hiram and Luman —
whose business has ever been, and is, the center and founda
tion of Jennisonville, are still in the town, and carrying on
business at the village, that bears their name.
The;early history of Georgetown is about all of lumbering
operations. The principal operators were the Jennisons.
John Haire, Galen Eastman and the Messrs. Weatherwax.
Haire commenced in 1851; built a steam mill in 1856.
But little was done in the further part of the town, except
stealing the lumber. The land, considered worthless for set
tlement, was sold in large tracts for the pine that was on it.
It was a late idea that the land was valuable. When stripped
32

498 MEMORIALS OF THE
of its pine, it was a public common, resorted to in the season
for blackberries. Then Georgetown was alive with those who
came from Grand Rapids and other places, to pick the deli
cious fruit. As the blackberry pickers began to see log houses
going up in the blackberry region, they pitied the persons who
condemned themselves to perpetual poverty. But the next
year showed heavy crops of corn, where it was supposed only
blackberries would flourish. And soon were visible the fine
fields of wheat and clover. Opening their eyes, and raising
their hands, the exclamation was: "Well, who would have
thought it!"
Mr. Haire wa3 one of the first to develop the land. He
built the first large house and pulled the first stumps in 1855.
Having fixed upon a beautiful location, his ambition was to
have a model farm. It is now not a little interesting to see
what work can do, and to witness the philosophical coolness of
those who have grappled with the difficulties, despised and
overcome them. A ride through the town is interesting. The
virgin forest has mostly disappeared. A tract willbe passed
where the valueless pine is standing, blackened by the fires;
the ground covered with what was left after the Jogs had been
taken away— a picture of poverty and desert desolation. Soon
we come to a field enclosed, and in crops among the stumps.
On the other side of the road stands a " stump machine; " and
there, half covering the ground, are the extracted stumps, in
all their hateful ugliness. A little further along the road some
men are at work drawing these stumps to the side of the fields,
and arranging them in a hideous row; and the complacent
owner is standing near, with his hands in his pockets, serenely
contemplating the scene, and soliloquizing after this fash
ion: "There's a fence made for all time! None of your
flimsy board concerns that an ox of any spirit would .walk
right through, and that cost as much as my stump fence.
None of you rotting rail fences to be forever repaired, and
that must be rebuilt in fifteen years. No, thank God, I have
stumps on my farm, enough to fence it; and fenced, it is done
for all time; and my fields and cattle are safe. Let them turn
up their noses, if they please, at its lack of beauty, just as they

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 499
do atmy wife— say she is homely. Lord! don't I know her
worth? I wouldn't swap her, homely as she is, for a dozen of
your delicate, fancy wives. No! no! give me the substantial
and enduring. Give me a good stump fence! "
That old fellow is not so green after all. The real value of
these pine lands is just beginning to be realized, and the owners
of them ask no commiseration.
Above it is said that the first operations were in the line of
lumber. There was for a long time but a very sparse popula
tion. In 1845, we find but 133 persons in the large territory
then called Georgetown. In 1650, 196, which would suffi
ciently show that people were in no haste to establish homes
in that place.
There is little credit in being among the early settlers. It
was not to go into distant wilds. Civilization had already a
strong hold in the Valley, and the river gave easy communi
cation. In 1843, we find the Jennisons, Freeman Burton, Charles
Corey, Mr. E. F. Bosworth, and Stephen Lowing. There
were at that time two houses at Jennisonville. Mr. Lowing
had a mature family, who have made their mark as prominent
citizens in Ottawa county. Lumber brought Lowing.
Soon after 1843, came Seymour Cunningham, Francis Spear,
Booth Perry, Jonathan Scott (father of Sheriff Scott), and
Andrew Rowles. There is little use in. further giving names,
for reasons given above.
The first school was No. 1 on Sec. 8. It was organized Sept.,
1845; a frame house built at an expense of $112. Miss Ann
Evarts (at present Mrs. Angell, of Grand Haven,) was the first
teacher. The second school was organized about the same
time, and was taught by Miss Bemis (now Mrs. Avery Brit-
tain, of Grandville).
In 1838, Geo. Ketchum built the first mills at Jennisonville
— a gang saw-mill and a grist-mill. He bought much land,
and set out to do a big business; but his grist-mill burned.
He failed and went to California. The Jennisons bought the
water power, and 1,200 acres of land.
Hiram Jennison run the first raft of lumber down the
Grand River. a

500 MEMORIALS OF THE
ALLENDALE.
The history of Allendale is very brief. It was a late day
before it was settled at all; and its subsequent history is that
of most other towns where lumbering is the chief interest.
The land was, the most of it, purchased for its pine, and held
for that by speculators and non-residents. Again, about 1836,
the spirit of speculation was rife in the Eastern States; and
there was a rage for purchasing Western lands. The man who
had a little spare cash, came to Michigan or some other West
ern State; hunted the wilds for land; selected the best, and
went off; leaving only the undesirable lots for the one who
came to locate a home.
Until as late as 1855, a great proportion of the best farming
lands was so held — at first with an iron grip ; afterwards, from
a disrelish of paying taxes — with a looser hand. Most ofthe
really desirable land on the Grand River was so held. This
was one of the reasons why townships, one or two removes
from the river, were settled before those along its side. Back
from the river was land that could be bought at Government
price, or with State scrip. Near the river, the land was owned
by, no one knew who ; and was not open to occupation. Al
lendale, unfortunately, was in this category, and long remained
a place for cutting logs and hunting deer.
In June, 1843, Richard Roberts took up the flrst oue hun
dred and sixty acres that was occupied by an actual settler.
For several years he kept a place of entertainment for travelers.
He sold out and moved to the place where he spent the rest
of his life. In 1843-4, came Thomas Jones, John Hanna, and
Ephraim Pierson. In 1844, Robert Scott came on ; cleared a
few acres, and went back. The family, his mother and brothers,
Alexander and James, came on and occupied. He followed
them two years afterwards. In 1845, Alexander Milne took
up his residence in the town. Morris Reed located in 1847.
These were the pioneers ; others followed slowly.
In 1851, the Methodists formed a society or class of nine mem
bers — Wm. Comfit, Joseph Burlinghame, Johnson Balcom, Al
exander Milne, and their wives, and Lucy. J. Spear. The class
was formed under the ministration of the Rev. Wm. C. Comfort.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 501
About 1854, Albert Maxfield, a local preacher, organized a
class of Wesleyan Methodists. Some ofthe other class joined
them, and the original society ceased to exist. This society
has had an active existence since; has now regular preaching,
and some forty members. The society has no church edifice.
The Congregationalists, in 1872, began to bestir themselves ;
organized a society of about fifteen members, and, with the aid
of some whole-hearted sinners, and of liberal people in other
places, erected the first, and at present the only, church edifice
in the town.
It is to be hoped that the Methodists will take counsel from
wisdom, open their purses, appeal to the sinners, and not ap
peal in vain. That much-talked-against class of people are
ever found ready to help, for they believe in the gospel, and
like those best who pitch into them the hardest. Make the
appeal to them, ye Wesleyans, after you have shown, by your
own liberality, that you really believe what you profess to, and
be assured the appeal will not be in vain.
The first school in the town was kept by Francis M. Burton,
a Grand Rapids boy, who, in consideration of the fact that it
was his first attempt at teaching — and further, in consideration
of the fact that it was all they could pay — taught for $10 a
month. This Burton was a genius in his way. When last
heard from, he was in Oregon.
The town was organized in 1849; then consisting of town
ships 5, 6 and what of 7 is south of the river. The first meet
ing was at the house of Richard Roberts.
The stump machine is at work in Allendale. Until that has
done its work, civilized agriculture can make but little progress.
Stumps, whether in the fields or in- the human mouth, are un-
poetic things. Rhyme to " stump" as you will, it is some
word with low associations — as " lump, bump, dump, mump,
gump, or trump—" the last with double meaning; the one
associating it with Gabriel; and the other, with those unseemly
pictures with which vacant heads are often amused. A wid
ower with a mouth full of stumps stands but a poor chance,
unless his pocket is welllined; and a farm, with these unsightly
objects disfiguring it, excites no poetic rapture. But they are

502 MEMORIALS OF THE
disappearing, and the fields of Allendale wilt yet be as beau
tiful as her name. The town is one of capacities rather than
a developed reality. The views on the river are fine; the land
is good, and has a pleasing variety of surface; and the civiliz
ing agents are at work. It is easy to see what it will be.
All honor to the person with an ear for music, and with
poetry in his soul, who, as godfather, named the young town.
Were not our harp long since hung on the willows, we would
improvise a strain, that should wake some more youthful bard
to sing of " Lovely Allendale."
There is but one human name (and that our own) that we
can bear to see borne by a town. Allendale has no such load
to bear. Other people feel about as we do. Therefore, we
advise all young towns and villages to compliment no one; to
imitate no one; but exercise taste and that alone. We said
above, there was one excepted name. Should any people
choose to give that name to their place, we should feel the
compliment; but should not admire their taste.
POLKTON.
The temporary organization of the town was authorized oy
the Legislature March 19th, 1845. Its territory consisted of
four townships, 5, 6, 7, 8, N., R. 14 W. The first town meet
ing was appointed to be held at the house of Timothy East
man. At the first town meeting, the 14th of April, Timothy
Eastman was chosen Moderator, and Robert F. Tracy, Clerk.
There were present 19 voters. The meeting was adjourned
from Eastman's house to the school-house near by, where were
elected: Timothy Eastman, Supervisor; John N. Hopkins, Clerk;
Paschal Maxfield, Treasurer; T. Eastman, R. F. Tracy, Benj.
Hopkins, P. Maxfield, Justices.
Twenty offices were filled, of which T. Eastman had 3; P.
Maxfield, 3; B. Hopkins, 3; Ephraim Parsons, Robert Tracy,
and Charles Wiley, each 2.
The names of sixteen of the voters are found on the record.
Timothy Eastman, Pasclial Maxfield, Robert F. Tracy, Justus
Stiles, Charles Wiley, Stephen Morse, Warren Streeter, Joseph

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 503
Burlinghame, John N. Hopkins, Benjamin Hopkins, Daniel
Realy, Ephraim Parsons, David Stanton, Paul Avery, John
Gardner, James Charles.
One hundred dollars was raised for town purposes.
Indicative of the subsequent growth of the town, in 1847
the vote was 43; in 1848, 26; in 1849, 35. A reference to
the summary of legislative action, will show that in this time
the dimensions of the territory were undergoing changes.
The settlement of Polkton and Talmadge are in substance
the same. A center of settlement was at Steele's Landing
(now Lamont), near the line of the two towns. Neighbors
found themselves in different towns. Most of the pioneers
located on the Talmadge side. So the proper place for giving
the rise and progress of the settlement is in connection with
that town, and the village of Lamont.
Although at a very early day settlers clustered around
Lamont, the town of Polkton made but little progress for quite
a number of years. Timothy D. and Benjamin Lilly pushed
on a distance from the " Landing " in 1843, and settled them
selves where they have ever since resided. They cut their own
road from the Landing. Richard Piatt, 1844; Sylvanus Waters,
1844. Of the early settlers, or as early as 1848, we are able to give
the names of Chauncey and Justus Stiles; .Warren Streeter
(transient), Peter McNaughton, Richard Stiles, Abraham Peck,
Josiah T. Eawton, Walter McEwing (the first in the Cooper-
ville part of the town), 1845; Sylvester Jackson, Ephraim
Doane (transient). He was afterwards murdered at St. Louis;
Henry Garter (transient), Paul Averill, a Canadian, who left
on account of the " patriot war." Daniel W. Scott, who estab
lished a tannery,— the first between Grand Rapids and Grand
Haven, on Dorr Creek, east of Cooperville; Edward Streeter,
by Scott; John Averill (son of Paul); John N. Hopkins and
Win. Piatt.
The most of these, in green old age, are still living and en
joying the fruits of their labor. A few rest where we all must
rest, "josiah Lawton died in 1863, aged 77; and Paul Averill
died in 1873, aged 55; and John N. Hopkins (more identified
with Spring Lake) is also dead.

504 MEMORIALS OF THE
The part of the town away from the river did not grow much
until the D. & M. Railroad came through. •
There was no school nearer than Eastmanville, until 1853.
Then Miss Eliza B. Torrey taught a school of ten scholars, in
a log house without Windows, one mile north of Cooperville.
That house did service until 1871. This Miss Tdrrey is now
Mrs. Daniel W. Seott, Hear Cooperville.
Benjamin F. Cooper, in the spring of 1845, purchased the
section, on which Cooperville is situated. It remained
Untouched until the D. and M. Railroad came through. Then
Cooper, as an inducement, offered the company the undivided
one-half of 160 acres, if they would locate a depot there, and
call it Cooperville. He sent his two sons to start the place.
They built a saW-mill, and opened a store. They stayed four
years, failed, and went back to Utica." Cooper got discouraged
and did no more. After his death the property was sold to W. F.
Storrs, George W. Danforth, Charles Hosmer and A. C. Ellis;
and the place began to grow, and has since developed itself into
a business place of some importance. It has at present seven
stores, two taverns, one tannery, a saw and grist-mill; and the
other adjuncts of a thriving country Village. It has a good brick
school-house, which cost $5,000. It is not a fancy structure, but
a good, substantial, plain building. It was built in 1871. The
first principal was Milo D. AldersoH, who for two years pre
sided in it; and who gave general satisfaction. He was suc
ceeded by Geo. A. Farr; who, aided by two assistants, is now
in charge. Scholars, 150.
Polkton has been the theatre of an unusual number of
tragical deaths.
Albert Randall was killed by the fall of a limb of a tree, in
1850. Frederick Marshall was the same year killed by the fall of a
tree; and about the same time Frederick Whitcup, a Hol
lander, met a similar fate.
Peter Wilde, an old man, haiiged himself, in 1875.
Harry Steele was killed by the bursting of a mill-stone.
Norman Hinsdale, at Lamont, was drowned while attempt
ing to rescue a boy.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 505
James Van Gorden, a young man, was killed by being struck
on the head with a club. His assailant was a youth, who was
sent to the house of correction two and a half years.
A youth by the name of Vanden Bowt was killed by the
fall of a limb. He was not a resident.
Heman Leland was shot accidentally, about 1864.
The churches of Cooperville are the Episcopal Methodist,
the Congregational, and the Free Methodist. The Congre
gational has ceased to have an active existence.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was started in 1866. The
original class were:
Walter McEwing and wife; Roswell Tbothacre and wife;
Robert Martin and wife; Mrs. Sours, Mrs. Austin, and two
others. For two years, meetings were held in private houses, and
then in the hall over one of the stores.
After the Congregational churcli was built, the Methodists
had the privilege of the house once in two weeks. In 1875, they
bought out the right of the Congregationalists to the house —
that soeiety having run out. The class is still small.
The Free Methodists have an active organization.
WRIGHT.
Until April 5th, 1847, this town was a part pf Talmadge.
Its settlement and early history are identified with that town.
At the date above given, the township commenced its separate
political existence. It was in no great hurry to be set off —
apparently better pleased with being a part of a large concern,
than the whole of a small one.
At its organization, which was at the house of Leonard
Roberts, the following were elected its first officers :
Silvius Waters, Supervisor; Ireneus Wellman, Clerk; Hiram
C. McDearman, Treasurer; Edson Fuller, John McLain,
Charles Dunning, Justices.
Who first made a beginning in Wright is matter of ques
tion. It was reached, not by pushing adventure, but in regular
progress — going a little beyond — a part of the early settlers,
feeling that they belonged to the settlements around Grand
Rapids ; and others that they belonged to Talmadge.

506 MEMORIALS OF THE
As far as known, Justin Walker was among the first, if not
the first, to locate in the town — he locating in the extreme
southeast corner. He came with a wife and six children in
1839. It was but just stepping over the line of the town of
Walker, which was pretty well occupied. They were then only
one and a-half miles from neighbors. Mr. Leland came about
the same time, and located northwest of Mr. Walker.
This Mr. Walker was killed at Grand Rapids, in 1863, by
the kick of a horse. His wife died in 1874.
Several settlers came in 1840, among them the brothers
Lilly (Benjamin and Timothy B.), who gave name to a part
of the town — the "Lilly Settlement;" James Wheeler and
John O'Brien.
It is not deemed jiecessary to trace the progress of settle
ment any further, as it has no historic value. Good land was
the attraction, and people went to occupy it, just on the out
skirts of civilization. To locate there was not an adventure;
and it was subject only to the inconveniences common to back
woods life. Its history is the development of one of the best
farming towns in the State. The snug little village of Berlin,
which at first clustered about a mill, is its business center.
The railroad passing through, puts it in easy communication
with the world. In thrift and wealth it will compare favorably
with any rural town. In fact, a man owning land there ought
to be poor, if he could not get rich from it. True, all have not;
as some are born to be poor; and others choose present pleasure
to future independence and respectability; and, as all experi
ence proves, there is luck, as well as skill in making a fortune.
But the general experience of mankind is, that if a young man
will push into the woods, secure a piece of land, such as is found
in Wright, go to work and develop it, keep out of debt, let
whisky and fashion alone, he may in a green old age, sit in his
front door and enjoy his meerschaum, while contemplating his
waving fields, his flocks, herds, and well-filled pocket-book.
His turkeys will gobble around him; his lambs bunt the sheep
in his yards, and his peaceful soul will be at rest. Who
wouldn't be an old man, after a long, laborious, useful and
honorable life? He looks on the laud he has redeemed from

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 507
the wilds; he looks on the children whom he hd,s raised, and
for whom he has denied himself; and the peaceful, cheering
thought steals over him, that those children are impatiently
waiting for his death, that they may enjoy the fruits of his
labors. But what has this to do with Wright? Perhaps noth
ing. But it must be a strange town if it has not some such
happy old men. But more commonly the man, when he finds
himself too old to work, gives up the. business and property to
his son, relying on filial love and duty for the quiet enjoyment
of an old age free from cares. He finds himself thrust into a
corner, wearing his son's cast-off clothes — " the old man ;"
and by and by when he is found dead — hanged or drowned — a
coroner's verdict is given, " Died by his own act. No cause
can be assigned." But we will come back to Wright.
In the northern part of the town is a German settlement of
about fifty families, and about as many more over the line, in
Chester. Most of these came in 1842. They were poor peo
ple, who came, not as a colony, but from different German
States, to make for themselves a home. They did not come
together, but settled, German near German. They are mostly
thriving farmers; have a church (Catholic), a resident priest,
and really form a German community. They were first set
tlers of that part of the town.
The Irish Catholics have a church West of Berlin, and the
Adventists a society in the north part. There is no need of
trying to hand down their history; for, if their doctrine is
true, we all shall soon be " where the dew falls not;" if not
time, but the idealization of fanaticism, it is charity on the
part of history to help oblivion.
A reference to the census reports will show that Wright had
some 500 inhabitants at the time it was set off; that its growth
has been steady, if we suppose an error in the returns of the
last State census, which shows a falling off. It is believed
there was an increase. The same is observable in several other
towns in the Grand River Valley — the State census less than
the preceding U. S. Probably the explanation is, that the
marshals, being paid per capita, made exaggerated returns in
1870.

508- MEMORIALS OF THE
CROCKERY.
The Indian name, " Nunica," means " pottery," or earthen
ware. At or near the mouth of the creek that bears the name,
considerable quantities of Indian pottery were found, which
caused it to be called " Crockery Creek," The Indian word
" Nunica," has been retained by the rising village and railroad
station. Judge Hathaway, who was all of his life one of the most
honored and prominent men of Ottawa county, and whose hold
on the respect and love of the people was such as only a supe
rior and good man can have, was the first white settler in the
town. He came from Claremont, Mass., in 1837, to Grand
Haven, where he lived until Nov., 1839, when he came to the
mouth of Crockery Creek. There he lived, monarch of all he
surveyed, for six years. During this six years he cultivated
the land some, made shingles, and cut logs. For shingles he
could get from $1 to $1.50 per M. Logs in the river, delivered
at the mill, would bring' from $2 to $2.50 per 1,000 feet.
The style in which Hathaway and his wife lived was primi
tive, bnt they had no Mrs. Grundys for neighbors, and there
fore they despised not its simplicity. Their log-house admit
ted the driving snow. For four months Mrs. H. saw not the
face of a white woman. They had Indians for neighbors, and
lived on terms of friendly intercourse with them. And, as
young couples uncorrupted by fashion often do, they looked
forward to a home and independence, as the result of their mu
tual labors and as the goal of their ambition. Young love is
trusting, and young hearts are hopeful ; and young hands can
grapple with difficulties, and young muscles cau endure labor.
As we pass the cabin in the wood; see the forest trees, laid by
the ax, around it; observe the young man tirelessly battling
with the forest, and every day proving himself a conqueror;
we — that is, your humble servant — respectfully make our best
bow, and grasp the horny hand of one we esteem a hero. He
is one of the men who make the world, and who create wealth,
which, when created, can easily make the soft-handed dandy,
who lives to spend, and who dies, food for oblivion.
Nor is that young wife in her log-cabin to be passed lightly

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 509
by. With love in her heart she has left her father's house, to
share the fortune and the labors of her chosen companion. She
don't ask your pity. She is happy, with her brave husband
and the dear little ones that give life to her humble cottage.
God bless you, young wife and helpmate; your hopes will be
realities. At the time Hathaway settled there were no roads of any
kind, the river was the only available way of connection. The
tangled fallen timber, the swamps, and the ravines rendered
traveling other than on foot nearly impossible. The land in
the township was mostly State land. Settlers generally located
on State scrip, which they bought for from 50 to 60 cents on
the dollar, paying nominally $1.25 per acre. The young State
of Michigan, trying to go too fast, got in debt, and not being
able to pay, her promises to pay got to be looked upon with
disfavor; they were property to get rid of. The State received
large grants of land from the United States. As a wise means
of restoring State credit, and as doing the best by her creditors
that she could, it was decreed that State script should be receiv
able at par for State lands, and that land should be sold at the
United States price. As will be seen from the article of John
Ball, a good deal of this State land was selected in Ottawa
county; and the way of paying for it facilitated its settlement.
Some of the land in Crockery was located on the 1812 soldiers'
bounty warrants. The region escaped the notice of the spec
ulators of 1836-7, and, when the land was bought, it was by
those who meant to occupy it.
Next after Hathaway, were three brothers Patchin, who
employed themselves getting in logs for Ringnette and Boldan.
Their job of logs was the first put into the Grand River, in
1838. This Boldan was a half-breed French Indian, who lived
with Charles Oakes at Grandville. From a shantying lum
berman, Manly Patchin became one of the earliest actual
settlers, as did James N. Patchin and another brother.
About 1840, Henry Dusenbury came in; soon after built a
mill up the creek. He afterwards went across the lake, and
to California, where he was killed.
William W. Kanouse came in 1-840 or 1841. He after
wards lived at Grand Haven.

510 MEMORIALS OF TOE
In 1844, Charles T. Gibbs and Charles Rose came together;
the next winter and spring,  Barringer,  Van Dyke,
Uriah Heliums', in 1846, Silas O. and Theron F. Hunter,
Ebenezer and Arza Bartholomew.
It was hard living for the first settlers of Crockery. Going
to mill was taking a canoe to Grand Rapids. To get sotne
money was to put in logs, or cut cord-wood. Mr. Gibbs cut
cord-wood near the river; carried it to the bank on a wheel
barrow; loaded it on a raft of logs, and sold it at Grand Ha
ven for one dollar per cord. Ingenuity was taxed to get
something to eat.
The Indians had possession along the river. Some fifty or
sixty of them lived at Battle Point, where they purchased
about seventy acres of land. The chief was named Magobie
(nicknamed Saginaw Coosco — Black Bird). He was a powerful
and hand-some man; generally called a good Indian. He lived
to a great age— was supposed to be near one hundred years old
when he died. His son, Ahmoos, was a man of influence
among them. At a later day, Joseph Cobmoosa bought
land there, and had a farm. He was drowned at Grand Ha
ven. One of their number— -old Shiawas — was present and
helped at the burning -of Buffalo. The Indians of this clan
were used at the battle on Lake Erie, and* afterwards would
go to Toronto for the annuity paid them by the British. They
did not consider themselves treated with much respect by those
they served in that battle. An Indian, wounded, was thrown
overboard; a white man was not.
A .good Indian— Nattawas— -lived near Hathaway, who
always supplied him with game. He was poisoned to death
at Grand Haven.
About three miles above Battle Point, was another com
pany of about one hundred. Their chief was Shiawas — a
proud, fine looking, keen and powerful man. He and his band
went away about 1839.
A few of the Indians are still at Battle Point.
The name "Battle Point " is suggestive of history. As it is
pointed out to the traveler on the river he naturally desires to
know what was the great event which left its record as a name

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 511
on the place. As he knows that no battles of our nation were
near the Grand River, he inevitably comes to the conclusion
that here the Indian braves met on the field of death. He
inquires for Indian legends of the bloody fray, but Indian tra
ditions have not come down. Yet is tliere not a dim tradition
among the earlier occupants of the region, that on this point,
Captain Kanouse and Henry Dusenbury, in desperate fight
with fists and words, contested their pre-emption claims. In
honor of that fight, the place has since been called " Battle
Point." When the anxious inquirer has heard thus much, he
is too disgusted to ask, who got whipped ; and should he ask,
no one could enlighten him. JAMESTOWN.
This town was set off from Georgetown and organized in
in 1849. At the time it appears there were only 13 voters in
the township. Their names were: Monsieur Brown, his son,
James M. Brown, Nathan W., Charles and David Richardson,
James Skeels, James and James M. Cronkright, George D.
aud Augustus Donnelly, S. L. Gitchell, Andrew Frieze, and
Andrew Frieze, Jr.
Of these were elected: Supervisor, James Skeels; Clerk,
James M. Brown; Treasurer, James M. Cronkright; Justices,
G. G. Donnelly, Charles Richardson, James Cronkright, Nathan
W. Richardson.
Raised $125 for contingent expenses.
The first settlers were the Cronkrights, father and son, who
entered in 1843. In 1844, came Monsieur Brown and his son ;
S. L. Gitchel, Andrew Frieze, Nathan and Charles Richardson
and perhaps, one or two others.
The pioneer Cronkright is still resident. Monsieur Brown
died in Wyoming in 1865.
Jamestown was sought for its soil alone, being perhaps the
best agricultural township in Ottawa county. It probably
would not have been reached in the course of settlement as
soon as it was, had it not been for the fact that the really desi
rable lands nearer the river had been taken by speculators.
The early settler must have a small head and retreating

512 MEMORIALS OF THE
forehead, if he does not look out for the best land. After set
tlement has given value to timber, and made location desira
ble, it will do to take land of inferior, or even poor quality.
But when the best timber is a nuisance to be got rid of, when
the man has to forego all the comforts and appliances of civil-
zation, and do that work which is to give value to the region
around, he cannot afford to take poor land. Besides, if he has
common sense, he will realize that in future time that first
rate land makes the first rate farm, and that the owner of an
A No. 1 farm, with his sleek cattle, and his dozen stout boys
and rosy .girls around him, is about as independent a nabob as
the country affords. If he is not " monarch of all he surveys,"
he is monarch of broad acres that he has redeemed from
savage wilderness, and he has a right to feel himself a noble
man. The novelist, Cooper, with his world-wide reputation,
prided himself on being the owner of a farm. " There is no
property," said he to the writer, " that is so respectable to own,
as a farm." Cooper, was right. To be the exclusive owner of
a piece of God's earth has dignity in it, especially if it has
that fertile soil, that will roll up the bank account. But after
all there is not much dignity in being the owner of poor land.
It savors too much of poverty and its twin sister — humility.
" I haven't but an acre of it, and am not so poor as you think
I am," was the answer of a Pennsylvanian to the man who
told him, "the more such land a man had the poorer he was."
But coming back to the town. The early settlers were
obliged to bring their provisions, etc., on their backs from
Grandville, or on hand-sleds, on account of the swamps. There
were plenty of deer, and other game abounded. So abundant
were deer, that one man (a Mr. Hermit) killed 86 in one
winter. They had their diversions, thair gala-days being " logging
bees " and log house raisings. A logging bee is the glory of
the new settler. Five or ten acres have been chopped and
burned. Invitations are sent to all, far and near. They come,
the sturdy yeomen, with their teams; and the bonny lasses
come, too. Emulous to outdo each other, they go at the logs
and brush with a " Hip! hurrah! " and log heaps arise like the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 513
work of magic. The "mysterious" circulates; and all feel
the inspiring effect of "mystery." Long before night the
field is cleared; and all adjourn to the house where bright eyes
are ready to greet them, where the pigs are smoking on the
table, and the abounding et ceteras of rustic good cheer. The
" fun " in the field has given an appetite that soon sweeps the
board. And then comes the good time of social, hilarity, which
we, poor slaves of etiquette, know nothing of. Why, there is
more enjoyment in one logging bee than, in twenty fancy balls,
or fashionable parties- — enjoyment higher, purer, and really
more desirable. There is soul in it, and people love to realize
that they have a soul.
No school was in the town until the summer of 1851. The
first was kept by Miss Elizabeth Bates.
The pioneer preacher was Elder A. B.Toms, a Free Will
Baptist. But one church edifice has been built in the town — that of
the Dutch Reformed. The Free Will Baptists, the Methodists
and the Disciples have organizations, but no buildings.
In the winter of 1873-4, an event occurred over which a
mystery still hangs: the disappearance of the town treasurer,
C. C. Pratt. Whether he was murdered, or ran away, is mat
ter of opinion.
Like most new rural towns, Jamestown has left little for
record. Probably the most important event is putting the
drain through the long swamp, a part of which is in that
town. This is revealing the invaluable worth of those detested
lands. The Drain Commissioner has opened a mine of wealth.
It is now for the people to work it. It is found that these
drained swamps yield fabulous crops, especially of onions.
All experience so far demonstrates that mud (not peat) swamps
are land in its perfection ; and in time many will be the bene
dictions showered on the Drain Commissioner, whose assess
ments are apt to be met by many a grumbling curse. Why,
man, your swamp with a good ditch through it, is worth five
times as much, acre by acre, as your dry land. It has for
ages been- the reservoir of fertilizing "matter, drawn from the
land around ; and is an inexhaustible region — a mine of fer-
33

514 MEMORIALS OF THE
tility. Happy is its lucky owner. Oh! I wish I owned some
of it! TALMADGE.
Talmadge was constituted a town by act of Legislature, in
1838, and consisted of T. 7 and 8 N., R. 13 W. The first
meeting was at the house of Wm. Stoddard, April 2d, 1838.
At the organization of the town, there were elected :
Bethuel Church, Supervisor; Israel V. Harris, Clerk; Abram
Hatch, Silas G. Harris, Ira H. Maxfield, Alonzo D. Yeomans,
Justices. ,
The record does not show the number of voters, but from
them the following names are gleaned:
Edward Dalton, Daniel Angell, Jotham Baxter, Allen Stod
dard, Thomas B; Woodbury, Harrison Hunter.
The vicicjitudes, as it regards size, through which Talmadge
has passed, are:
In 1839, the town was enlarged by annexing to itT. 7 and
8, R. 14 W.
Since then, by the organization of new towns, and the gen
eral arrangement of territory so that the river shall divide Ho
town, the present shape and size of the town was reached in
1847. By common consent, A. D. Yeomans and Allen Stoddard
were the first that settled in Talmadge. They came in 1835.
The stay of Yeomans was short. He sold out in 1838, to H.
& Z. Steele, went to Illinois, and died. Stoddard lived the
first winter in an Indian wigwam.
Ira H. Maxfield came from Clinton county, N. Y., in Feb.,
1836. He was a farmer in Talmadge until his death, in 1874.
He was a valued citizen; able, patriotic and honorable.
Harlow T. Judson came from Canada in 1836, and settled in
Talmadge. He died in 1870.
The other accessions of 1836, as nigh as ascertained, were:
Bethuel Church, Andrew Dalton, Edward Dalton, John
Baxter, Victor Harris (Jan.), Lemuel Peake (Jan., '36), Lewis
D. Burcli, Jotham Baxter, T. B. Woodbiiry, Daniel Angell,
(fall of '36).

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 515
In 1837: Damon Hatch, John C. Davis;— — Bromley, Har
ry Steele, Zina Steele.
The gleanings of the early history of the town are meager;
there is little but adventures with wild beasts, among which
Mr, Angell made himself a terror, subsisting for many years
upon their destruction. Not counting deer, squirrels, bears,
muskrats and other minor game, he killed seventy wolves, one
of which was a big black one, and one a loup-cervier.
Mr. A., one night, out looking for his cattle, was startled by
the cry of a panther near him. He did not see the beast. At
that time it was known that two panthers were around, one of
which was killed by a man near Crockery Creek, by a well
directed ball planted between his eyes. The man startled the
panther, who, before determining whether to charge or retreat,
placed his paws on a log and looked at the hunter, winking
first one eye and then the other, and gracefully swinging his
caudal elongation. The man, ejaculating one prayer to the
devil, ground out the words between his teeth, "You impudent
cuss!" and fired. Mr. Panther sprang up, turned morr sum
mersets than were ever witnessed in a circus; and, in fact,
acted as though he was mad, or at least half crazy. Calming
himself by degrees, he lay down and died, apparently with
quiet, resignation.
This pair of panthers have been traped from Clinton county
to Ottawa; where, one being killed, the other was seen no
more. It is not known as they did any harm. They scar-ed
some people; and in Talmadge one of them lost his life be
cause he must stop and look, instead of promptly acting. • Let
all wild beasts learn wisdom ; and when they meet a man with
a gun, charge or retreat, and that iustantly.
Soon after the first settlement of the place (for cities were
then wonderfully popular), Mr. T. B. Woodbury having a half-
section of land admirable for a city, laid out eighty acres of it.
The fate of this city was not that of countless others, platted
and mapped at about the same time. It became a village, is
now a village, and a pretty village, .too. Mr. Woodbury in
one thing: showed that he was a man of taste, a gentleman and
a scholar. He run through the village a wide avenue, which
is, at the same time, street and park.

:..

516 MEMORIALS OF THE
But he, the originator of the village, reaped no benefit from
it. He sold out, put his property into a grist-mill; that was
burned, and he was destitute. He now lives near Fruitport.
The place became known as " Steele's Landing," afterwards
as " Middleville," until in 1857, its name was changed by the
Legislature to " Lamont." An interesting tradition has been
handed down to the present time, that the people of the place
were warm in their admiration of the placid dignity of A.
Lamont Chubb, of Grand Rapids. He had, in connection
with his father, opened a store for the sale of agricultural im
plements. They had seen in front of his store a beautiful
road-scraper. It was just the thing they wanted. They feasted
their eyes upon it; they coveted it. The village trustees
determined in solemn council to buy it, whenlo! the treasury
was empty, not a nickel tliere. Still they must have that scraper,
even if it cost them the good name of Middleville. Chubb
was sounded, and it appeared that thongh he valued the scraper
at its full worth, he valued immortality more. The historian '
approves his choice, and will himself add a chain to the
scraper when any rising village will immortalize Ais name, by
making it theirs. But won't they, by-and-by, sell their name

again

%

Having written so much,we sought an interview with Chubb,
and having congratulated him on his cheap immortality, he,
in his quiet way, with his usual placid smile and sly delibera
tion, remarked: " Are-you-not-a-little-in-error-in-your-chro-
nology ? Was - not - the - naming - before - the - giving - of- the-
scraper?" The wind was out of our sails. We had armed
ourselves with scraper and chain, and had been looking for the
village, who for it would give us immortality. What was our
chagrin when we learned that these names were given in com
pliment to worth, and were not on sale. We've a scraper and
chain to sell cheap. We'd like to see part of our money back
again. The first school in the town was kept by Mrs. Harrison
Hunter, in a log house, built by Hunter. Among the flrst
teachers was Mr. Barry, who is still a resident, and who is
widely known as a logical grammarian.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 517
The first house built as a school-house is standing still, de
graded into a barn and catch-all. It stands east of the brick
church. The town was named in compliment to Gen. Talmadge, of
Dutchess county, N. Y.
ROMANCE IN OLD AGE.
Among the earliest settlers at Lamont, as many of the old
settlers in this locality will remember, were Dan Angell and
wife, who went there in 1837. They had lived, with the usual
happiness and trials, the usual health and illness that befall
humanity, iu Lamont, till the 5th of Nov., 1875, when Mrs.
Angell died. Her death affected Mr. Angell very much — he
loved his wife with a fervor and fidelity which many of the
latter-day people cannot realize or understand, and he felt cer
tain he could not long survive her loss. He insisted that he
was going to die soon, and that her body should be kept, so
that he might be buried at the same time in the same grave
with her. His request was granted, and he did die on the
19th, just two weeks after, and both were buried on the 21st
.in the same grave. Such romance is not often found in these
latter days. FRUITPORT.
Setting off from the Grand River near its mouth, is a body
of water, formerly known as the Bayou, but more recently as
Spring Lake. It is an uncommonly beautiful sheet of water,
with high shores, and every surrounding to make.it one of the
loveliest spots in Michigan. Until 1866, it was unappreciated
and considered only in its relation to the lumber business.
The soil around is a light, sandy loam, resting on clay. The
timber was a heavy growth of pine, hemlock, ash, etc. The
land, stripped of its timber, was considered nearly valueless,
as land of deep sand is generally found to be, and was classed
with the "pine barrens," which entail poverty on their unfor
tunate owner.
In the spring of 1866, Captain E. L. Craw, studying the
region around Spring Lake, came to the conclusion that it had
rare capacities, and purchased a tract of several hundred acres

518 . MEMORIALS OF THE
on the eastern bank, and immediatelyisetout some 30 acres of
peach trees. The result exceeded his highest expectations. The
land was found to be admirably adapted to the growth of that
fruit and the grape. This gave rise to a good deal of the spirit
of speculation. The land, underlaid with clay, that had. a real
value, gave a high nominal value to the sandy soils in general.
Fortunes were made by raising peaches, and very many,
catching the spirit, saw mines of wealth in " fruit lands."
Those who supposed Spent pine lands near the lake shore were
necessarily " fruit lands," found themselves mistaken,, and
denounced the whole as a humbug. But the fact was patent,
that on the shore of Spring Lake, the land was invaluable for
fruit. The business increased with fine results on the whole.
The crops- were almost unfailing until the dread winter of 1874-
5, which caused the faces of the peach-growers to assume a
lugubrious elongation. The cold of that winter killed nearly
all. But as such a winter had never come before, it was
rational to suppose it never would again ; and people are act
ing on that assumption.
The village of Fruitport was laid out at the head of the lake
in 1868. In the spring of 1869, the foundation was laid for
a hotel, intended to be a great concern. In 1871, a well was
sunk, which resulted in a supply of mineral waters, which soon
made the place famous for its waters. The Pomona House was.
opened in July, 1871; and was crowded until the close, of the
season. In 1870, the property passed into the hands of a company,
The Fruitport Magnetic and Sulphur Springs Company, with
a capital of half a million dollars. The- Pomona House has
been twice burned down, and is now a ruin. The waters of
this place, Spring Lake and Grand Haven, have been for some
years a great attraction; and the numerous visitors claim that
they are unsurpassed as curative agents.
Great hopes are entertained as to the future of Fruitport.
OTTAWA COUNTY.
AS GLEANED PKOM THE COUNTY RECORDS.
The county was organized by act of the Legislature, .approved December
21,1837; and at the ensuing township meetings of, the . three townships
which comprised the county, the following county officers were elected:

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 519
• Tiniothy Eastman, Clerk; ClarkB. Albee, Register of Deeds; Edmund H.
Badger, Judge of Probate;. Henry Pennoyer, Sheriff; Supervisors, Bethuel
Church, Talmadge; William Hathaway, Ottawa; Erastus Wilcox, Muskegon.
The first meeting of the supervisors was held at the house of Nathan
Troop, on the 112h day of April, 1838. Present: Erastus Wilcox and Wm.
Hathaway. Organized by appointing E.Wilcox, Chairman, and Timothy
Eastman, Clerk.
Resolved, That the courts of the county be held at the village of, Grand
Haven, until further ordered.
The hoard of two supervisors then adjourned.
• The next meeting was at Troop's house, on the 8tli of May.
Business: Extending the time for making up the assessment rolls, and
appointing Timothy Eastman to locate a quarter-section of land for the use
ofthe county, in accordance with the, provisions of the Act of the Territorial
Legislature, approved July 25th, 1836. He was to be accompanied by one
or more of the supervisors.
The Register of Deeds was directed to procure suitable books
- At the annual meeting of the supervisors, held at the house of Wm. Hath
away, the first Tuesday in October, there were present Church and Hathaway
—Church in the chair.
• Adjourned two weeks. At the adjourned meeting, Oct. 1,6th, .present,
Church and Hathaway.
Permission was given to Ed. H. Macy to keep a ferry across Black River
Lake two years.
Accounts were allowed to the amount of $423.16, and the Board assessed
for town and expenses: Talmadge, $48.50; Ottawa, $631.34; Muskegon,
$59.09. At this time a new order of things was inaugurated— the board of .Super
visors being superseded by county commissioners.
The Commissioners elected were Bethuel Church and Saunders Coates.
They held their first meeting Dec. 6th, 18 18. W. Hathaway, Secretary.
[It may here be stated that an important part of the business of the county
was either not recorded, or the record, has been lost. No record of the elec
tions is found; and what is here given is either from the records of the super
visors and commissioners, or from the memory of individuals.]
Timothy Eastman is mentioned as being Judge of Probate, November
16th, 1839.
March 24th, 1840, provision is made for a more formal record of the pro
ceedings of the Board of Supervisors, and the succeeding board of. County
Commissioners. •-. On, the assessment rolls appear the towns of Ottawa, Georgetown, Tal
madge, Norton and Muskegon— five towns.
Assessed value of the cpunty, $352,372.57.
In 1842, George L. Norton, Benjamin Hopkins and C. B. Albee were Coun-
ty-Com-misaioners. April 1st, 1842, the Board of Commissioners, adjourned sine die; that is,
forever. The record of the first meeting of the reinstated Board of Supervisors,

520 MEMORIALS OF THE
bears date July 4th, 1842. They organized by appointing Benjamin Hop
kins chairman. But there is no record who were the supervisors. The same
five towns, were represented.
In 1845, six towns are represented, Polkton then appearing.
In 1846, at a not full board, C. B. Albee was directed to build a jail, and
to draw on the county for $50, and contingently for $50 more; that is, if the
absent supervisors approved in writing; and $100 was subscribed. The
absent supervisors approved.
In 1847, Wright appears, making seven towns.
In 1848, White River and Chester — nine towns.
In 1849, Holland, Jamestown, Crockery, Allendale, Spring Lake, and Ra
venna (White River disappears) — fourteen towns.
In 1851, White River reappears.
In 1852, Casnovia; 1854, Blendon; 1856, Robinson; 1857, Olive.
In June, 1851, by the supervisors, the township of Zeeland is set off from
Holland, and the first township meeting directed to be held at the church in
the 'village of Zeeland, July 14th, 1851.
" At the same meeting, the S. % of T. 5, N. 15 W. was attached to Spring
Lake. Valuation, $666,869.09.
Oct. 12th, 1852, Casnovia was set off from Chester, as a separate town
ship; the first township meeting to be held at the house of Alexander Burdick,
the first Monday in April, 1873.
Ottawa county had jurisdiction over all territory north of it. In 1853; the
counties of Oceana, Mason and Manistee are complained of, as not paying
taxes; and a petition for proper powers to assess and collect taxes in the dis
trict was made to the Legislature, and special mantion is made of White
River, in the county of Oceana.
Valuation, $1,404,529.66.
In 1854, the township of Blendon was organized — set off from Allendale;
first meeting at the house of Booth Perry, the first Monday in April, 1857.
In January, 1856, Robinson was set off from Ottawa; first meeting at the
house of Ira Robinson, the first Monday in April. ¦ ¦
Jan. 6th, 1857, the township of Olive was set off from Ottawa; first meet
ing at the house of Wm. J. Bakker, the 1st Monday in April.
The records give evidence of a good deal of interest in the location of the
county seat; various places desiring it; especially Eastmanville and Ottawa
centers. •
At the January session, 1857, the Board voted to locate the county seat at
Eastmanville, and that the question be submitted to the people. In 1858,
by a two-thirds vote, they located it (so far as their vote would do it) at
Ottawa Center. In October, its rejection by the people is recorded.,-
In 1859, the supervisors voted to petition the Legislature to organize the
county of Muskegon. In accordance with that petition, Muskegon county
and all northern dependencies were set off, leaving Ottawa as now. The
business between the two counties was amicably arranged.
The first circuit court for the county was. hold at Grand Haven, May 28th,
1839; Charles W. Whipple was the presiding judge, and Timothy Eastman
and Jonathan H. Ford, associate judges. No jury was impaneled.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 521
MUSKEGON COUNTY.
FROM THE RECORDS.
The first, a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors, was held July
18th, 1859, at the office of H. H. Holt. No quorum present. Adjourned to
meet at Wheeler & Shuginin's Hall, at 2 o'clock the same day.
Townships represented — Muskegon, by E. W. Merrill; Norton, by Ira C.
Smith; Casnovia, by Nathan Whitney.
Absent— Supervisors of Ravenna and White River.
At this meeting the Township of Eggelson was set off from Muskegon;
the first meeting to be held at the house of Wm. Sturdifant. The town was
named in compliment to Adna Eggelson, an early settler, county surveyor,
and supervisor until 1874, the time of his death. The next day Ravenna
was represented by Thomas D. Smith.
Measures were, taken to build a jail, with the proviso that it be done with
out expense to the county.
At the January session, 1860, the Township of Moorland was organized;
the first town meeting to be at the school-house near Wm. C. Bliss. » .
The salaries allowed the county officers were : County Clerk, $100; County
Treasurer, $50; Prosecuting Attorney, $150.
In 1860, nine towns were represented. White River, Oceana, Dalton,
Muskegon, Eggelson, Ravenna, Moorland, Casnovia, and Norton.
The supervisors voted to petition the Legislature to restore Muskegon
county to Ottawa.
In 1861 Cedar Creek appearing by its supervisor — 10 towns; 1865, Blue
Lake and Laketon.
In 1865, the towns of Oceana and Dalton were consolidated, and then
divided into three towns— Oceana, Blue Lake and Dalton.
Oceana— 12 N., 17 W., and that part of 11 N., 17 W., lying north of
White Lake. The first meeting at the school-house in the village of Meats.
Blue Lake— T. 12, N. 16 W. First town meeting at the house of A. E.
Kingsley, April 3d.
Dalton— AU that part of 11 N., 17 W., south of White Lake, and T. 11,
16 W. First meeting at the school-house on Sec. 13. T. 11, N. 17 W.
Fruitport was Lovell; changed name in 1870, by Legislature.
Montague was part of Oceana until 1874.
Hoi ton was constituted a town, and named in honor of the Hon. H. H.
Holt, in 1870. .
The court house was built in 1869-70, and was first occupied in August, 1870.
The cost was $50,000.
Fruitland was constituted a town in 1870 — was taken from the west part
of Dalton.
Whitehall was organized in 1874, having been before a part of Oceana.
Oceana ceased to exist in 1874; its territory being divided into the two
towns. Montague and Whitehall.
In its early history Muskegon is identified with Ottawa, of which it formed
an integral part until 1859, when, upon the petition of the board of supervi
sors of Ottawa county, the Legislature constituted Muskegon a county. It

522 MEMORIALS OF THE
consisted then of five organized townships: Muskegon, Norton, Casnovia,
White River and Ravenna.
Muskegon, Casnovia and Revenna were properly towns; the rest tempo
rarily organized as such. Casnovia, Chester and Ravenna were agricultural
towns — their affinities rather with Kent than Ottawa.
Muskegon came into notice as a lumbering point, and few of, those who
made investments there in early years, thought of it as good for any
thing else. As late as 1860, the houses and shops were mere shelters; few
making any pretensions to elegance or permanency. The hotels were places
where the up-river- teams could be fed. Muskegon was not thought of or
known except- as a place for making and shipping lumber. Two-thirds of
its territory was considered nnfit for agricultural purposes. Different is the
feeling at the present day., , The people feel that they have a future, as well
as a present. They do not, as formerly, look upon the sure destruction of
the pine as dooming the region to be an uninhabited blackberry field, or an
idle wild. Our word "Fruit " is there magical.
HOMICIDE OASES IN OTTAWA COUNTY.
- The following are all the cases of homicide which have come before the
courts in the county. The information is kindly furnished by the prosecuting
attorney, A. C. Adsit, Esq.
Oct. 11th, 1855, Jorclon Turpin was indicted for. the murder of a man
by the name of Fox. in the town of Spring Lake. His trial was commenced
on the 23d of October, and lasted four days. He was found guilty, and re
ceived a hfe sentence. He died in prison.
In 1856, Ebenezer Spencer was tried for murder; found guilty of man
slaughter, and sent to prison for three years.
A case of uncommon interest occurred in 1875. On the 5th of June,
1875, one Wilson Pound, an eccentric old bachelor, residing- in North Hol:
-land, in a httle cabin, was missing Under circumstances that excited neigh
borhood suspicion, which was directed towards John H. Fuller, Fuller's son,
and John S. Watson, who hved near neighbors. The prosecuting attorney
was informed of the facts, as far as known, and of the suspicions. The pros
ecuting attorney and sheriff went directly to Holland, and after three days'
investigation,. came to the conclusion that Pound had been murdered, and
that John H. Fuller, Melvin C. Fuller and John S. Watson, must have been
.implicated, all of whom had disappeared.
In the meantime Watson, conscience-stricken, and no longer able. to retain
the dreadful secret — and not knowing that the sheriff was on his track — came
to Grand Haven, and proceeding to the office of the prosecuting attorney,
gave himself into the custody of the law; confessed a knowledge of the
crime; indicating the vicinity ofthe spot where the murdered remains of
Wilson Pound lay concealed. Mr. Adsit, with Watson in charge, immedi
ately went to Holland, and informed the sheriff, who soon succeeded in ar
resting John H. Fuller. Under the direction of Watson,. the body of Pound
was discovered, staked down in the mud and water, and covered with weeds
and turf, in a marsh. at the head of the bay, about four miles from. Holland
city.. The son was.arxested a few days afterwards.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 523
¦ At the October term, the father and son were tried for ,^ae murder. The
young man was not convicted ; , his father was sent, to prison for life. , Wat
son was used as State's evidence, and was, released after being, in jail, about
four months.. The trial was the most exciting that Ottawa county has ever
had, and lasted six days.
The probable motive of • the murder was to prevent Pound from being a
witness against the Fullers, who were charged with displacing the track of
the railroad.
On that charge, the young Fuller was afterwards twice tried, eaeh time
escaping conviction, by one dissenting juryman. He stands before the pub
lic, a free, but branded man. Guilty or innocent, he has a heavy load to bear;
that is, if he has a sentient soul.
robinson's proclamation.
The following, too good to be, lout, is taken frQni the Grand Haven Herald:
¦ In the spring of 1838, the Grand Haven Company had about 15,000 logs
in rafts run into the baypu, staked by the shore and called safe by all. But
heavy winds sent the logs adrift and the whole marsh was covered with them.
The fact was reported to Mr. Robinson and he blamed the agent of the
company somewhat, for the want of attention to the proper securing, of the
rafts, nor could he be made to. believe that the winds and.current were such
as to break all fastenings. At the request of the agent.of the company (W.
M. Ferry) he remained at Grand Haven a few days* and while there one Sab*
bath morning, a recurrence of wind and current came, and the logs with
acres of marsh and weeds rushed to and fro like a maelstrom.
Mr. Robinson called out the men and with boats caught and towed to the
shore many logs, which he fastened with ropes and stakes. The work had
hardly been. accomplished and Robinson was viewing it with satisfaction,
When the returning tide .caught the logs and again scattered them, against
all efforts made by himself and men.
Robinson looked mad. He called to " Uncle Mike " td get out his oxen,
and with two yoke he had hauled up on the shore three large logs, and then
told the teamster to put up the cattle. To the inquiry " what are you going
to do with the three logs you aave secured?" he replied. "I shall put
them in Mr. Ferry's cellar and see if I can keep them still there."
That evening, after quite a chat.over the occurrences of the day,. Mr. R.
turned to his office dusk, and in a very short time laid down his pen and
handed me the accompanying paper, which I have always carefully preserved.
I think it will be of interest to all old citizens of Grand Haven.
T. W. White.
PROCLAMATION AHD BLOCKADE.
Whereas, There is a bayou situate at Grand Haven (a little speck in the
west at the mouth of Grand River of Lake Michigan), said bayou being
adjacent to a steam saw-mill now building and nearly completed by the
Grand Haven Steam Mill Company.
' And whereas, sundry saw logs: and -pieces of hewn timber were lodged in
said bayou for sate keeping, and whereas, for several months past it has been

524 MEMORIALS OF THE
the universal and continual practice of said saw logs and timber to take
French leave and desert from said bayou, and transport themselves into Lake
Michigan, and scattering themselves along the coast thereof, without con
sulting the interest of the owners of said property, and much to their annoy
ance, inconvenience and damage.
And whereas, in the course of. human events it sometimes becomes neces
sary for the public good and safety as well as peace and repose of individuals
to lay heavy hand 011 certain outrageous movements and aggressions, and
.severely rebuke and punish the perpetrators and aggressors, and in order to
restrain and prevent the repetition of those things, powerful means are justi
fiable in many cases.
And whereas, moderate and ordinary means have altogether failed to pro
duce the desired effect in constraining said logs and timber in their trouble
some and unpardonable movements,
Now, therefore, know ye all whom it may concern, That by the power
vested in me and the pile-driver, and men which have been steadily employed
in and about said bayou for some considerable time past, I do hereby declare
said bayou in a state of rigid blockade, and I do interdict and prohibit all
saw logs and timber now lying in and about said bayou' from passing or
attempting to pass the line of forces under my charge, now lying at anchor
or move across said bayou near the mouth thereof, and I do further order
' and direct that as soon as the ice shall be dissolved in said bayou, or be
removed out of the way, that said logs and timber immediately remove from
their strongholds in said bayou, where they are now seated and come forth
with directly into the boom prepared to receive them, near the steam mill
above spoken of, there to be dealt with as may seem most to the interest of
xtheir proprietors or owners — hereby pledging myself that in case of a strict
and due obedience to the above orders no more punishment shall be infflicted
on any log than to slit it up in the ordinary way into lumber fit for market.
And I do further order and direct that no undue influnce be made use of,
by force or secretion, or in any other way whatever, to prevent the due sub
mission of said logs and timber as aforesaid, either by marsh grass, flags,
cat-tails, wild-rice, or by fioatings claims, (many of which have been ex
tremely active in said bayou during the high winds of last autumn), or by any
seaweed or other vegetable substance whatever, but that they immediately
uncover and relinquish said logs, that they may pop out from behind th'em,
and immediately proceed to their place of destination as above directed.
And I do further hereby interdict all connection and intercourse between
said logs and timbers and the amphibious powers, to wit: such as bull-frogs,
tad-poles, turtles, terrapins, muscles and crawfish, and I do most especially
prohibit said bull-frogs from clambering up said logs (much to the injury of
their toe-nails), and then bellowing to the annoyance of the good citizens of
Grand Haven and its visitors. I also expressly forbid turtles and terrapins
from mounting said logs, and using them as a convenient place for making
love in the sunshine by winking in each others faces; but that all and every
one of the above named powers and animals desist from such evil practices,
and permit said logs and timber to float, along peaceably and unmolested
into the boom as above directed.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 525
Done in the office of the Bayou, on board the Pile Driver scow, this 25th
day of February, A. D. 1838, and sealed with the hammer thereof .
Rix Robinson, (l. s.]
Commander in Chief of all the forces in said bayou.
T. W. White, [l. s.]
Second in command, etc., etc., etc.
John Bro abridge, [l. e.]
Admiral and Commander onboard the ship " Thump-Hard."
THE FIRST INDIAN TRADER.
We are indebted to the Hon. Wm. M. Ferry for the following short sketch
of Pierre Constant, the first Indian Trader of Ottawa county:
" The first trader who located in what was Ottawa county — then embracing
Muskegon county— was Pierre Constant, a Frenohman, of the type of that
advance guard of pioneers— Marquette, LaSalle, Joliet and Tonti— who, two
hundred years before, mvaded and brought to the world the great Northwest.
He was of the chevalier order of men— brave, honorable and undaunted;
amid all dangers. In 1810, he engaged with the British Fur Company, then
having a depot at Mackinaw, as a trader; and with his supply of merchan
dise coasted along the shore of Lake Michigan, and established a trading
post on Grand River, near what is now called Charleston; and another on the ,
banks of Muskegon Lake. He married an Indian woman of remarkable
beauty and intelligence, by whom six children were bora to him. Once a
year, he, with his family and the results of his venture in furs and peltries,
coasted down Lakes Michigan and Huron to Penatauquashin, the Indian
depot for Upper Canada.
"The oldest of this family was a daughter, who inherited her mother's
beauty, as well as the high qualities of the mind of the father; and this
daughter, Louisa Constant, or "Lisette," as she was called, became her
father's clerk when she was twelve years old; and was as well known for her
wonderful faculties for business as she was for her personal attractions. In
1828, when she was seventeen years old, her father died. She closed up his
business with the British Fur Company, and engaged with the American Fur
Company, at Mackinaw, receiving from them a large supply of merchan
dise; and for six years conducted the most successful trading establishment
in the Northwest. She married Wm. Lasley, of Muskegon, also an Indian
trader; and now, an aged widow, resides in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Her son,
Henry S. Lasley, is one of the prominent merchants of Montague, Muskegon
conrity." MASON LUMBERING CO. SALT WELL, AT MUSKEGON.
This company, with the view of testing the questions of finding salt or
petroleum, sunk a well near the mill in Muskegon to the depth of 2,627 feet.
The results were unsatisfactory, and they have only a deep hole to show for
the'expense they have incurred. A nearly saturated brine was obtained, but
not in quantity to warrant the erection of works for the manufacture of salt.
Petroleum in insignificant quantity was also obtained.
From the following will be seen the character of the strata passed through:

526 MEMORIALS OF THE WHOLE DEPTH. Feet,,
60 feet sand.   
150 feet clay 
15 feet hard pan..........    225
400 feet sand and shale 
About 100 feet ' gray limestone ' and shale} the limestone light
color; balance dark gray liuiestone.  625
775 feet blue shale with loosened soft streaks of same material  1,400
At the depth of 1,225 feet, petroleum and gas showed themselves.
150 feet solid blue shale.  1,550
150 feet solid red shale  ;  ". 1,700
300 feet lime rock and shale  2,000
50 feet salt-bearing rock, with streaks of sand from 1 to 4 feet thick. . 2,050
50 feet light colored lime rock and' shale  2,100
250 feet dark colored lime rock:  2,350
50 feet lime and gypsum, gypsum and lime in strata from 4 to 6 feet. 2,400
At this depth the boring was, suspended; but artel- some years
was resumed, penetrating- 227 feet further. For 145 feet
through alternating , lime and gypsum.- "The remainder was.
through constantly changing rock, ending in ' dark lime rock, i
loose and porous.... ...  '  2,627
It is bo be regretted that- a particular account of the strata was not -pre
served. Imperfect as the record is, it has its scientific value.
HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.
The. imperfections of the harbors on the lakes was the great drawnback to
Lake Commerce. The great difficulty was the obstruction of the entrances
by constantly shifting and varying sand-bars. To-day the entrance might
be good, but a storm on the lake might bar the entrance to-morrow. The
United States, wisely appreciating. the importance of good harbors on the
lakes, has been liberal in their construction and improvement. As a history
of the improvements in this region, the writer has chosen to transfer to this
work the reports published by authority of the Government, and furnished
to the Government by S. M. Mansfield,- Captain of Engineers. For the
report we are under obligations to S.C Mower, Assistant Engineer.
MUSKEGON HARBOR, MICHIGAN,
Original plan; It was recommended that an extension of the piers be
tnade in a line of direction parallel to the inner face of south pier (south
61 deg: 31 min» west), commencing at the present extremities, until a depth
of 17 feet is reached*
Requiring 700 feet of pier-work; estimated cost, $58;450,
1867 and 1868.— During the year 384 feet of pier was built (12 cribs), work
having commenced in July, 1867.
1868 and 1869. —During the year two cribs, 32 feet each, were placed in
extension of the north, and one in extension of the south piers, and super
structure on all completed.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 527
1S69 and 1870.— The north pier was extended 320 feet, and south pier
reballasted, and repairs to breach between east end of south pier, and old
slab-pier repaired.
1870 and 1871.— The superstructure over cribs sunk in 1869 was finished,
and one crib, 32 feet square/placed as pier-head on north pier, and the north
and, south piers repaired; the south pier reballasted.
Appropriated March 3, 1871, $15,000.
1871 and 1872.— The construction of a pier-head, 32 feet square, with su
perstructure over it, and the two cribs sunk in 1869-70, left the north pier
complete! A breach through slab-pier, where it joined south Government
pier, was closed with 34 feet pile-pier.
Appropriated June 10, 1872, $10,000i
1872 and 1873.— Under contract with Bird & Mickle the superstructure of
north pier-head was re-built in October, 1872. During fiscal year there ' was
accomplishecl'under this contract: Piling, two rows, complete, for 250 feet
south pier: walling and binder on channel row, and first course of timber
complete for 150 feet of pier.
1873 and 1874.— The work under contract with Bird & Mickle was com
pleted September 30, 1873, by converting old slab-piers into pile-piers, 350
feet on south and 250 feet on north side of channel, with necessary repairs.
Statement of vessels entered and cleared at Muskegon Harbor during the year
1876.
Entered: number, 2,479; tonnage, 460,386; men, 19,700.
Cleared : number, 2,570; tonnage, 462,443; men, 20,001.
An increase of about 30,000 tons over the last year.
GRAND HAVEN HARBOR, MICHIGAN.
Appropriated in 1852, $20,000, as per copy of letter to Senator Ferry,' dated
Office Chief of Engineers, June 23, 1873. As given in tabular statement
accompanying report of Chief of Engineers, 1866, $2,000.
Plan of improvement, (Golonel Graham, 1857) :
To defend the concave bend in the southern shore of the river below the
town by a close-piling, and to build two parallel piers out into the lake in
prolongation of the river channel; the south pief by cribs for 600 feet.
Appropriated June 23, 1866, $65;000.
Of this amount, $11,241.22 was expended in repairing 309 feet of pile-pier
on south side (built by railroad company in 1857).
1866 and 1867.— Work commenced in June, 1867. Six cribs, each 32 feet,
were placed in extension of- south pier, and 500 feet close-piling constructed.
Appropriated -March 3; 1867, $40,000-.
1867 and 1868.— During this year 1,943 feet of close piling was finished,
and two cribs, 32 feet each, placed in extension of south pier.
1868 and 1869. — The south pier was extended 100 feet, and old pile-work,
interior to that part of same pier (D. and M. railroad), repaired in 1866; re
paired for a distance of 465 feet.
1869 and 1870. — 461 feet of old p%ile-pier was repaired, inward from work of
1863. A crib, 32 feet by 20 feet, was placed to protect the shoulder made by
the pile-pier where it joined the crib-work.

528 MEMORIALS OF THE
Appropriated July 11, 1870, $10,000.
1870 and 1871. — During this year about 200 feet of old pier was repaired
Appropriated March 3, 1871, $6,000.
1871 and 1872. — During' season 460 feet of repairs were completed.
1872 and 1873. — During this year 700 feet pile-revetment, 14 feet wide, was
constructed, to replace old work built by the railroad company; and repairs
put upon south pier, consisting of overhauling and replacing of filling and
ballast, which had become displaced by heavy seas, putting in additional
filling, and protecting pier-head crib with upright timbers, and piling and
leveling superstructure.
A break in pier under bell-house, and another at shore-line, were also
repaired. '
Appropriated March 3, 1874, $75,000.
1873 and 1874. — The United States dredging apparatus had removed suffi
cient sand on the line of proposed north pier to enable the contractors, Messrs.
Squier and White, to commence driving piles on the 7th July, 1873, under
contract dated May 15, 1873, providing for the construction of the first three
sections of north pier, 21 feet.
The weather throughout the entire season was most favorable for outside
work, and on the 29th of November the last pile of the revetment and close
pihng (1,506 linear feat of pier) was driven, much of the superstructure placed
thereon, 700 feet of the work filled with slabs to the required height above
water, and a cargo of stone placed on the filling at the pier-head, as com
pleted, to hold the filling in place through the winter.
On the 8th of April, 1874, dredging was commenced on the hne of the pro
posed 20-foot pile-pier, or outer section of north pier, and was completed
June 18. On the 19th June the apparatus left this harbor for Ludington,
having removed 45,488 cubic yards of sand in connection with this entire
work. The original estimate for this harbor (1866) amounted to $2^9,011.70.
There has been appropriated as follows:
In 1852  $20,000 00
In 1866  65,000 00
In 1867.'  40,000 00
In 1869  1,866 00
In 1870  10,000 00
In 1871  6,000 00
In 1872  15,000 00
In 1873 .'  75,000 00
In 1874  50,000 00
282,866 00
Transferred in 1870, Frankfort  1,885 00
Total  284,751 00
Statement of vessels entered and cleared at Grand Haven daring the year 1874.
Entered: number, 1,350; tonnage, 443,114.
Cleared: number, 1,341; tonnage, 439,522.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 529
BLACK LAKE HARBOR, MICHIGAN.
The plan of improvement for this harbor was to extend north pier 250 feet,
and south pier 275 feet, to bring them into 12 feet of water. At the entrance
to Black Lake the channel to be close-piled for 1,125 feet on north and 425
feet on south sides, to reach 12-foot curve. The channel between the piers
(built by the citizens of Holland) and extensions to be dredged to a depth of
12 feet, requiring the removal of about 80,000 cubic yards, to include
removal of point of marsh through which sheet-piling will pass.
Amount required to complete harbor, estimated :
For dredging  $28,935 33
For piering  43,220 48
For close-piling  15,745 23
¦ For sheet-piling  '  18,337 00
Total  106,238 04
Appropriated in 1866  55,615 31
1866 and 1867. — Dredging was commenced August 6, 1867, and during
season about 15,000 cubic yards material removed. Up to June 30, 1868,
81,945 cubic yards sand was dredged in making required channel and 352
feet pier built.
- Appropriated in 1867, $51,000.
1871 and 1872.^-During this season 640 feet of pile-revetment was com
pleted, 320 feet on each side of the cut inward from the ends of the old piers.
The superstructure of 100 feet of crib- work at inner end of south pier (begun
¦in 1870) was finished; also the pier-head crib to nsrth pier. A protection
of piles was constructed around the north pier-head.
Appropriation of June 10, 1872, $10,000.
1872-3. — 400 feet of revetment was built on north and south sides of chan
nel, and repairs put on both piers. A projection of the south revetment 90
feet eastward, and of 328 feet of revetment, forming a wing to, and at an
angle of 67 degrees 30 minutes south from the south revetment in Black
Lake was made in 1873-4.
The original estimate1 called for $106,238.04. There has been appropriated:
In 1866  $55,615 31
In ] 867  '  51,000 00
In 1870  10,000 00
In 1871  10,000 00
In 1872  10,000 00
. In 1873  12,000 00
In 1874  15,000 00
Total  163,651 31
Statement of vessels entered and cleared at the harbor of Black Lake during
year 1874.
Entered: number 500; tonnage, 31,340.
Cleared: number, 500; tonnage, 31,449.
The same number .of vessels as the year before, showing that a larger class
of vessels make this port than formerly.
34

530 MEMORIALS OF THE
• MUSKEGON HARBOR, MICHIGAN.
Under contract with Culbert & Hopkins, dated August 24, 1874, 135 feet
of 14-foot pile-revetment was built on north pier east of work built the pre
vious year, and one crib, 50 feet by 30 feet, was placed in extension of the
south pier.
During this fiscal year, under the contract with Thomas L. Rosser & Co.,
150 feet, or three cribs, each 50 feet by 30 feet, will be placed in extension of
the south pier.
In the report for 1873, $56,000 was asked to extend south pier into the lake
to 18 feet of water. Of this amount $10,000 was appropriated June 23, 1874,
and was applied to contract of 1874, and $25,000 was appropriated March 3,
1875, which will be applied to contract of 1875; the balance of estimate,
$21 ,000, is asked for, which can be profitably expended in the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1877.
Vessels entered and cleared from July 1, 1874, to July 1, 1875:
Entered: number,' 2,479; tonnage, 524,509.
Cleared: number, 2,490; tonnage, 504,546.
GRAND HAVEN, 1875.
GRAND HAVEN HARBOR, MICHIGAN.
Work under contract with Squier & White, which provided for the build
ing of 2,100 feet of pile revetment, close piling, and pile pier, was completed
August 29, 1874, in a most satisfactory manner. The filling was carefully
placed, and, as a result, the whole work is a secure revetment.
The contract under appropriation of 1874, which provided for the building
of 500 feet of pile revetment, 14 feet wide, prolonging the work of 1872 east
ward, and the building and sinking of six cribs, 50 feet by 30 feet,, each, pro
longing north pier, having been awarded to Squier & White, they commenced
work immediately, and at the close ofthe year 1874, had completed the pile-
work on the south side, save the placing of a few cords of slabs, and had
sunk three cribs in the north pier extension.
The 500 feet of revetment is now completed, and in excellent alignment
and condition. All the cribs, six in number, are in position and filled and
the superstructure, excepting one course of timber, built over the first three.
The last three of these cribs were built and sunk during the month of May
last. In addition to the above, 13,530 cubic yards of sand and clay were
removed by the contractors, in order to give a proper depth ot water over the
ground lately occupied by the clay point upon which the old revetment stood,
and in line of new work.
Statement of vessels entered and cleared at Grand Haven Harbor, from July
1, 1874, to June 30, 1875.
Entered: number, 838; tonnage, 268.736.
Cleared: number, 808; tonnage, 237,884.
Note.— Daily steamboat from Chicago clears at Muskegon. -
Vessels enrolled at this place, 231; tonnage, 20,233.
BLACK LAKE HARBOR, MICHIGAN,
Under contract with Jan Van Dyk & Co., dated August 25, 1874, which

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 531
provided for the building and sinking of three cribs, work commenced in
September, 1874, and two cribs were placed and filled during the fall. In
May, 1875, the third crib was sunk and filled, and by the end ofthe year the
superstructure was completed over all. Two of these cribs were put in exten
sion of the south pier, and one in extension of the north pier.
Under the appropriation approved March 3, 1875, $15,000 contract has
been entered into with Thomas L. Rosser & Co., to build and sink three cribs,
each 50 feet by 24 feet; two to be added to the north pier, and one to the
south pier.
Statement of vessels entered and cleared at Black Lake Harbor, Michigan,
from July 1, 1874, to June 30, 1875.
Entered: number, 303; tonnage, 24,392.
Cleared: number, 310; tonnage, 24,809.
LEGISLATIVE. IONIA COUNTY.
1836.' As a town attached to Kent.
1837. Organized as a county with two towns, Ionia and Maple (tempo- ¦
rary); one and a half tiers of towns on the east side, to constitute Maple;
the rest, Ionia. AU territory north attached for judicial purposes; the two
organized. State road from Dexter to Lyons.
1838. Boston setoff, and organized. Portland constituted a town; 5 and
6 north of range 5 W., and 5 and 6 north of east half of range 6 W. OMscO
constituted a town; T. 7 and 8 north, range 8 W. Cass', 5 and 6 N., 7 W.,
and half of 5 and 6 N., R. 6 W., and all that part of 7 N., R. 6 W., south
of Grand River. State road from Kalamazoo to Ionia.
1839. T. 5 N., R. 8 W., attached to Boston.
1840. Lyons, name changed from Maple. Montcalm county, attached for
judicial purposes. State road from Marshall to Ionia.
1842. Berlin, name changed from Cass. Keene, what is east of Flat River,
in T. 7 N., R . 8 W., made a town. Dam, in T. 7, N., R. 5 W., authorized.
1843. Lyons, extended to take T. 9 and 10 N., R. 6 W, Easton, all
north of Grand River in T. 7, N., R. 7, W., made a town.
1844. North Plains organized, T. 8, 9 and 10, N., R. 5 W., except what
lies south of Maple River. Part of Boston annexed to Keene (north of Grand
River). State road from Lyons to Grand Rapids.
1845. Danby organized, T. 5, N„ B.. 5 W. Orange organized, T. 6,
N., R. 6, W. Sebewa organized, T. 5, N., R. 6 W. Ronald organized, T.
8, N, R. 6 W.
1845. State roads— Marshall to Ionia; Lyons to Ada; Kalamazoo tolonia.
1846. Orleans organized, T. 8, N. 7 W. Odessa organized, T. 5, N. 7 W.
Keene annexes Sees. 7 and 18 from Otisco. Keene, part of south of Grand
River added -to Boston. Ionia county supervisors authorized to build a
bridge at Lyons; 2,000 acres appropriated.
1848. Ionia enlarged by detachments from Lyons and Berlin.
1849. Keene— a fraction set off to Otisco. Otisco— fraction added from
Keene. Boston— the part of Keene south of the river added. Keene— the

532 MEMORIALS OF THE
part of south of the river attached to Boston.. Bridge at Lowell— super
visors authorized to construct a free bridge. Lyons— part of plat vacated.
Campbell Organized, 5 N., 8 W. Fraction of Keene added to Otisco. Bos
ton adds so much of T. 8 as lies north of Grand River, set off from Keene.
1859. Muir— name changed from Montrose. Boston— village, changed
to"' Saranac." Lyons— actio incorporate legalized.
1863. Ionia — name changed from. '.'. Ionia County Seat." .
1865. Hubbardston, new plat legalized.
1867. Lyons village incorporated. North Plains adds that, portion of
Lyons cut offl>y Maple River. Lyons loses the above to North, Plains. ,
1869. Portland chartered as a village; Saranac chartered as a, village.
1871. Muir incorporated; Hubbardston incorporated; Pewamo incor
porated. KENT COUNTY.
1836. The county organized with Ottawa, Ionia and Clinton attached for
judicial purposes; Byron organized, T, 5 and 6, N. R. 12 and 13 W. State
Roads— Kalamazoo (Bronson) to Grandville; Grandville to, .Black. River.
1837. - All north of- Kent and Ottawa counties not included-in any organ
ized comity, attached for judicial purposes. Toll bridge chartered at Grand
Rapids; Ionia county detached, -and all territory north; authorized to bor
row $10,000 for a court house.
18.38.: , Ada organized, towns 5, 6. and 7, N. R. 10 W.; Plainfield, all of
the townships 8 N.; ranges 10 and 11 W., north of Grand River; Walker,
including all north; Vergennes, towns 5, 6, 7 and 8, N. R. 6.W.; Grand
Rapids' village, incorporated; railroad, G. R. & Port Sheldon; State Road
from Grand Rapids to Muskegon.
1839. Paris, Towns 5 and 6, N. R., 11 W. Courtland, T. N. 10 W. Grand
Rapids, $25,000 appropriated for canal and the rapids; State road from Kal
amazoo to Grand Rapids.
1840. $5,000 appropriated to continue the work at the Salt . Springs, on
Grand River. Newaygo and Macosta counties attached for judicial purposes.
County enlarged, by attaching two tiers of towns at the north. Caledonia
organized, 5 N. R. 9 and 10 W. : State Roads: Clinton to Grand Rapids;
Eaton county to Grand Rapids; Hastings to Grand Papids.
1841. Courtland extended; takes T. 9, N. 9 W.
1842. Grand Rapids, name changed from Kent. : Salt Springs; Grand
Rapids and Midland, $15,000 appropriated.
1843. Bridge at- Ada; supervisors authorizedto taxthe county $1,000.
1844. Free Bridge at Grand Rapids ; 6,000 acres appropriated. ¦ Academy
at Grand Rapids chartered.- State road from Lyons to Grand Rapids. State
road from Gull Prairie to Grand Rapids.
1845. State roads— Barry county to Grand Rapids; Grand Rapids to Mus
kegon River; Greenville to Grand Haven; Grand Rapids to Muskegon Lake.
1846. Grand River Valley Railroad chartered from Grand Rapids to Jack
son. Newaygo county attached to Kent; Vergennes organized as a town,
except 11 N. 16 W., which is attached to Muskegon. Sparta, 9 and 10, R.
12 W. organized; Plainfield has 9 N. 11 W. added, detcched from Court-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 533
land; Grattan, T. 8, N. 9 W., set off from Vergennes and organized; Church
town, 8 N. 10 W., organized.
1847. The supervisors authorized to construct a canal around the rapids;
25,000 acres of land appropriated; Alpine, T. 8, N. 12 W., organized;
Wabesis organized (legislative mistake). Plainfield has added to it what of
Town 8 lies south of Grand Rapids; Battle Creek and Grand Rapids railroad
charter amended; Kalamazoo & Grand Rapids R. R. chartered; Cannon
(changed from Churchtown).
1848. Lowell, T. 6, N. 9 W. set off from Vergennes. Wyoming, 6 N.
12 W.*set off from Byron and made a town. Gaines, 5 N. 11 W. set off from
Paris, and organized as a town. Wabesis j name changed back to Courtland;
and T. 10, N. 9 and 10 W. attached. Cascade, 6 N. 10 W.- detached from
Ada, and became a town (all south of Grand River). Free bridge at Plain-
field (1,000 acres of land appropriated.). Kent County received 3,000 aeres
pf land for bridges; 1,000 for Plainfield; 1,000 for Ada;* 400 ,for Thornapple
River and 600 for Cascade Bridge; Grand Rapids charter amended. Plank
Road, Grand River, chartered.
1849. County seat to be located by Commissioners, appointed by the
Governor. Algoma organized; set off from Plainfield; T. 9, N. 11 W.
Bowne set off from Caledonia and organized T. 5, N. 9 W. Lowell bridge
authorized. Oakfield set off from Courtland, and made a town— T. 9, N.9W.
1850. Plank road chartered from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo- Grand
Rapids city charter amended. Kent county seat to be determined by Com
missioners. St. Mark's College chartered.
. 1851. Newaygo detached, and organized; Grand Rapids, oharter
amended. 1852. Grand Rapids charter amended.
1855. Act relative to improving Grand River (canal given up). Grand
Rapids charter amended. . Grand Rapids— act for improving the rapids with
the unexpended balance of the appropriation. State road from Grand
Rapids to Grand Traverse.
1857. 5,000 acres of land appropriated for the improvement of Flat
River. Lowell Village — name changed from Danville. Grand Rapids char
ter revised.
1859. Lowell Village incorporation legalized. (It had before been incor
porated by the Supervisors.) Grand Rapids charter amended.
1861. Lowell incorporated. Act to quiet titles in Kent county on account
of loss by the fire. Grand Rapids charter amended. Kent county— act to
quiet titlfes.
1863. Grand Rapids charter amended.
' 1864. Grand Rapids authorized to pledge its credit to the Jackson and
Indiana Railroad.
1865. Scranton's Abstracts made prima facie evidence of title; Lowell
incorporated (village).
1867. 3,000 acres appropriated for the improvement of Flat River.
1869. Lowell authorized to re-survey; Lisbon village chartered; Cale
donia re-organized.
1870. Cedar Springs incorporated.
1875. Grand Rapids' Superior Court established.

534 MEMORIALS OF THE
OTTAWA COUNTY.
1836. State road from Grand Haven to Allegan.
1837. County organized with three towns— Talmadge, Ottawa and Mus
kegon; the act dates Dec. 29th, 1837.
1838. Talmadge, 7 and 8, N. R . 13 W.
1838. Ottawa county, organized and divided into three towns — Ottawa,
Muskegon and Talmadge, by a line between, towns 8 and 9; Port Sheldon
& Grand Rapids railroad chartered.
1839. Talmadge enlarged, towns 7 and 8* R. 14; Georgetown organized,
towns 5 and 6, N. R. 13 and 14 W.; Norton organized, 8N., 15 and 1*6 W.,
north of Grand River, and 'south half of N. 15 and 16 W.; all north
attached for judicial purposes.
1842. Georgetown has added to it the part of Talmadge, south of the
Grand River. Talmadge loses the same. Talmadge, the part of T. 7, N.,
R. 14 W. set off to Ottawa. Ottawa gains the same. Talmadge, what part
of Georgetown is north of Grand River is attached. Georgetown loses the
same. 1845. Polkton constituted, T. 5, 6, 7 and 8, N., R. 14 W. Georgetown
enlarged by adding some fractional sections. State roads, Grandville to
Grand Haven. Norton added certain fractions.
1846. Georgetown, T. 5 and 6 N., R. 14 W., added. Polkton loses the
same. Polkton, part of T. 7, N., R. 14 W., south of Grand River, detached.
Ottawa gains the above.
1847. Wright organized, set off from Talmadge, T. 7, N., R. 13 W.
Georgetown, what is north of Grand River, set off. Talmadge gains the
same. Holland organized, T. 5, N. 19, 15, 16 W.
1848. Chester set off from Wright. Holland, T. 5, N., R. 14, 15, 16,
for one year attached to Ottawa.
1849. Crockery, constituted a town, T. 5, N., R. 15 W., except what is
south of Grand River. Port Sheldon, plat vacated. Allendale organizrdrT.
5 and 6 N., R. 14 W., and the part of T. 7, south of Grand River. Spring
Lake, organized of several fractions. Holland organized. Ravenna organ
ized, T. 7 N, R. 16 W. Jamestown organized, T.~7, N., R. 13 W. State
road from T. 8. N., R. 16 W. ,to Muskegon Lake.
1850. Holland adds T. 5, N., ft. 14 W. from Allendale. Spring Lake,
part of T. 7 N. R. 15 W. added.
1851. Zeeland, by supervisors. Chester, T. 10. N. R. 13 W., attached.
1852. Casnovia organized.
1854. Blendon organized.
1855. Eastman, from T. 6, N. 16 W. and 6, N. 15 W.; Holland adds T.
6, N. 15 W. from Ottawa; Norton organized from T. 9,N. 17 W. and T.
7, N. 15, 16 W.
1856. Robinson organized.
1857. Olive organized; Lamont, name changed from Middlebury; canal
in Muskegon River declared a public highway; Muskegon improvement,
act for.
1858. Holland authorized to levy taxes for improving the harbor; Mus
kegon improvement act amended.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 535
1859. Muskegon county established.
1861. Muskegon and other counties authorized to levy a harbor tax;
Muskegon River improvement; Muskegon incorporated.
1863. Grand Haven, name changed from Ottawa; Holland Harbor act
amended. 1864. Grand Haven authorized to pledge its credit to the railroad from
New Buffalo; Muskegon authorized to pledge its credit for a railroad to
connect with the D. & M.
1865. Black Lake harbor appropriation; Holland may aid Black Lake
harbor; Muskegon improvement; Muskegon for constructing free bridge.
1866. Oceana T. 12, N. 17 W., and the part of 11 N. 17 W., lying north
of White Lake. Blue Lake— T. 12, N. 16 W., organized. White Lake—
all" that part of 11 N., 17 W., south of White Lake and T. 11, N. 16 W.,
organized and called Dalton. Ottawa county allowed two Representatives.
Muskegon county allowed one Representative. Black Lake Harbor appro
priation. Holland authoiized to establish a rate of tolls for the improvement
of the harbor. Laketon organized, T. 10, N. 17 W.
1867. Grand Haven City chartered; Holland City chartered. Holland
authorized to resurvey. Spring Lake — name changed from Mill Point.
White Hall — name changed from Mears and incorporated.
1871. Fruitport — name changed from Lovell. Holton — 12 N., 15 W.,
organized. The east 18 sections detached from Norton and added to Fruit
port. 1872. Grand Haven charter amended.
SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF GRAND RIVER YALLEY.
List of Senators and and Representatives to the State Legislature from
the counties of Ionia, Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon, from 1836 to 1860,
inclusive. By the courtesy of Hon. E. G. D. Holden, Secretary of State.
IONIA COUNTY.
Roswell Britton, Rep. in 1836 for the counties of Clinton, Ionia, Kent
(See list for Kent Co. for 137-8-9.) Ottawa.
Digby V. Bell, Rep. in 1840, for Ionia, Kent and Ottawa Counties.
(See list for Kent Co. for 1841.)
George W. Dexter, Rep. in 1842 " " " " "
(See list-for Kent Co. for 1843-4.)
Adam L. Roof, Rep. in 1845 "
John L.Morse, Rep. in 1846 "
Alexander F. Bell, Rep. in 1847 for Ionia County.
Ananias Worden, Rep. in 1848 " ". "
Adam L. Roof, Sen. in 1849-50 "
Cyrus Lovell, Rep. in 1847 
Frederick Hall, Rep. in 1850 " " "
D.'L.Case, Rep. in 1851-2 "
Chas. Ingalls, Rep. inJ1853-4  '
J. H. Beckwith, Sen. in 1855-6 " " "
Cyrus Lovell, Rep. in 1855-6 "
G.W.Germain, Rep. in 1857-8 "

536

MEMORIALS OF THE

Alonzo Sessions,
Osmond Tower,
Almeron Newman,
Alonzo Sessions,
John Almy,
John Ball, Rep. in 1838,
Noble H. Finney, Rep. in 1839,
(See Ionia county list for 1840.)
Henry P. Bridge, Sen. in 1841,
Charles I. Walker. Rep. in 1841,
Digby V. Bell, Sen. in 1842-3,
(See Ionia county list for 1842.)
Simeon M. Johnson, Rep. in 1843,
Wm. A. Richmond, Sen. in 1844-5,
Thomas W. White, " Rep. in 1844,
(See Ionia county hst for 1845-6.)
Silas G. Harris,
Charles H. Taylor.

Rep. in 1857-8 for Ionia County.
Sen. in 1859-60 "
Rep. in 1879-60 ."
Rep. in 1859-60 " " "
KENT COUNTY.
Rep. in 1837, for Ionia, Kent and Ottawa counties.

Rix Robinson,
Henry Smith,
Henry Pennoyer,
Philo Beers, '
* Silas G. Harris,
Thos. B. Church,
*Thos. W. Ferry,
Truman H. Lyon,
Henry C. Smith,
Dewitt Shoemaker,
W. D. Foster,
Thos. B. Church,
Smith Lapham,
Smith Lapham,
Lewis Porter,
Francis W. Kellogg, Rep. in 1857-8,

Rep. in 1847-8, for Kent and Ottawa counties.
Rep. in 1848,
Sen. in 1849-50,
Rep. in 1849,
Rep. in 1849,
Rep. in 1850,
Rep. in 1850,
Rep. in 1851-2,
Rep. in 1851-2,
Sen. in 1853-4,
Rep. in 1853-4,
Rep. in 1853-4,
Sen. in 1855-6,
Rep. in 1855-6,
Rep. in 1855-6,
Sen. in 1857-8,
Rep. in 1857-8,

Kent county.

Volney Caukin,
Lewis Porter,
Geo. W. Allen,
S. S. Fallass,
M. C. Watkins,
Hiram Jennison,
M. L. Hopkins,
Robert W. Duncan,
Thos. W. Ferry,
E. W. Merrill,

Rep. in 1857-8, "
Sen. in 1859-60, "
Rep. in 1859-60, "
Rep. in 1859-60, "
Rep. in 1859-60, "
OTTAWA COUNTY.
Rep. in 1853-4, for Ottawa coimty.
Sen. in 1855-6, "
Rep. in 1855-6, "
Sen. in 1857-8, " " "
Rep. in 1857-8, " " "

*Eesident of Ottawa county.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

537

Henry Pennoyer,
James Dalton, Jr.,

Sen. in 1859-60, for Ottawa county.
Rep. in 1859-60, "

MUSKEGON COUNTY.
Was organized in 1859. First election of Representative and. county offi
cers held in Dec, 1860.
Chauncy Davis, Rep. in 1861-2, from Muskegon county.
i
PERSONS IN THE GRAND RIVER VALLEY WHO HAVE HELD PROMINENT
OFFICES IN THE STATE.
Edward L. Mundy, Lieutenant Governor, 1855-9; also Judge ofthe Cir
cuit Court.
George Martin, Circuit Judge and Chief Justice.
Charles H. Taylor, E. G. D. Holden, Secretaries of State.
Albert Williams, Byron D. Ball, AttomeyGenerals.
Lewis Lovell, S. G. Harris, Birney Hoyt, Flavius J. LMejohn, Circuit
Judges. Henry H. Holt, Alonzo Sessions, Lieutenant Governors.
1855. Cyrus Lovell, of Ionia, was Speaker of the House.
1850. ¦ Silas G.Harris was Speakerof the House: Francis Kellogg was mem
ber of Congress from 1859 to 1865. Thomas W. Ferry was member of Con
gress from 1865 — two terms; elected a third time, but did not serve; pro
moted to the U. S. Senate, 1871; was President protem., 1866.
1865. L. S. Withey, Judge W. Dist.U. S. C. Osmond Taver, U.S.
Marshal. 1865. Geo. Martin, Chief Justice. Thomas D. Gilbert, Regent of Uni
versity
POPULATION OF THE GRAND EIVEK VALLEY.
IONIA COUNTY.

Berlin 
Boston 
Campbell. .
Danby
Easton. . . .
Ionia . . ; . .
Ionia City.
Keene 
Lyons. ....
N. Plains .
Odessa 
OrangeOrleans . . .
0 isco ....
Portland . .
Ronald. . . .
Sebewa . . .

Total  28,376

1874

1,6591,8931,179
1,140
1,1641,496
3,251 1,202
2,843 1.803
1,087 1,341
1,4231,684
2,5961,3241,291

1870

1,5871,9161,1201,176
1,401
4,158 1,271
2,855 1,976 959
1,3821,426
1,570 2,353 1,356
1,139

27,675

1864

1,152
1,391 598529
922
2,3591,1251,927
1,187 559826
1,0681,3551,531 824631

17,984

1860

1,0261,244 518727
837
1,926

1,150 1,949 921
488801
857
1,3491,381 893 598

1854

16,665

57-0
: 635228
452
- 61.1
1,129 "813 981
549 225
592
684
1,3311,036 570
331

10,727

1850

.391 421
" 262
.397
. . 774
'' 737850292 81
378
. 491
1,018 763
. 452247

7,597

1845

348- 241
¦ 150 -
278654

390 705
264
348607654201 100

5,101

538

MEMORIALS OF THE
KENT COUNTY.

Ada 
Algoma. . .
Alpine . . .
Bowne . . .
Byron 
Cannon. . .
Caledonia .
Cascade. ..
Courtland
Gaines . . .
Grattan. ..
G. Rapids.
G. R. City
Lowell 
Nelson 
Oakfield..
Paris. . —
Plainfield.. Sparta 
Spencer. . .
Solon 
Tyrone . . .
VergennesWalker. . .
Wyoming Total..

1874

1,351
2,591 1,3481.240 1,504
1,2051.6801,050
1,28,71,273 1,250
1,941
25,923 2,8262,361 1,0801,8161,4991.587 662
1,310 866
1,129 1,884
2,008

62,671

1870

1,4271,959 1,445
1,2751,3281,2051,5991,1571,3401.205
L2981,651
16,508 3,086 1,1021,0921,5431,4991,666 580911730
1,342
1,675
1,787

50,410

1864

1,094 992
1,194 814
1,1451,142 923940*
1,388 961
1,1411,053
8,772 1,417 430 912
1,4431,1261,032 209
391 257
1,210 1,2791,195

33,458

1860

1,116 993
1,248 745
1,042
1,061 762803 957
868
1,127
1,021
8,090 1,200 461
1,079
1,327 1,240 941
'393 173
1,3471,4301,239

30,721

1854

746570
861357 637
874301526703515
800872
4,278 473
'643 789
807 531

1,042 756788

17,869

1850

593
233618309 696 99
358 406
319 648
461
2,686 214 645
521659309

876 823543

12,016

1845

497493 127
400
1,510

485565

850
1,122

6,049

OTTAWA COUNTY.

Allendale 
Blendon 
Chester 
Crockery 
Georgetown 
Holland 
Holland City 
Olive 
Grand Haven. .. .
Grand Haven City
Polkton 
Robinson 
Jamestown 
Spring Lake 
Talmadge 
Wright 
Zeeland 
Total 

1874

1870

1864

1860

1854

1850

1845

762

799

298

245

196

168

639

718

276

381

85

1,397

1,405

1,034

721

500

216

1,124
1,125
574
396
275
247
1,464
1,474
918
973
457
196
133
2,716
2,354
2,777
1,991
985
1,829
2,469
2,324
....
1,257
612
413
317
677
558'
1,576
1,359
684
....
350
4,363
3,140
....
2,267
2,416
1,242
1,222
570
430
321
528
406
126
128
. . . >
1,806
1,612
708
519
204
72
2.345
1,836
844
743
655
268
98
1,475
1,451
1,093
1,145
746
- 545
2,064
2,077
1,584
1,520
868
521
551
2,576
2,343
1,693
1,467
912
29,929
26,650
15,156
13,077
6,809
4.835
1,200
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
MUSKEGON COUNTY.

539

Casnovia  ,
Dalton 
Eggleson 
Moorland 
Muskegon ....
Muskegon City
Norton 
Qceana 
Ravenna 
White River . .
Cedar Creek. . .
Blue Lake 
Fruitland 
Fruitport 
Holton 
Laketon 
Montague 
Whitehall 
Total. . . .

1874 1,529 425 317213545
8,505 392
'934 706231297 208
378 620
1,3321,3601,323
19,375

1870 1,093 401 233 194
401
6,001 688
L0351,452 660381228 167
l',039

14,892

1864 667674 153128
2,712 '229 111
429 543 166

1860 605 243 29
105
285
1,448 197
214393374

1854

980

655789

1850

484

268

1845

119

98

5,812

3,893

2,424

752

217

540 MEMORIALS OF THE

THE LUMBEE INTEEEST.
The saw mills of the lake region are justly the pride of J the
people, unsurpassed by any in the world. " In good old sash-
saw times," five hundred feet of pine boards in an hour, was
the best work of the crack mills of Maine^-then the great
lumber State. About 1840, the cumbrous sash was in some
mills abandoned, and by degrees the simple attachment of the
saw, running in guides, directly to the pitman, was a great
improvement in sp'eed of action, and economy of power. About
1850, small circulars, with automatic arrangements for setting
began to be used for narrow lumber. But these " siding ma
chines" had their day; being superseded by the large circu
lars and machinery for edging and splitting lumber. Like the
" sash " the " siding machine " is a matter of history. The
Mulay, the gang and the circular are now the machines used.
The Mulay is principally used as an appendage to the circulars
and gangs, to prepare logs for their use.
A vast amount of inventive genius has been brought to bear
upon the secondary operations, which can only be appreciated
by a visit to one of the first class mills. The result is, a log
enters the mill; is handled with but little apparent respect,
but withal very scientifically; and in two or three minutes is
out in the shape of lumber, cord-wood and saw-dust.
It is dangerous to go East and tell the truth about the
Michigan saw-mills. To illustrate: Some short time since,
Hoyt G. Post, a well known citizen, was with his relatives
in New England, and to -them described the Michigan saw
mills. A good old uncle was grieved at the degeneracy of
Hoyt. He said to his family: " I always thought Hoyt a boy
of truth ; but he has been telling us only a string of outrageous
lies." Just tell one who has not seen it, that at Cutler &
Savidge's mill, one saw cut nine sixteen-foot boards, sixteen

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 541
inches wide, in a minute, and the man will signal to you, ask
ing if you " see anything green " in him. Why, only sixteen
years ago, the writer felt he was telling a big story when he
said in the same Yankee land, that he had seen a six-foot cir
cular cut fifty feet in a minute. There are those who believe
that Cutler & Savidge's best will yet look • as small as that
fifty feet does now.
LUMBER PRODUCT OF THE WEST SHORE OF MICHIGAN DURING 1876.
The following summary of the lumber cut in 1875 and 1876
is condensed from the Lumberman's Gazette:
Grand Eapids — 8 mills of capacity of from 2,000,000 to
9,000,000; 1875, 39,000,000; 1876, 40,000,000.
Muskegon— 21 mills; capacity from 2,000,000 to 25,000,-
000; 1875,303,000,000; 1876,290,000,000.
Montague— 7 mills; 1875, 51,000,000; 1876, 52,000,000.
Whitehall— 5 mills; 1875, 51,000,000; 1876, 52,000,000.
Spring Lake and Grand Haven— 16 mills; 1875,. 88,000,-
000; 1876, 59,^00,000.
Other places— 1875, 31,000,000; 1876, 25,000,000.
This is exclusive of the country mills for local supply.
The question is .already agitating the mind of the political
economist: "How long will this last? -and what will be the
final result?" At the rate the lumber is disappearing we know
the supply will run low in a part of a century, variously
figured. Until recently the cut-over, pine lands were deemed
worthless, or nearly so. In other places in this work will be
found what people are doing with those lands; time will
develop what they will do. This much it is safe to say — the
lands will be occupied for agricultural purposes. Much of the
soil is good for general farms, and what was supposed to be
worthless sand is the "Fruit Belt" on the lake shore. We
will not croak over the future. There are mines of wealth in
the woods of Michigan. When those are no longer relied on
we have the soil of Michigan.
Already there .is coming up another interest, dependent on
forest supply, the manufacture of articles constructed of hard
wood. This interest will increase as the pine diminishes.

542 MEMORIALS OF THE
We have not as yet to any great extent the manufacture of
cotton, wool, and leather. These will come along.
Our infancy of occupation in the Grand Uiver Yalley is
past. The youthful years, dependent on stripping the virgin
forest, in the main are passed; we shall soon settle down into
the habits of older communities, relying on the soil, on com
merce and manufactories, which bring steady habits in their
train. At present, God speed the saw-mill.
The probability is, that the lumber interest never will
increase. Its immensity as a business may be seen from the
statistics preceding.
' Muskegon county may be said to rest upon lumber; and it
is the life of .Grand Haven and Spring Lake.
The business furnishes winter employment to a great num
ber of men, cutting logs up the streams. It also employs
many vessels for its transportation.
A brief sketch of the history of board-making may not be
without its interest.
With the ancients, a whole tree was used to form one board,
which was made by hewing off the surplus timber.
Next comes the saw, operated by two men — one above, and
the other below the log; as may be seen now in a ship-yard.
Then the operation of the saw by water, with a saw strained
in a heavy sash, or, in other words, the - " sash saw-mill."
About 1840, it was found that the sash might be dispensed
with, and we had the Mulay mill.
About 1857, the big circular began to be used, which has in
the main superseded all other saws.
By degrees, minor improvements have been introduced to
facilitate the various operations.
The result is, a log is treated with very little respect in a
saw-mill of the, present day. In one or two minutes from
entering, it is out of the mill.
The capacity of a good saw-mill in the " good old times,"
was 800 to 1,000 feet per day. In the "crack mills" in Maine,
1840, it was 500 feet per hour — the best mills in the world.
In one of Cutler and Savidge's mills, in 1874, 215 feet were
cut with one saw in a minute.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 543
The next greatest improvement is the set of adjustable saws
for splitting boards into strips, or edging them. This origin
ated with Mr. Powers, of Grand Rapids.
It would seem that the saw-mill has arrived near to its perfec
tion. There seems to be but one thing left for inventive genius
to work upon for its improvement. Cannot machinery be in
vented that will- lessen the amount of the log that goes into
sawdust? We have expedition that should satisfy any one;
but cannot the logs bemade to yield more lumber? It is well
known they can, but other considerations have overrode that
apparent economy. Cannot that economy be made consistent
with other interests? The answer of experience thus far is in
the negative. It is desirable that that shall not be the final
answer. It is a melancholy sight to see one-fourth of a log,
whose boards would be worth $40 per thousand, going into
sawdust. Inventive genius will yet ameliorate the sad afflic
tion of that log.

GYPSUM.
An immense interest has been, since 1842, in process of development below
Grand Rapids. It was early known that gypsum, or plaster, existed at a
point three miles below the rapids; the borings at the early salt-wells con
firmed the fact that the deposit was extensive."* Subsequent explorations have
shown that it is practically inexhaustible, and that Over a large amount of
temtory it may be worked, if desirable. It is found on both sides of the
river; on the left bank appearing as the surface rock, covered only by the
drift; on the right bank at the base of the bluff, under the drift and some 30
feet of superincumbent rock. At and above Grandville it is found, as at
Plaster Creek, near the surface.
The section of the bluff On the right bank, three miles below Grand Rap
ids, shows:
1. Loam and yellow clay; 2. Blue clay, 4 feet; 3. Water lime and clay
slate, 4 feet; 4. Clay slate, 4 feet; 5. Plaster, 8 inches; 6. Clay slate, 2
feet. 7. Plaster, thin stratum; 8. Clay slate, 3 feet; 9. Water lime, 1 foot!
10. Clay slate, 4 feet; 11. Plaster, 7 feet; 12. Clay slate, 1 foot; 13. Plas
ter, 13 feet.
On the left bank of the river, the seven foot stratum is at, or near the sur
face; generally very much dissolved away.
The borings at Grand Rapids show what is thought to be the seven foot
and the thirteen foot beds-the first at the depth of sixty-three feet,. and the

544 MEMORIALS OF THE
other at seventy-four. Continuing the descent, several other strata of gyp
sum are penetrated.
How far south and west -workable gypsum may be found is problematical.
The article itself may be found anywhere between the Grand and Muskegon
Rivers. Whether it will pay to open quarries or not, depends on the amount
. of stripping, and the chance for draining.
On the right bank it is wrought by mining; on the left bank by open
quarries. As it is supposed they will be their own monument, we will not enter into
an extended description of the unique geological relations of the beds, or
describe their mineral contents; but pass directly to their history.
It. is believed that Houghton, the State Geologist, was the first to call
attention to the gypsum at Plaster Creek, and to predictits future commercial
value. Although it needed' no prophetic wisdom to foreknow that the gypsum
which had been discovered, would give rise to an extensive and lucrative
business, yet it was a hazardous enterprise to undertake the development of
it. The two articles of commercial value prepared from it — land plaster and
stucco — are httle wanted in a new. country . The virgin soil of the West needs
no fertilizer for a series of years ; and there is little use for stucco in a country
where the farmers live in log- houses, and the villagers from sheer necessity,
must build cheap residences, and be content with simplicity.
Notwithstanding, enterprise early took hold of it. Daniel Ball, that man
whose deathless enterprise was the life of the Valley as long as his strength
and intellect held out, commenced operations in this hne in 1842; having
secured a ten years' lease of a piece of land at Plaster Creek. Of course, his
operations were small, and of them we have no statistics. ¦ He afterwards
sold out his lease to a kindred spirit, Henry R. Williams, who did much to
create a market for the article. After a time, the property passed into the
hands of B. B. Morgan. For several years the mill at the Creek was the
only one; and that was a small concern. Yet the success that attended it,
and the increasing demand, waked others to the value of the gypsum deposit,
and started their enterprise.
Mr. Butterworth, from indications which he observed, was satisfied of the
existence of plaster on the other side of the river; and bought land solely.
with reference to it. He was without capital, and could make no develop
ments of the interest he had until 1849. He then, by opening through the
superincumbent rock, laid bare the thirteen foot stratum, and, on a . small
scale, commenced operations. He put up a little mill for grinding, on the
little brook north of the present work. That mill, or the remnants of it, are
still to be seen.
Soon after Butterworth had shown that a great bed of gypsum was there
three other men, Adin Hinds, John Courtney and Jacob Winsor, secured
land south of him, and almost simultaneously commenced operations. Win
sor had some capital, the others had httle or none. Winsor put up a mill
on the stream below the present works, but soon found that he really had no
valuable interest and abandoned it. Courtney, then a simple Irish laborer,
in another man's employ, had exhausted his money and had made use of his

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 545
credit in securing his lands, and with a rising family on his hands, had not
a dollar to aid him in digging through the rock to uncover the treasure ho
was sure he had. vWorkingatodd hours, and at night, alone, he made an
excavation in the overlying limestone and shales, 12 rods long and from 5
to 18 feet deep, and exposed his treasure. This done, he formed a partner
ship with John Ball, and, with capital, works were started. The opening of
this quarry was in 1853. This Mr. Courtney, after having achieved an inde
pendence, and won a position as aman amongst men, without having lost tho
frank simplicity of his early character, died in 1875.
The other man mentioned — Mr. Hinds, was a feeble consumptive kind of
an individual, haunted with two ideas; the one that he soon must die of con
sumption, and the other that there was a fortune in plaster. Having secured
his land, his fortune consisted in that, a yoke of oxen, a cow, a wife and
child. Too weak to work himself, he gave his oxen to a man to open the
quarry. That done and his treasure in sight, he got bstter, sold out and
moved off.
Mr. Butterwith sold his interest to Converse & Co., and went-to do busi
ness in the city.
The works on both sides of the river have since been immensely developed
and a heavy capital is profitably employed. The several changes and the
steps in the development are not matters of his historical interest. The
interest has become an immense one, and the works and mines are among
the attractions to the stranger visiting the city.
The business has grown with the growth of the country, the increasing
needs of agriculture, and of cities and villages, and with the development
of facilities for transportation, until it has become an immense interest,
employing a capital of $500,000, and the labor of some 350 men.

35

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN ALMY.
Pew persons in Grand Rapids,
amongst either the dead or living,
did more in his day to give the
now bright and growing Valley
City a reputation, than the gentle
man whose name heads this arti
cle. Judge Almy was a native of
Rhode Island, and was educated a
civil engineer. He was for several
years a resident of Geneseo, N. Y.,
where he married Eliza, daughter
of the late Col. John Pierce. In'
1834, he removed to Detroit, Mich
igan, where he had been appoint
ed city engineer, and remained
there several years, and laid out
the splendid system of sewerage
and street grades that have proved
so beneficial to that city. In 1835,
when Hon. Lucius Lyon and N. 0.
Sargeant thought of founding a
village where Grand Rapids now
is. Judge Almy came out, and platted the village of Kent. Eventually, the late
Hon. Charles H. Can-oil, of Groveland, Livingston county, N. Y., purchased the
interest of Mr. Lyon in the " Kent plat." Judge Almy came out to take charge
ofthe property, and built the first stone dwelling — a two-story one, still stand
ing on Bronson street, in the rear of Grinnell-'s Block — andbecame an active and
zealous advocate of the city and Western Michigan; and until the day of his
deatlj (in 1863) never lost faith in the future of Grand Rapids — firrnly believ
ing and always insisting that we should have a large and flourishing city.
And now, as pertinent to this article, and as exhibiting the hardships and
trials incident to our early pioneer life, we quote from a page of a journal
kept, by Mrs. Almy, in 1835. "The next night brought us to the Thornap
ple, and.it being late and very dark, we dare not go on, for fear we shou'd
[547]

John Almy.

•i MEMORIALS OF THE
fall into the river. We saw, near by, some camp-fires of Indians, but going
to them, they fled, and we could not get near them; so we camped out as well
as we could, and spent the night with nothing to eat. As soon as daylight
appeared, we commenced our march, and crossing the Thornapple, met Rix
Robinson and the chiefs, who were coming to see us, and what kind of peo
ple we were. Mr. Robinson explained to them' that we were friends, and
going to build a big town down at Grand Rapids. Here we were furnished
breakfast — pork and potatoes, bread and tea, with wild honey (considered an
extra dish<), with short-cake; and did we not do justice to that meal? After
settling our bills, we proceeded on our journey, and having Plaster Creek and
several other streams to bridge, we were the whole day until late at night in
getting to Grand Rapids. Mr. Richard Godfroy and Mr. Louis Campau gave
us quarters in their respective homes. The next clay the woods rang out with
the echo of the woodman's ax, slaying down trees to build shanties with, and
all was bustle aud business. It did not take long to get settled, and then
commenced the work of laying out the canal. Mr. Almy soon found it neces
sary to return to Detroit, which was no easy matter, and I concluded to go, too.
Mr. Richard Godfroy sent his Frenchman with a lumber wagon, to take us.
We were ten days going. While in Detroit Mr. Almy bought a steamboat,
and friends named her the " John Almy." She was loaded with pork, flour,
mill-stones, and many other useful articles, to be landed at Grand Rapids.
The boat left about April 1, and had very rough weather, and as she neared
Thunder Bay she was wrecked — a total loss." Much more of interest could
be' extracted from this journal, did the length of this article permit.
Mr. Almy held many important places of trust— such as member of the
Legislature, Judge of the County Court, Chief Clerk in the Surveyor-Gen
eral's office, engineer of the Kalamazoo and other river improvements. He
also held the office of City Engineer. The Judge was a splendid draftsman,
and in' water- color and India ink drawings, was not excelled. He was a
scientific man of much learning and his general information was very great.
He was very methodical and exact in his calculations- and business. He had
studied law and was admitted to practice, but the duties were not congenial
to him, but he was thoroughly grounded.in its principles, and wasa safe and
trusty counselor. He was a walking encyclopedia. Of splendid physical form,
and a most benignant expression of countenance; he was a man of mark
amongst his fellows, and a courteous, genial gentleman, and beloved by all,
and his memory will be cherished by every pioneer of the Grand River Val
ley who survives him. The immediate relatives of Judge Almy who form
a part of the "' days of small beginnings," are Mr. P. R. L. Pierce, Mrs. F.
M. Lester, Hon. T. B. Church, and Alphonso Almy. His wife was a sister
of P. R. L. and I. W. Pierce and Mrs. Lester. She died in Nov., 1875,
in Canandagua, New York. In religious sentiment, the Judge was an
Episcopalian. P. R. L. Pierce.
LUMAN R. ATWATER.
He was the son Of Thomas and Betsey Atwater; was born at Burlington,
Vt., June 23, 1810. With the advantages of a Yankee common education,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

he spent his early years in his native State. But at the age of twenty-three,
thinking Vermont was a good State to emigrate from, he, with his young
wife, tried his fortune in Georgia, where he spent four years, mostly in Au
gusta and Milledgeville. Visiting his old home in Vermont again, he found
the friend of his youth, Gaius S. Deane, making preparations to remove to
Michigan. He concluded to share the fortune. of his friend; and the two
young families bade adieu to the homes of their childhood, and the friends of
their youth, and set their faces towards ','the far West." For you must
know, Michigan was then "a great way off. ' ' Railroads — those annihilators
of space — were not: " A journey was a different thing
From what it is to-day;
A toilsome and soul-wearying drag —
A long and lingering way."
Oh! it makes one poetic, when he realizeswhat a journey was in years gone
by. What preparations! What
leave-takings! What choking
sighs! What sad farewells when
friends were going to Michigan!
Why, now, a man in Vermont says
in the evening to his wife : " I have
some business that calls me to
Michigan. I shall be back in a I
week.'' Nothing is thought of it.
But it was not so then. Michigan
was " a great way off." We have)
not yet got off Atwater and Deane.
But amid tears and soul-rending
leave-takings, on the 10th of May, k
1837, they embarked on Lake F
Champlain, his own new bandan
na, as he waved it in last adieu,
dripping with his briny tears.
One day on the lake and six on
the "raging canawl " found them
in Buffalo. There they were oblig
ed to wait on account of ice in the
lake. But they were soon in Detroit, where each purchasing a yoke of oxen
and a cow, they came in backwoods style, in ten days to Lyons, where the
relations of Mrs. Deane had located. Mr. Atwater spent seven years at Ly
ons, and then removed to Grand Rapids.
An early settler in the Valley, he has been identified wijth its interests in
the infancy of its civilization, and in its development. A not very old man,
and well preserved; in the enjoyment of a comfortable fortune, we hope^he
will live to grow much older; and that instead of being " Mr. Atwater," it
.will be " Father Atwater."
Mr. A. has never been a public man, other than in the church. Ofthe M.

Luman R. Atwater.

4 MEMORIALS OF THE
E. Church, he has ever been one of the leading spirits; and has aided, to the
extent of his ability, the interests of the cause most dear-to him. As a busi
ness man, he has never made a spread, or done big things; but by assiduous
attention' to business on a moderate scale, has secured an independence,
which is as good as riches. ¦ " A man worth $500,000 is just as well off as a
rich man.','

WILLIAM BABCOCK.
Dea. Wm. Babcock came into Ionia county in 1836, with his family, and
located on Sec. 1, in Berlin.
He was a native of Massachusetts, born in Pittsfield, February 11th, 1783.
While but a boy, he came with his father's family into Ontario county, N.

William Babcock.

Sluman S.

Y., remaining there until he came to Michigan. By occupation a fanner; a
man of robust habit and strong constitution; intelligent, industrious, honest
and persevering. In 1812, he received a commission of lieutenant from Dan
iel D. Tompkins, governor of New York, to serve in the war with Great Brit
ain. He had the command of a company for a considerable tii.ie, and acquit
ted himself with credit. He was a model citizen; a man who looked to the
well-being of others; a devoted and energetic Christian and philanthropist.
He died Dec. 7th, 1871. The record of his hfe is the richest legacy he left
to his numerous posterity. L.
SLUMAN S. BAILEY.
Born at Summerset, Niagara county, Dec. 14th, 1821, and receiving a
good common school and academic education, he was designed by his parents

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

5

for professional life. But, tiring of the confinement of school, he went to
work on his father's farm, with ixhe resolution of helping his father out of
debt. At the age of twenty-three he married Miss Delia G. Starbuck, and
two years afterwards, that is, in 1846, he came to the town of Paris and set
tled down in the woods, where he had pitched his future home, and where he
made himself a farm, and made himself one of the leading citizens.
Almost from the beginning he has been in public life, as a town, county or
U. S. officer. Justice of peace; supervisor seven years; sheriff six years, and,
since 1865, revenue inspector and collector, which office he now fills.
He was one of the founders of the Kent Agricultural Society, and its Pres
ident. Mr. Bailey is one of the men whom his acquaintances delight to put for
ward, as one whom they can trust. A political haranguer once stumping the
county when Bailey was candidate for sheriff, expatiating on the merits of
the candidates, called out: " Do you know Sluman S. Bailey?" There was
a general response, "Yes." "Enough said," said the speaker, and left
Bailey without a word. We do not mean to indulge in eulogium on the liv
ing, but we hope, as some sorts of men are at a premium, that his funeral
may be far in the future.

ALBERT BAXTER.
This gentleman, who is best known as Editor of the Eagle is a Vermont
Yankee, born at Moretown,
Washington county, Aug. 3d,
1823. Family on father's side
— Baxter, Hubbard; on moth
er's, Child, Carpenter.
He received in youth a fair
education. Came West first to
Wisconsin in 1845, and one
year after (1846) to Grand Rap
ids, where he read law awhile,
and followed the business of
painter and carriage-maker.
In 1849, he married Miss El
vira Guild, daughter of the pio
neer, Joel Guild. His sad mis
fortune was the extinction of
his family by the death of his
only child, and the long sick
ness and, in 1855, the death of
his wife, whom no one has since Albert Baxter.
been able to replace.
He gives this account of himself: "Never held ofiice; never was offered
office; never asked for office; don't intend to; never had a barrel of money;
never joined a church; never got drunk; never stole a railroad; never cheated
the poor; never voted for Tilden. In fact never was conspicuous in any big
enterprise — hence have no history."

6

MEMORIALS OF THE

He entered the Eagle office as sub-editor in 1855. Since 1865 has been
editor-in-chief of the daily and weekly Eagle. He is an indefatigable
worker, and the files of that paper show that he is an able editor.
Mr. Baxter is a man naturally diffident; never enjoyed good health, and
further than his business as editor brings him into contact with mankind,
has little to do with the world. With -his heart in the right place, and his
good name where an honest man's should be, he avoids notoriety and mingles
little with the world in general. His life has been darkly clouded and very
laborious, and " never enjoyed very deeply— except those six years while
she lived."

DAVID BURNETT.
It is a pleasing task to sketch the life-history of a man whose claim to
remembrance is modest worth and
active usefulness, whose intelli
gence commanded universal re
spect, and whose amiability made
friends of all. Just such a man
as that is the one whose name is
at the head of this article, and
whose genial countenance, as the
artist here represents it, invited
confidence, which confidence was
never disappointed. If you are
anything of a phrenologist, you
will say that the picture represents
a man of cool, shrewd intellect; a
kind-hearted, neighborly man; a
genial companion, and a man who
would be loved and honored in
his family. This time phrenology
tells the exact truth — he was just
such a man. No one knew birn
but to esteem and respect him.
Without being pretentious, he was very much looked up to, especially when
engineering talent was necessary. He was, a modest man, never blowing
his own trumpet, or seeking political distinction. Well knowing the hold.
'he had on the confidence, respect and esteem of the community, he was con
tent to remain a private, useful citizen. As such he lived and died.
Mr. Burnett was a Massachusetts Yankee; born and reared at South
Hadley. Born in 1808, reared as Yankee boys were apt to be, he entered
active life with a common school education, and the trade of a builder. His
leading talent was that of an engineer. His inclinations, and the public
confidence generally kept him employed on works where such talent was
requisite. He was the engineer of this part of Michigan.
He came to Michigan in 1836, on foot from Detroit to Grand Rapids,
guided partly by Indian trails; stayed the first winter at Ada in a log shanty

David Burnett.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

with Sidney and Torrey Smith and two others; built a block house, and got
John W. Fiske to use it as a tavern in 1837; pre-empted land, but found his
claim jumped. He then came to Grand Rapids, and worked on the Big Mill
(that was to be, but never was).
A few of the structures built by Mr." Burnett will be mentioned. The
authority is a paper written by him the year before his death. The first
bridge across the Grand River at Lyons, built for Lucius Lyons in 1837. Re
built the same in 1843, and received in part payment 2,000 acres of Slate
improvement land. The log tavern known as the ' ' Fiske or Lake House, ' ' in
the winter of 1837. That house still stands, and the man who tears it down
will commit a sacrilege.
In 1838 and 1839, in company with Nathaniel Fiske and Jacob Rogers, of
Milwaukee, he built six light-houses on Lake Michigan, In 1843, built for
Scribner & Turner, the first bridge at Grand Rapids. Rebuilt it in 1852;
and again, after the burning in 1858. The bridge at Ionia, in 1847; the
stone Union School-house, in 1849; the first dam in the city the same year;
the bridge at Plainfield, in 1850; the dam at Newaygo, in 1853; the dam at
Roger's Ferry, on the Muskegon, in 1864, and the bridge at Bridgetown, in
1866; the bridges on forty miles of the G. R. & I. R. R., in 1868; the bridge
at Big Rapids, in 1870; besides other dams and bridges.
His sphere was such, that his labors mark the progress of, the development
ofthe region. His life was an active one, until infirmity compelled inaction.
He died June 22, 1875.
A summation of his character has been given before. To the family, of
which he was the beloved head.
his memory will always be dear;
and the community, where his
long head was relied upon —
where his honor was proverbial,
and his genial presence sunshine
for near forty years — will not let
him pass into oblivion. Fame he
never sought; respect he won by
sterling merit, and esteem by ge
nial amiability. The simple rec
ord of a well-spent life is better
than a glittering fame.
HENRY BREMER.
He was born in Germany, Nov.
28, 1816, and received an academ
ical education at the Normal
School, at Peterhagen, Prussia,
where he graduated. In 1829, mmy Brmer_
he emigrated to America, arriv
ing at New York, June 27. A stranger in a strange land, he took the
first work that offered; and was employed as a common laborer on the Ohio

8 MEMORIALS OF THE
Canal. He afterwards learned the cooper's trade in. Lancaster, Ohio. He
came to Detroit in 1843, and for four years taught a German school. Moved
to Grand Rapids in 1850, and started a soap and candle factory, which was
carried on successfully for a number of years. Was afterwards in a grocery
store on Canal street.
During this time,; Mr. B. had established a reputation for good business
talent, and for personal integrity. He was looked to as the leading man
among the Germans in the county; and was placed in some city offices. In
1872, he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected in 1874. The general
opinion is, that if Bremer handles the cash, all is right.
Mr. Bremer is a very genial and social person— the friend of every good
man; puts on no airs, and has kept himself where an honorable man likes to
be — above reproach or suspicion; and with the good will of all, is acting on
the principle — " Schneller Gang ist unser Leben
Laast uns Rosen aufihn streun."
E. B. BOSTWICK.
There are men whom society feels, who, when living, the community must
know, and who, departing, leave a blank. At present we purpose to notice
one of this character, the Son. E. B. Bostwick, who for some 15 years was
identified with the Grand River Valley, and who at the time was in all
probability its most honored citizen,
Bostwick, had been an Eastern merchant — -a partner in a heavy firm, in
New York, which, failing, divested him of all property which he held in
his own right. He had still some $40,000 which belonged to his wife, and
with that, and thefunds of others, he did an extensive business. He fitted
up for himself, with refined taste, a modest suburban residence, the location
of which still bears his name. He located lands extensively, laid out and
put in market that part of the city known as.Bostwick's addition; built mills
in different towns; established a colony on Crockery Creek; represented the
people in the Senate; and in short, was in all kinds of speculations, each a
brilliant scheme, when he began it, but sure to end unfavorably for him. If
he had had means, he would have done great things, but he would have
needed a renewal of his fortune once in five years. .Too ardent for a busi
ness man, he was sure to overleap himself, and his schemes were about as
sure to fail.
Generous to a fault, noble and manly, he won the deferential esteem of all,
and they honored him with their highest distinctions. His personal pres
ence was of uncommon dignity. Physically, he was a specimen of noble,
manly beauty. His mind was highly cultivated and refined — aa-dent, poetic
and enthusiastic. His social qualities were unsurpassable. When his poetic
enthusiasm could kindle itself by conversation with & sympathizing spirit,
there was an entrancing power in the man.
We loved and honored him, and we could have, wished him the best of
fortune, but such was not his lob. Scheme after scheme failed; and he found
himself involved in haiTassing law-suits, and he felt what many others have

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

9

felt when money gave out. Would you know what that is ? Once fail honestly,
and you will be thoroughly instructed. Fail as a scoundrel, in an open and
above-board way, swindling your creditors, and you are called shrewd and
keen. But if you struggle manfully to maintain your honor and do justice
to all, look out for hard words, and for costs superadded to your burden of
debt. So it was with E. B. Bostwick. He struggled, and struggled man
fully, but every move seemed to sink him deeper, until finally he started for
California as a last resource. He sleeps his last sleep on the desert plains.
It matters little how he died. While on the way he sent back letters for
publication in the Grand Rapids papers. In one of those he thrilled the
hearts of his readers by an account of "a grave by the wayside." Another
letter came, but not from him. It was from Canton Smith, his companion,
and it told of Bostwick's death, and his " grave by the wayside."

EDWARD L. BRIGGS.
Was born in the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga county, N. Y., July 30th,
1830. In 1834, his parents moved
to Michigan, and settled near Ann
Arbor. Mr. Briggs was educated
in the common schools. In 1850
he removed to Grand Rapids,
where he has since resided, with
the exception of two years spent
at the South, in the States of
Louisiana and Arkansas. In 1858
he was engaged in the survey of
the public lands in Northwestern
Minnespta, and run the first line
ofthe United States survey that
touched the Red River of the
North. He acted as timber agent
for the State Land Office, from
1859 to 1865; and a portion ofthe
time as timber agent foi; the
United States lands; and while Edward L. Briggs.
acting in this capacity, traversed
a large portion of the upper peninsula, and the newer portion of the lower
peninsula. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1872, and
served upon the committee on public lands, horticulture, and geological sur
vey. He is at present engaged in the business of farming, manufacturing,
and dealing in real estate. He was re-elected representative m 1874, and
was chairman of the committee on- public lands, and the special committee
on apportionment. He was one of the original corporators of the Grand
Rapids Chair Company, and has been one of the directors of the company
since its organization. He aided in the organization of the Citizens Mutual
Fire Insurance Company of Kent, Allegan and Ottawa counties, and has
been the president and treasurer ofthe company since its organization, in 1874.

10 MEMORIALS OF THE
Mr. Briggs is still young; a man of ardent nature and of untiring energy.
We hope it will be long before we get through with him. Now he is a farmer,
and his house is a museum, where a taste for the aesthetic and genial so
ciality have made it an attraction. Long live Briggs and his accomplished
lady.
EDWARD A. BURLINGHAME,
He was born in the town of Sterling, Windham county, Connecticut, Sept.
19th, 1832. At the age of fourteen the family removed to Union Village,
where he was employed in a cotton-factory, where he very soon became mas
ter of every process; and where, at the age of seventeen, he was promoted
to the position of "second hand in the weaver shop," of 400 looms. At
the age of eighteen, he, with the family, removed to Central New York, and
was engaged in agriculture until he entered New York Central College.
For a time he engaged in teaching; and in 1855 went to Madison, Wis., in
the interest of J. & H. Miller, publishing house, of Columbus, Ohio, in whose
employ he continued for the summer. In the spring of 1856 he came to Ann
Arbor, in the interest of the same publishing house. He was married April
22d, to Sarah A. Snell. In the fall of 1858, he removed to Janesville, Wis
consin, and became a teacher connected with the public school of that city;
and there began the study of law. While so engaged, he accepted the offer
tendered to him to- become agent and correspondent for the Ohio State Jour
nal, which position he filled during the first Lincoln campaign; and he be
came an active worker, both on the platform and with his pen. While so
engaged, he purchased a half interest in the Local Netvs and Advertiser, of
Ann Arbor, which he enlarged, changing the name to Michigan State News,
and continued its publication during the campaign. In 1861 he sold out, and
became connected with The World We Live In, a paper published in Cincin
nati. In June, 1861, with others, he started the Peninsular Courier. In
1861, Mr. B. raised a company for the war.
In 1863, he purchased a farm three miles south of Grand Rapids. Staying
there a while, he went to Illinois, where he purchased the offica of the Deca
tur Tribune, the leading Republican paper of Central Blinois, which he run
until Oct. 20th, 1866, and resumed his legal studies at Ann Arbor, where he
graduated in the spring of 1869. In the fall of the same year he commenced ¦
(he practice of his profession, at Grand Rapids. In the fall of 1872, he was
elected prosecuting attorney for Kent county, and was re-elected in 1874;
which office he filled with general approbation.
Mr. B. is still comparatively a young man; his life so far has been active
and influential; and the public have hopes of him for the future.
LOUIS CAMPAU.
This pioneer, so long affectionately saluted and known as " Uncle Louis,''
had an eventful life, bordering somewhat on romance. In this brief sketch,
the romantic can scarcely be alluded to, as the incidents would make a vol
ume, instead of a biographical article.
He was of French descent, born at Detroit, August 11, 1791. At eight

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 11
years of age, he was taken by his uncle, Joseph Campau, who promised to
rear the boy, and start him in business. For seven years his business was
that of an under servant, going to school but little. The only school educa
tion he had simply enabled him to read the French language, and to write.
His defective education he regretted; but in after life he made little effort to
remedy it. As to scholarship, he w-as simply an illiterate man. His active
life was mostly spent as an Indian Trader beyond the limits of civilization,
or as a business man on the frontier.
Until after the war of 1812, he stayed with his uncle, being promoted to
be his right-hand man. He was one of the soldiers surrendered by Hull.
After the war, he was hired by a company of Detroit merchants to dispose
of the remnants of their goods to the Indians on the Saginaw River.. This
he successfully did. He soon commenced on his own account as a trader
among the same Indians. There he stayed, with varying fortune, until the
spring of 1826; when, at the request of the Indians, he came as their Trader
to the Grand River Valley. At times, while at Saginaw, the Government
made use of him in dealing with the Indiana and making treaties with them.
In November, 1826, he came On with a supply of goods for the Indians,
and four hired men, packing his goods on ponies. He was also engaged by
a Mr. Brewster, of Detroit, to buy furs, in opposition to the American Fur
Company. He fixed his first post at the mouth of Flat River, where the rail
road depot now is; left two of his men there, and with the rest came to the
Indian village at the Rapids, on the west side of the river. Spent the win
ter there profitably, trading.
In 1827, came with his family and a larger supply of goods; built three
log cabins near the river, at the foot of Bronson street. With none around
him but the Indians and those dependent on him, he remained until 1832,
when the first emigrant — Luther Lincoln— came in.
Believing that a village or city would be at the place, he secured a piece
of land, and platted it as a village — the so-called " Campau Plat." Soon
the speculative fever found Mr. Campau a rich man; doing a great deal of
business, building extensively, the president of a bank, etc. The collapse
that followed, found him a man struggling to save a little. His property
went to assignees, and eventually some small part of it Was returned to
him. Afterwards, by doing a limited business, and by constantly selling his lots,
he lived a hfe of gentlemanly independence until within a few years' of his
death, when, his resources failing, he lived on the bounty of his friends, who '
were unwilling that he should feel poverty, which he never did.
He was twice married. His first wife died at Saginaw. His'second, a lady
of rare excellence, precsded him in death a few years, July 31st, 1869, aged
sixty-two. From the time of the death of his wife, whose character he fully
appreciated, he was never himself again. We will let a veil be over those
dismal years, when the anchor and stay of his life had gone. He died April
13th, 1871.
He was a tall, fine-looking man; walking lame, from a serious injury re
ceived when a young man. He was very courteous and gentlemanly in his
intercourse with others; an able counselor in matters of business, but him-

12

MEMORIALS OF TOE

self unable to practice on his own lessons . He was visionary, and an unwise
manager of his own affairs. He was very benevolent, and the kindliness of
his heart caused him to have many warm admirers, and was taken advantage
of by the unprincipled. He cannot be said to have been a man of bril
liant qualities; yet -he secured' in the community a respect and veneration
which it is the fortune of few to attain. He was upright in his dealings; had
finely-strung feelings and a gentlemanly bearing, which conciliated good- will
and disarmed enmity. His name will ever be one of the household words at
Grand Rapids.
He rests in the Catholic cemetery, by the side of her who was his soul-
companion while living, and whose death cast so dark a shadow over the
years he survived. Parted awhile in the land of the dying,
Met, ne'er to part, in the land of the living.
JAMES CLARK.
Mr. Clark was born at Rahway. N. J., Jan. 31st, 1799. His parents.be-
ing in moderate circumstance, at
eighteen years of age he left
school, went to New York, and
learned the mason's trade. In
1821, he was married to Catharine
Powley, of New York. He then
returned and purchased a home in
Rahway. In 1831, he came with
his family, and settled- on a farm
in Superior, Washtenaw county.
In Feb., 1834, he moved to Grand
Rapids; being the fourteenth
white family in the place. For
one year he took up his residence
at Green Lake, with no white
neighbors nearer than eight miles
in one direction, and fourteen the
other. He then pre-empted a
farm in Plainfield; leading the pi
oneer settlement, and making the
first improvements north of Grand
Rapids.
He is recollected with affection and respect, as one who was always doing
more than his share in everything having reference to the public good; mak
ing roads, building school-houses, etc. He was energetic, enterprising, and
upright in all he did; a man among men, he set a good example, and left a
good name. He died after a long illness, in 1867, leaving a wife, four sons
and four daughters, who reverently cherish the memory of the good man
departed. " Not unhonored or forgotten
Lies the man who honored manhood."

James Clark.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

13

RUFUS R. COOK.
Mr. Cook was a Connecticut Yankee, born at Hartland, Conn., September
8, 1841 . At an early age, his par
ents moved into Western New
' York. In 1829, the family came
to Michigan, and located at Avon,
Oakland county. In 1834, he
married Cordelia M. Cowles.
As considerable of the early his
tory of Otisco centers 'around Mr.
Cook and his associates, much
will be given in this article which
properly belongs to the history of
the town. He came in 1837, in
company with his brother-in-law,
I. L. Morse, Amos and William
Russell, in search of future homes.
They left their teams at a point
on the Looking Glass River, about
three miles west of Longsbury,
Shiawassee county, where they
constructed a boat of material
brought with them. In this they
were four . days reaching the
mouth of Flat River. From there they traveled on foot to the burr- oak
-plains in Otisco, where they made locations, Cook taking the land where a
village commemorates his name.
At that time, G. W. Dickinson, Daniel Horton and Patrick Kelly were the
only families within fifteen miles.
They arrived about the first of November, and Cook and' Morse started a
"shantee " on Cook's claim. After winter had fairly set in, they went home
on foot. In the February following, they returned with their wives, and
with two young lads, C. F. Morse and Calvin Gage, bringing a span of
horses, nineteen head of cattle and eighteen swine, and, as they supposed,
plenty of money to carry them through and sustain them until harvest.
Nine days of traveling in extremely cold weather, brought them to Lyons.
There they found themselves unable to pay their tavern bill, as they had no
money which the landlord would take — the first intimation they had of the
dread ' ' wild-cat ' ' collapse. ' '.Dead broke, ' ' they wended their way, paying
their bills the next fall, when the sale of some cattle gave them some money
that had a value.
In the winter of 1839-40, Cook,. Morse, Luther Lincoln and the Baldwin
brothers built the first saw mill in Montcalm county. This mill — a big
thing at the time — would cut three or four thousand feet a day. They used
to raft their lumber down the Fiat and Grand Rivers, and sell at Grand
Rapids for goods. That was the commencement of the vast lumber business

Bvfus E. Cook.

14 - MEMORIALS OF THE
on Flat River. In 1846, Cook built the hotel at the " Corners," which, under
his management and that of others, became famous for its anniversary balls.
The house was always a popidar one, whether kept by Cook, Hiram Weeks
or " Lem" Davis.
In a few years, Cook became a trader, and general business man. Mr.
Cook was possessed of the very best business qualifications; a good
judge of men; of undisputable integrity; of more than common influence
among men. He was highly esteemed and honored by his neighbors and the
community; holding for many years the offices of Justice of the Peace and
Supervisor, and other positions of public trust; and during all his life he
was the recipient of the most responsible and delicate trusts, which never
suffered by his neglect or default.
He was a man of strong convictions and decisive temperament. When
his opinions were once formed, and he had decided upon a measure, he
applied himself to it with untiring zeal; and when he moved he made his
mark. Although he held many positions of public trust, he never was an
office-seeker for himself, but he was a power when he took hold for a friend'.
Mr. Cook was a representative man of the pionesrs — an early settler of
the Grand River Valley; a. man of great public spirit,' and contributed largely
in many ways to the growth and prosperity cf the country, and was well known
and appreciated by the communities of Ionia, Kent, and Montcalm coun
ties. He was one destined by nature to be an influential and leading man
in any community in which his lot might be cast.
He died, mourned and regretted by the entire community at his home
stead in Otisco, on the 6th day of January, A. D. 1875, in the 64th year of
his age.
(Kindly communicated by the Hon. A. B. Morse.)
ALANSON CORNELL.
Dr. Alanson Cornell came with his family into Michigan, in 1838. He was
a native of Eaton, Madison county, N. Y., born in 1802. He was a gradu
ate ofthe Fairfield Medical College. After practicing in his profession for a
few years in that State, he came to Michigan, locating in Ionia county,
where he continued his practice until a few days before his death.
Dr. Cornell was a true man ; strictly honorable in all his intercourse with
his fellow men ; always ready in his profession, or elsewhere, to do a noble
act; respected, not only by his medical brethren, but wherever known. He
died at his residence in Ionia, in January, 1873. Dr. L.
FRANCIS CUMING, D. D.
The subject of this notice was born at Grand Haven, Ct., in 1798. His
father was a seafaring man. As a youth, he was adopted into the family
of Prof. Rudd, an eminent teacher in Elizabethtown, N. J. Mr. Rudd
having no children of his own, received him as a son, and educated him for
the gospel ministry. His mother and only sister, persons pf peculiar refine
ment and high position, continued their surveillanci over him in the inter-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 15
course allowed by the residence of an older brother, doing business in Pearl
street. Seldom has brotherly love been so unabated, uninterrupted until
separated by death. In the double character of father and teacher, Dr.
Rudd was always held in affectionate and reverent remembrance. While a
student he was in a home atmosphere of an elevated and intellectual char
acter. He was ordained Deacon in New Jersey at the age of 22, and Priest by
Bishop Hobart, of New York, the next year. His first settlement was at
Binghamton, N. Y., where he stayed but a short time. He was called to
Rochester in 1822, where he spent nine years. He was afterwards General
Agent of the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union and Church Book
Concern; traveled much in the interest of the Society, and for it performed
much literary labor. During this time he had New York for his center,
where he' organized Calvary Church, corner Twenty- ninth street and Fourth
Avenue, and also revived and re-organized St. Paul's church at the
Quarantine, Staten Island. In 1839, he removed to Ann Harbor, Michigan;
and in 1844, to Grand Rapids.
At Grand Rapids he was recognized as a man much devoted to the interest
of the church, which prospered under his able leadership. He was also
recognized as a sound business man, and as one whose heart was in strong
sympathy with the world and humanity. What he undertook he laid hold
of with energy, be it the business of his profession, or secular affairs. There
was in him a buoyant hopefulness, which was not always prudence. As a
clergyman or man of the world, he was always esteemed an able counselor.
His benevolence was great, and his personal honor was never doubted.
Naturally a leader, he sometimes excited opposition by his determined will,
and his fixed purpose to carry his point'. His motto seemed to be — " Be sure
you are right, and then go ahead." Almost defying, and generally triumph
ing over opposition, as a natural consequence he had his friends, arid those
who did not like him. But even his bitterest opponent respected his high-
souled manliness and energetic zeal, which disarmed enmity by his courteous
forbearance. )
In 1855, he was honored by an Eastern college by the degree of D.D. At
the breaking out of the war, his patriotic sympathies triumphing over per
sonal prudence, led him to go with the Michigan Third Infantry, as their
¦chaplain. He was with them but the part pf a year, when the dread dis
ease, consumption, warned him to come home and die. He met death as
one who felt that his life-work was well done, and with a triumphant Chris
tian faith and hope. " Preparation, change, departure, are my constant
thoughts;" " Salvation, 0 the joyful sound!" were among his dying words.
It was in August, 1862; that a mourning people followed him to his last
resting place. A wife and family of daughters survive, to whom his mem
ory is precious. His only son, the Hon. Thomas B. Cuming, had preceded
him to the grave.
In personal presence, the air of Dr. Cuming was that of an energetic
business man. His positive manner at first repelled, while intimacy proved
him a man singularly unselfish, and living in his sympathies and loves; that
he was warm-hearted, generous and affectionate. As a preacher, he was im-
36

16

MEMORIALS OF THE

pressive and earnest; as a friend, true to the death. He knew no masters
but his conscience and his God; and it is believed that the one is stainless in
the presence of the other. No more shall we look on
That reverend head;
The cross, where he is resting,
Proclaims he is dead.
But has not life tendrils
That death cannot sever?
Has it not flowers
Unfading forever?
The bright rays of wisdom
Shine o'er the dark portal,
As long as 'tis guiding,
The man is immortal.

LEONARD COVELL.
He is a Vermont Yankee; born February 17, 1816, at Cabot, Caledonia
county. At the age of six years
he lost his mother, and was given
to a farmer until he was fourteen.
He then returned to his father
and helped him on the farm until
the age. of seventeen. Then,
there being no great love between
him and his -step-mother, he took
the liberty to start independent;
went to Hartford, Conn., and
learned the trade of carpenter
and joiner.
At the age of twenty-one, in
1837, he came to Grand Rapids.
Arrived, he found his capital to
be thirty-one cents in ready cash,
and his indebtedness five dollars,
borrowed at the East. He worked
as a mechanic some eight or ten
years, when-he went into a store
one year as clerk. He then pur-
S. Parks, for $90, and commenced

Leonard Covell.

chased a stock of goods on long time of R.
as merchant. Success attending his bumble beginning; in one year he went
into general trade with D. C. Lawrence with the firm name of Covell & Co.
He bought Lawrence out, and took as a partner, H. K. Rose— the firm, Rose
& Covell. This connection lasted six or seven years. Mr. C. then. opened a
«tore on the west side, at the corner of Bridge and Scribner streets; As a

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

17

merchant, he may be called a success. Selling out his store, for four years he
was agent and director of the G. R. & I. Railroad.
At the organization of the U. S. District Court for Western Michigan, .he
was appointed Deputy Marshall, which office, he held until 1875.
He married- Permelia, daughter of Deacon Henry Stone, May 2, 1839, which
marriage is still unbroken.
' Possessed of native energy, Mr. Covell has not been in the habit of dying;
and now, with personal vigor, independence and; public respect, he is one of
the honored patriarchs, where, as a poor boy, he made a beginning in the back
woods village, of which he can say: " I have seen the whole of it, and of it
have been no small fraction."

JOHN DAVIS.
This man. mentioned in the history of Oakfield, was bom in Madison county,
N. Y., April 25. 1813; lived on a
farm until he was sixteen, with
the common advantages. At that
time he was apprenticed to a
blacksmith, at which business he
worked a good part of his life.
In 1839, he came to Michigan — to
Ann Arbor. In 1840. he came
to Oakfield, where he soon be
came one of the leading and offi
cial men of the town; holding at
different times every town office
— the factotum of the town. En
gaging at first in blacksmithing
and farming, he prospered; but
(there's a good deal in "but")
he went into the lumber business,
in which a series of misfortunes
ruined him, so far as property
was concerned. With the small
remnant that was left, he pur
chased a few acres a little out of
Grand Rapids, and set his anvil
there, as the only means of living. That, then little valued few acres, is now
a handsome property; and there he -Eves-delighting in the cognomen of
" Old Ragged," which-, to him, in Oakfield, is a pet name of endearment. _
In New. York, Sept. 28, 1836, he married Miss Betsy Brigham, who is still
^Mr Davis is a ! character-combining much of human kindness with sound
intelligence,,and.a jovial, Ught-heartedplayfulness-everybody's friend, and
no one can be his .enemy.

John Davis.

18

MEMORIALS OF THE

WM. H. DE CAMP.
Dr. De Camp is a native ofthe State of New York; bom at Auburn, Nov.
6th, 1825. His father was John
C. De Camp, and his mother Sa
rah Miller. When William was
about a year old his father re
moved to Mt. Morris, Livingston
county, where, now venerable
with years, he still resides.
The " rudiments" of his educa
tion were in a log school-house, of
very primitive kind. At nine
years of age he had pneumonia,
causing diseased action of the
lungs, which, lasting several
years, hindered his early develop
ment. His academic, education
was at Mt. Morris and Nunda.
At the age of 18, he commenced
the study of medicine with Lewis
G. Ferris, a country practicioner,
and afterwards with Dr. C. C. '
Chaffee, at Nunda. In the mean-

Wm. H. De Camp.

time, as a means of support, he made a business of teaching writing. He
attended the medical lectures at the New York University, and two courses
at the Geneva Medical College, where he graduated in February, 1847, a
little after he had completed his 21st year.- His first medical practice was
at Grove Center, Alleghany county — four years; afterwards near Nunda.
He soon became noted for his ability and success as a surgeon, and found
himself in extensive practice.
Impaired health, and inability to endure the strain on his vitahty, in
duced him to leave the place and come to Grand Rapids and open a drug
store; which he did, in company with another, in June, 1855. In Septem
ber, of 1857, they were burned out, leaving him penniless. The Doctor then
resumed the practice of his profession. October 26th, 1861, he was commis
sioned surgeon of the regiment of engineers and mechanics; with which he
served with credit for three years.
Returning from the army, he resumed his practice at Grand Rapids, where
he soon took a leading position among the physicians of the State; ¦ and
where he has won for himself a distinguished name as a surgeon. The Doctor
is not merely a medical man. His leisure hours are devoted to natural
science, in which he has won recognition in all parts of the land; and he is
a corresponding member of the leading scientific associations. His contribu
tions to Conchology are noted in the journals and recent works. Novem
ber 4th, 1847, he married Miss Emeline C. Griffith. A single son is all his
family.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

19

Dr. De Camp is still a man unbroken by years, and in extensive practice
at Grand Rapids. As his life-work is not done, we will not write his eulogy.

SAMUEL DEXTER.
The Hon. Samuel Dexter, the original projector of the first settlement made
in Ionia county, located at the
White Pigeon Land Office, in St.
Joseph county, Mich., the present
site of the city of Ionia, in the
autumn of 1832. Mr. Dexter was
a native of Rhode Island; born
Dec. 5th, 1787. Having moved
from that State with his father's
family when quite young, to Her
kimer county, in the state of New
York, where he was married to
Miss Anna Fargo, and remained
there with his family until he came
to Michigan, in the spring of 1833,
in company with five other families.
Mr. Dexter, while a resident of
the State of New York, was elec
ted a member of the Legislature of
that State, and served his district
in that capacity in 1824 and 1825.
After coining to this State, and
preparing a comfortable place for
himself and family, his next busi
ness of importance was to set about building a saw-mill, which he perfected
in the autumn of the same year. The next year, he put into this saw-mill
a small run of stones for grinding coarse grain, which proved a great con
venience to the settlement. Soon after this, and as soon as necessity required,
he commenced the erection of a flouring mill, on the present site of the
Ionia City Mills. He and his son, J. C. Dexter, continued to operate this
mill for many years; when he retired from active business, and his son
continued in it until quite recently. Mr. Dexter located some land in Kent
county — at Grand Rapids — (the Dexter fraction in the city,) but subse
quently sold it. Mr. Dexter's residence was for several years the general
stopping place of most new-comers; where they always received a courteous
reception, and the best fare the place afforded. Mr. Dexter was a leading
man in the settlement for several years; was the first justice of the peace,
and was afterwards elected one ofthe county judges; was appointed receiver
of public moneys at the Government Land Office in Ionia., in connection with
Hon. Ira Porter as register, under the administration of General Harrison,
in 1841. Mr. Dexter was a man of good natural abilities; a man of consid
erable enterprise and business; but did more for the public interest and con
venience than for himself. No man, as an early settler in Ionia county, is

hamuet uexter

20

MEMORIALS' OF THE

entitled to more credit for his liberality and public enterprise than Mr. Dex
ter. He died at his residence in Ionia, in 1856, being about seventy years of
acre. A. Sessions.

GEORGE W. DICKINSON.
This pioneer, whose labors are mentioned in connection with the. town of
Otisco, is a native of Massachusetts ;
born in Hampshire, county, Sept.
6th, 1809-. He was brought, up on
a farm. At the age of twenty, he
went into a store in Boston, as a
clerk. About two years afterwards;
he got the Western fever; and, un-
terrified by all the horrible repre
sentations of friends and wise ones,
in September, 1831, he bade good
bye to all, swung his kit, -and on
foot set out; humming to himself,
" Nothing ventured, nothing gain
ed; do something, or die." - He
"footed it" to Albany, and. from
thence,- by the "raging canal,."
proceeded to Rochester. Near there
he rented a farm; married a wife.
June 6th, 1833; and was a farmer
for three years.
In 1835, in company with two
George W. Dickinson. othej. Ummes> he startedfor 0tta-
wa, 111. Not liking, set out to return home. Having heard of the Grand
River Valley, in Dec, 1835, he came on, saw, approved, and secured lands' —
240 acres — on Sec. 21, Grand Rapids Township. Securing his own lands, he
spent some months locating for others, and returned to Rochester.; He came
on with his family in 1836. As his business was mostly locating lands, for
convenience he took up his residence at' Ionia, where. he built and kept a
boarding-house. In Feb., 1837, in conjunction with Thomas and Alfred Cornell, he went in
to the pines, north about fifteen miles, and made a squatter's claim, and pre
pared to put up a mill. The May following, they cut a road to their claim,
and proceeded, to build their mill, bringing their irons from Rochester.
The mill was. for the local supply of the settlers. In time, the supply
was greater than the demand, and a market was sought down the Flat River.
But first it was necessary, by an exploring voyage down the river, to ascer
tain whether it was navigable for rafts. With this intent, Mr. D. constructed
a raft of dry pine logs, and went down the river; noting every l>end, obsta
cle, etc. Finding that it was feasible, he next went down with a raft of
SOiOOO feet of lumber; the first that ever passed the river.
Renting his mill in Otisco, he went three miles down the river, and built a

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

21

grist mib\j which he operated several years, sold, and came to Grand Rapids,
and Settled down as a farmer, four miles from the city, on the land he at first
baughtfrom the government. There he has about him the land, Improve ^
ments, etc., of a flrst class farmer.
The old pioneer of Otisco, in a green old age, is now (1877) hale and
hearty, with apparently good years of life in him; enjoying his competence,
and the respect of the. community where his unostentatious, but useful life
has beea passed.

FRANKLIN EVERETT.
The relation he holds to this book forbids any extended notice. Born at
Worthington, Mass., January 26, 1812, his youth was passed in humble life.

fsssev J?

Frdm his father he inherited a love of books, which, in childhood, became
almost- a passion. Humble circumstances rendered inevitable a life of hard
labor; and he had but lew early advantages. But, his day's hard labor
done, the instructive book was all he cared for. Studying in the fitful way
which a hard working boy must study, if ambitious to improve, he picked

22 MEMORIALS OF THE
up what was then called a good English education, and fitted himself for
college, with little aid from teachers. He commenced school teaching at the
age of sixteen years, and, until he was twenty-three, alternated between the
farm, saw-mill and school-house. At that time he entered Colby University
(then Waterville College), in Maine, where he graduated in 1838. Adopt
ing the profession of a teacher, he took charge of the " Black River Acade
my," in Vermont. In 1840, he removed to Canajoharie, N. Y., and after
wards to Cooperstown, at which places he had charge of the academies there
located. In the fall of 1846, he came to Grand Rapids as principal of the Grand
River Academy. This soon became an independent school, known by. his
name. With the exception of brief intervals, he kept up that school until
1874. Without ambition, other than for universal scholarship, and to stamp his
impress on the minds and hearts of those under his instruction, his life has
been uneventful; cheered by the hope that his labors would be appreciated
by those he taught, and that by their loving hands, when life's work was '
ended, he would be laid to his final rest. With the evidences of their appre
ciation he is satisfied. It is for them to show whether his life has been useful
or a failure.
As a teacher, he has considered his profession the most sacred; and,
regardless of personal consequences, has sought only the mental expansion
and moral growth of his pupils, never laboring for popularity. If remem
bered at all, he chooses to be remembered as a teacher.
REV. WM. M. TERRY.
This pioneer of Ottawa county, whose personal history is the center of the
early history of that county; whose life was identified with the business, tho
social, moral and religious interests of the Grand River Valley, merits more
than a passing tribute to his memory.
Too often can we say of the personally good man: "He has left no record
behind him; he made no impress on the world.
" He lived as his fathers lived,
Lived happy, died happy, and was saved;" ,
in decent insignificance, leaving the world no better, and no worse, for his
having lived in it.
Others, again, are an influence in life, and speak to us when dead.
Mr. Ferry was no common' man, though modestly ranking himself as such.
In his own estimation but an humble individual, as long as he lived he was
looked up to by the community that knew him as a leader, and he was felt
to be a power. Briefly sketched, the record of his life is:
Born at Granby, Mass., Sept. 8th, 1796; the son of a sterling farmer, who
by honest toil reared a large family, and by example and precept enforced
the principles of virtue. He had also the inestimable advantage of a noble
and devoted mother, whose wise counsels he early learned to appreciate.
He was a slight, frail youth; not fitted for the rugged toil of a farmer's
life. He looked to the Gospel ministry as his future field of action; and the

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 23
serious question came up, "How shall I enter that field?" His father's
limited means forbade a hope for his assistance, and his father's pride of in
dependence wrung from him the promise that he would under no circum
stances solicit aid from any one, but would rely on his personal endeavor.
Compelled by necessity to defer, but not abandoning his purpose of secur
ing, a collegiate education, he entered the store of his brother as clerk, study
ing as he could find opportunity ; At the age of eighteen he accepted a place
as tutor in a female seminary at Kinderhook, under his uncle, Mr. Joseph
-Montague. He taught there one year, and then went to Plainfield, Mass.,
where he prepared for college, under the Rev. Moses Halleck; at the same
time teaching the academy at Ashfield. He entered Union College, as a
sophomore, at the age of twenty-one. Through the kindness of Dr. Yates,
one of the professors, who furnished him employment by means of which he
was enabled to pay his expenses, he pursued his college course, and gradua
ted in his 24th year. He then pursued a theological course of two years, at
Brunswick, N. J., and of six months with Gardiner Spring, D.D., of New
York; and was licensed and ordained by the N. Y. Presbytery in 1822.
He was appointed to explore among the Indian tribes of the Northwest;
which exploration resulted in the establishment of the Mackinaw Mission.
He remained at Mackinaw a year, in laying the foundation of this Mission.
In 1823, he was married to Miss Amanda White, of Ashfield, Mass., and
with her took up his abode at Mackinaw. In 1827, this mission came under
the care of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. At
this mission he devoted twelve years of incessant toil, as chaplain of the mil
itary post; teacher in the school; laboring also as a Christian missionary
among the Indians and other people at and around Mackinaw. Those who
have known his unyielding devotedness to what he deemed to be duty, and
the burden of anxiety for the Christian welfare of those under his charge,
which taxed to the utmost the energies of body and mind, can well under
stand the degree of admiration which the people of Mackinaw manifested
for him. None but one gifted as he was, could have moulded into usefulness
such material as was then adrift on the border of civilization.
Much to the regret of the Board, in the early part of 1834, he decided to
leave the Mission; and entered into business arrangements which resulted in
his settlement at Grand Haven in the fall of that year. It was on a Sabbath
that he landed; and directly he called those with him into a log house, and
led them in their devotions, preaching from the text, " For who hath de
spised the day of small things."
From this point we shall not particularly follow Mr. Ferry, as his doings
are blended with those of others, and are noted in the history of the settle
ment and progress of the county. He became more known as the leading
business man, than in his early character as a Christian teacher. He built
up an immense business, somewhat diversified in its character, becoming the
central point of business at Grand Haven; which position he held until his
death. ,
Notwithstanding the apparent absorption in worldly cares, and the great
interests of which he was the guiding spirit, he never forgot that he had con
secrated himself to the service of his God. For eighteen years he preached

24 MEMORIALS OF THE
to. the people of .Grand Haven, chargeable .to no one.. A generation grew up,
and were educated under, his ministry, who, reverenced him as their., teacher
in spiritual things. Ha was .not th; " popular preacher," signalizing him
self by sensational movements, and winning for himself a name: . No; in
his ministrations, Mr. .Ferry was the- calm, .quiet, teacher, .humbly sitting
at the, feet of , his Master, unostentatiously striving to lead in the ways of truth
and righteousness.; making; himself of no account. His labors . bqre . their
natural fruit. As long as he was their spiritual leader, no place was more
noted for its good morals and quiet religious spirit than Grand Haven. Only
the older residents, will ever realize .the full influence of the ealm, cool
preacher, Ferry.
He died at Grand Haven, December 30th,..1857, and rests in the .cemetery
at that place. The simple inscription on his, monument, dictated, by him
self, is, " First toil — then rest;
First grace — then glory."
Among his bequests were $12,000, to be known as the " Ferry Missionary
Fund," the interest, to bo used to support the Gospel in destitute places in
Michigan; $20,000 to the Lake Forest University, in Illinois; $15,000
towards the erection of 'a Female Seminary at Lake Forest; $30,000 to the
American Board. of Foreign Missions; $30,000 to the American Bible Socie
ty; $15,000 to the American Tract Society of Boston; $15,000 to the Presby
terian, Publication Society.
It was the happiness and good fortune of Mr. 1 erry, that he was asso
ciated with a. woman of uncommon intellectual and moral worth. By their
children they were looked up to with veneration — a feeling which is as hon
orable to them as it is to the objects of their filial love.
Mr. Ferry was of medium size; had the air of a quiet, rather taciturn gen
tleman; more- likely to listen than to talk; was simple in his habits and
tastes; made no display of wealth; was very accessible; was strong in pur
pose, and persevering in his course. He lived to see his aims accomplished,
and died in the full faith of a humble Christian.
In this notice*- we have drawn largely.from the funeral sermon by the Rev.
D. H. Evans. WILDER D. FOSTER.
Wilder De Ayere Foster was born at Monroe, Orange county, N. Y., Jan.
8th, 1821. His youth was passed in humble circumstances, but with the
advantage of intellectual and honorable parents, who by precept, enforced
by example, early/inspired him with the principles that guided his after life
He was apprenticed to the tin-smith's trade at Rochester, and afterwards
came with his employer to Marshall, Michigan. The breaking up of the
firm set him free at the age of 18 years. He came to Grand Rapids and
worked as a journeyman until 1845. when, in connection with another young
man, he entered. into the hardware business on a small scale. That, busi
ness he followed through, life;. his small beginning having resulted in an
immense business.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 25
It is sufficient to say that from first to last, Mr. Foster, as a business
man, was ever considered the soul of honor. In business he was diligent,
and his thoughts and plans were comprehensive. Self-reliant, and relying
on the appreciation of the public, his business principles were never in con
flict with his nice sense of personal honor. His reliance was not in vain, for
the public, by making his store their favorite trading place, -showed him that
manliness was capital in business; and in troublous times, when other firms
were crashing around him, the unbounded confidence that his creditors had
in his manly honor, enabled him to weather the-gales-; paroving in his experi
ence that integrity-is not only capital, but credit.
As a youth and young man he did not consider business and/money mak
ing the ends of existence. He felt there was a higher manhood,, and for
that he strove diligently, wasting no idle hours in -dissipation, but using the
time not demanded by the exigencies of business for solid mental culture.
The result was, intellectually he was always always, a growing man. Though
diligent in business, business was not his; mental prison. He could throw
that off his mind, and look to the world outside, and. the soul within. The
result was, he was recognized as an intellectual man, posted in what a
gentleman and man of the world should know.
He was a man singularly charitable, always respecting humanity, believing
in, trusting and loving mankind. . Slow to believe evil of any one ; • speaking
evil of none, and apologizing for human frailty; he seemed. to recognize the
good, and ignore the faults of mankind. From his own emotions he judged
human nature, and where his judgment was not* wise, it was , charity that
warped his wisdom. He was liberal to the poor, and in promoting the pub
lic interests. As an employer, he moved among his men. as. a. kind father
among his children, and his presence to them was sunshine. They loved
him. As a public man, he was put forward, never volunteered to take office.
His sound judgment and unswerving integrity were early recognized. The
public laid their demands on him. He was repeatedly elected Treasurer,
Alderman, and Mayor of Grand Rapids; was State Senator, and served the
public in many minor capacities, always with the verdict, " Well done, good
and faithful servant."
Upon the elevation of Mr. Ferry to the United States Senate, leaving a
vacancy in the lower House, by a .general impulse, all eyes were turned to
Mr. Foster, as the man for the place. He had the singular honor of taking
his place in Congress— not because he sought it as an honor, but because the
place sought him. He was re-elected, but obeyed a higher summons than
the demand of his country, before taking his seat. At Washington, his gen
eral characteristics were fully recognized, as appears from the proceedings
at the announcement of his death. At home, the serious question arose:
" Who shall fill the place he honored? "
He died, Sept. 20, 1873.
It is safe to say that no man ever had so strong a hold on the people of
the Grand River Valley, as Wilder D. Foster, or was so much missed at his
death. Without the characteristics which gen srally point to a man as a
leader, his position as leader was secured by simple good sense, by his unself-

26

MEMORIALS OF THE

ish sympathy with humanity, and his unbending integrity. His eulogy is
written on the hearts of the people who knew him. There let it-be read.

WILLIAM H. FREEMAN.
Son of Joseph L. Freeman, born at Sutton, Mass., Feb. 24th, 1831. As
Mr. F. is still a young man, we
shall dispatch him in short order.
He had advantages of a good
common education, to which after
he was 17, he added a year and a
half at Grand Rapids Academy.
He then took the California fever,
''Vf-'?' ' ' \ J '*¦ nearly died of it, but after two
years returned to Ronald with
$4,000. With this he bought a
farm and kept adding to it until
he had 400 acres. Stayed on
the farm about 10 years. Was
in the United States service one
and-a-half years, entering a= First
Lieutenant in Co. A, 1st Michigan
Cavalry, afterwards was acting
Brigade Quarter Master; was in
tiie 1st and 2d battles at Win
chester in command of company;
at Cedar Mt., on Gen. Bank's
Wm... JT. Freeman. gfaff . was at the gecond batUe aj.
Bull's Run, and at Chantilly. He was then, having risen to the rank of Ma
jor, discharged on account of sickness. Sick a year. Sold his farm and
went into another part of the town where he went into trade and platted
the village of Palo. Expended a good deal in developing the plr.ce; paid
$2,500 for a church; sold goods there nine years. Came to Muir and started
the First National Bank (now Ionia Second); was at first cashier, after
wards president; is still a director. In 1873, started a private bank at
Lyons, which he still maintains. He has also been a good deal in the lumber
business. He has been Supervisor of Ronald and Lyons. He was married in April,
1854, to Sarah Crossett.
We promised to dispatch him in short order, and claim that we have been
very sententious; but we have recorded an active and eventful life so far.
And now William, my boy, see if you cannot crown it with years of matured
manliness.

JOHN GILLAM.
Is a native of New York, born at Byron, Genesee county, June 2, 1818.
His father was a farmer and brick-maker, in circumstances of fair independ-

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

27

several years after his marriage. At

John GiUam.

ence. He lived with his father until
the age of twenty-two, he married
Miss Rosilla Taggart.
In the spring of 1845, he came to
Alpine and took up land. His life
has been uneventful, quietly pursu
ing his own business, and often
acting as an official man in hia
town, enjoying a well-earned rep
utation and independence, the re
sult of industry and personal integ
rity. His individual history would <:
be but the repetition of the general J
history of a pioneer.
JOHN F. GODFROY.
He was a native of Detroit; son
of Gabriel and Betsey May God
froy; born July 4th, 1824; died Jan.
25th, 1876.
His early j-ears were identified
with the Indian trade, under, at
first, his older brother, William — and later, the Ewing Brothers, of Indiana.
His business with them carried him all over the State and Lake Superior
country. As the confidential clerk
and agent of this firm, he became
acquainted with the principal rep
resentative men of both races; and
his integrity and intelligence gave
him position and influence among
them. His name is a familiar and
honored one among the Indians.
Leaving the Indian trade in 1837,
he settled in Grand Rapids, en
gaged in general merchandise and '¦
real estate dealings.
Always influential, he was not
an office seeker. When the public j
cailed him, he served them; once j
as recorder of the city of Grand \
Rapids. He was three times married; first I
to Lucy Genereaux, of Lyons; sec
ond, to Mary St. Aubin; and third,
to Adelaide M. Moross, who, as
his widow, survives him.
Mr. Godfrov was a man of agreeable personal presence; kind and open-

Gocl/roy.

28

MEMORIALS OF THE

hearted, genial and intelligent. He was public-spirited and benevolent;,
winning friends by gentlemanly courtesy; and confidence by his sterling in
tegrity and personal worth. Gut down in prime manhood, there is a blank
at Grand Rapids.

JOHN W. GUNNISON.
Capt. Gunnison was- but for a few years a resident in this region; butrit
was sufficient to impress on the
community the iinportantfaettnat
the residence of a man maybe all
honor to the place. ,
His reputation was no local one.
The nation felt his loss when he
met his tragic death.
His life, from his early youth,
was distinguished. Possessed of
remarkable physical graces; en-
¦,. dowed with a strong, clear and
p laborious intellect; strong in his,
0 principles and manly integrity,
P. he early attracted the attention
| of the wise— those who know
| what com be made, of a noble boy.
This is proved by a paper now ly
ing before the writer— the recom
mendation on which he secured
his position as a cadet at West
Point. Some extracts here fol
low;
" His habits of temperance, industry and close application to study are
¦well confirmed. His correct moral principles ; perfect rectitude of conduct;
suavity of mannersand gentlemanly deportment, are such as will command
the resp?ct and esteem of all who know him. He possesses a mind of an
elevated character, and his manners are dignified and manly," etc This,
after stating that he was uncommonly good looking, with fine health and
constitution, shows that the youth of twenty had caught the eye of those
whose names are on the certificate,- viz: one governor, two ex- governors, one
President of the United States (in futnro), several members of Congress,
two judges of the Supreme Court, etc, ¦
He was born in Goshenv Sullivan county, N. H> , Nov. 10th, 1812. His early
advantages were good. At the age of 18, purposing to go to college, and
lie began his preparation at Hopkinston- Academy. In 1833, he went to
West Point, where in four years he graduated- with the highest honors, and
was appointed Lieutenant, in the 2d Artillery. After the formation of
the Topographical -Engineers, he received an appointment in that corps.
After that his life was that of an engineer, in which capacity he had no
superiors. Am©ng his labors may be mentioned service in the coast survey,

John W. Gunnison.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 20
and in the exploring expeditions in the region of the Rocky Mountains. In
the Voluminous reports on the exploration and surveys for the railroad to the
Pac'fic, he figures conspicuously. While engaged in that work, he was killed
by the Indians in October, 1853, and his body devoured by the wolves. The
death of no man so young, and of rank no higher than Captain, ever made
so profound an impression on the country. The fact is, none knew him but
to love him. His attainments were great, and his whole character noble.
" To accomplish the greatest amount in the least time" was adopted in early
hfe and acted upon until Ms death.
In April, 1841, he married Miss Martha Delony, of Camden county, Geor
gia, who, as his widow, still survives. He left one son and two daughters.
For several years before his death his residence was at Grand Rapids. As
his business kept him away, the people saw but little of him. During one
of the winters, while at home, he wrote a very interesting book, about the
Mormons. He also, during his vacations, lectured before the Young Men's
Christian Association, of which he was a conspicuous memberi Delony
3-unnison, remember whose son you are.
The portrait, which accompanies, though a fine work of art, is confessedly ,
but an imperfect representation. At the time of his 'death there was no good
picture of him in existence. His young daughter* as a;work of love,' from
an imperfect daguerreotype and her recollections, painted a portrait from
which this is taken.
N. J. HARDY. . -
The subject ot this article claims our notice as a man who. Under the most
unfavorable circumstances, has placed himself in position, and won for him
self a standing in the front rank of good and honored citizens.
¦ He is of the African race; was born in Seneca county, N. Y., Jan. 9th,
1823. His parents came to Michigan in 1827, and located in Washtenaw
county. Soon after that, his father died,; and he was bound to a farmer,
near Ann Arbor. Being black, he then, of course was treated as .an Inferior
being; and no advantages were given him. In 1844, he married, and removed
to the town of Gaines, Kent county, where he has always lived, as a farmer;
owning 160 acres of land.
He had no advantages in early life, and the soul-crushing disadvantage of
belonging to a despised and slighted race. But, with- the thought that " a
negro may be a man," he educated himself, until he ranks among the well-
informed. By his moral dignity and sterling good sense he won respect,
Until he was allowed his place among the leading 'men in his town. He is,
eo far as known, the first colored man who held office in Michigan. He has
served his town in various public positions; in 1872 as supervisor. The peo
ple have forgotten that he is black, and no one is above visiting the family,
which he has educated as gentlemen and ladies, or of respectfully saluting
any of them as equals. - <
The example of Mr. Hardy may show what any one who has native talent,
ambition, character and perseverance can do; thatrespectcanbeC0»imrtH(/«7>'
and that humble origin need not be followed by humble life.

30

MEMORIALS OF THE

Judge Harlan was

BENJAMIN A. HARLAN.
born April 16th, 1837, at Fallston, Harford county,
Maryl and . He was the oldest son
of Wm. A. and Sarah Harlan,
birth- right, members of the relig
ious' society of Friends (called
Quakers), who are still living in
Wayne county, Michigan. Op
portunities for the "poor whites"
to obtain an education in Mary
land in the days of slavery were
very poor, and with the exception ¦
of three terms in a private school,.
Mr. Harlan received no education
away from his father's house and
shop. Thers he managed, with
out the aid of libraries, public or
private, to pick up some knowl
edge, for he did not feel willing
to belong to the ignorant, who,
knowing nothing, want no knowl
edge. In 1853, he came with his father
Benjamin A. Harlan. and family to Wayne ^^
Michigan, where he worked on the farm and in the shop, making brooms
and ax-handles, attending the district school a part of two winters.
In the fall .of Oct., 1857, he was employed as clerk and assistant post
master at Farmington, Oakland county, which position- he filled until July,
1858, when the postmaster's official head fell in the basket, for the. sole rea
son that Mr. Harlan would induce persons to subscribe for the New York
Tribune and other Republican papers.
Then the Rev. A. L. Hayward, pastor of the Universalist Society, at
Grand Rapids, obtained for the young man a place as clerk and student in
the office of Holmes and Robinson; Mr. Robinson being then Judge of
Probate. There he remained and studied faithfully until June 5th, 1860,
when he was admitted to the bar as an attorney at law. On Jan. 1st, 1861,
John R. Stewart, Esq., Register of Deeds of Kent county, appointed Mr. H.
Deputy Register, which position, under Mr. Stewart and his successor, he
held for ten years. In the meantime, April, 1862, he was elected Justice of
the Peace of the 3d Ward of Grand Rapids.
Before his term as justice expired, in Nov. 1864, he was elected judge of
probate for Kent county, which office he held until 1877, having been twice
re-elected by increased majorities over strong competitors.
Judge Harlan was married in 1860, to Miss Ellen M. Blakeslee, one of the
teachers in the Union School, at Grand Rapids, and they unitedly boast a
son and daughter.
The Judge is still a young man, and, as his portrait shows, might be mis
taken for a boy. We will not now characterize him. That is properly done

GRAND RIVER VALLEY".

31

when venerable age has silvered the head, or when one has taken his place
under his epitaph. He will have to behave himself differently from what he
has done, or the public will still claim his services.

about 1798 (drat

DAMON HATCH.
Mr. Hatch was born at Richfield, Otsego county, N. Y.,
not certain). At the age of fifteen
he entered a country store, as clerk.
Two years afterwards,, he was made ,
book-keeper of a cotton manufac
tory, near Cooperstown, where he
spent, five years. For several years
he was in the employ of merchants
at Cooperstown. He then went to
Elmira, and, in company with an
other, bought a flouring and saw
mill, to Which they added mills for
the manufacture of sash and doors.
These were burned. The mills, etc.,
were rebuilt. But there was a.desire
to "go West"; and go West he did.
We next find him in Otsego, Allegan
county, with a $12000 stock of goods
(a big thing, then); trading with
white people and Indians; buying
furs ; building mills, etc. Mr. Hatch
came into the Grand River Valley
at an early day, and has been in various kinds of business; nursery, saw mill,
etc. With a competence, he has retired from active business, and, a lone old
man, is biding his time.
When he came into the Grand River Valley, he was the happy husband of
a beautiful woman ; the father of an idolized daughter, and a son. But a
sad and tragic fatality has followed his family. His wife died from a surgi
cal operation for the removal of an internal tumor. His daughter was one
of the victims of a steamboat disaster. His son disappeared — no one knows
what has become of him. His son-in-law, Wells, fell dead in the street.
All that his hearthelcl dear, in ways dreadful to think of, have left him; and
now, in old age, feeble and partially paralyzed, he has nothing but wealth on
'which to lean. ,
Wherever Mr. Hatch has been, he has commanded general respect. Nat
urally energetic, he, with ups and downs, has been a successful business man.
Never seeking office, he has been content with private, life. Minding his
own business, he has prospered.
With little to bind him to the earth, in the desolation of his soul he has
the actiye sympathy of those who knew him when, in his cottage residence, -
he could welcome his friends to his happy home.
("Died March 7th, 1876.]
37

Damon Hatch.

32

MEMORIALS OF THE

ISAAC HAYNES.
This gentleman is a native of England; born in 1834 at Guildford, Surrey
^-zsmmzs--^ county. He came to America as a
/r' JP^- child in 1842, and to the Grand River
Valley in 1851. He went upon a
new farm in Alpine, on which he
; worked ; spending his winters in
teaching -school and in study. Th'jp
alternating between the intellectual
and' practical he has spent his days
"thus far.'. Early in ^ life he was
marked as one. the public had a right
to use, and. he was made use of
accordingly; serving his town' four
years as school inspector, three a9
town clerk, and seven as supervisor.
In 1872 he was elected' sheriff by the
county of Ken1,, and re-elected in
' 1874. , When, he retired from the
office' of sheriff he was '"admitted to
'the bar, and is now successfully-en-
' gaged in the -practice Of .his profes-
' sion in Grand Rapids.
On JuneSth, 1856,'he married Miss Sarah A. Dunnett, of Walker.
Still a young man, it* is to be hoped that a life honorably begun as an ed
ucator, will- not be ingl-oriously ended as a lawyer. With talents that have
marked him from his youth, and .with public esteem to back him, it is to be
"expeeted that his real life career is but just begun. We sliall see.

Isaac Haynes.

EBENEZER G. D. HOLDEN.
Was born near Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 18th, 1834. The year following he
moved to the " Indian Country," Illinois; and in 1843 to Floyd county, In
diana; andfrom thence to Kent county, Michigan, where he arrived in Nov.,
1845. At the age of 17 he started out to get his own living; acquired a fail-
education, and the trade of a carpenter.' He entered Knox College in 185:'..
where he remained two and a half -years. In 1856, he begun thestudy of
.the law inthe office of Pattisorf & Champlin, of Grand Rapids, and was ad
mitted to the Kent county bar in 1859. He was chosen prosecuting attorney
in 1862, and sejved for two terms;, and has also been for many years a school
trustee: In 1869, he, in company with "Mr. W. Bates, organized the Grand
Rapids Savings Bank, which- was incorporated in 1870, with a capital of
$100,000; 'being the first and only savings bank in that city. Mr. Holden -is
a lawyer by profession. As the Republican candidate, he was elected Secre
tary Of State in 1875, and re-elected in 1877.
Mr. Holden is a man of determined energy, and of tried integrity. Still
young, the public have need of him, and will use him.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

33

John T. ITdmes.

JOHN T. HOLMES.
Judge Holmes is a native of New York, born in Carlisle, Schoharie Co.-, Dec.
11,1815. Hisfatherwas Dea.Dan-
iel Holmes, and hismother, Sally,
daughter of the Hon. John Tay
lor, Judge of Saratoga county,
and sister of the Hon. John W.
Taylor, who for eleven successive
terms, represented the Saratoga
district in Congress, and was
Speaker of the House during the
16th and 19th Congress.
His parents designed him for
the ministry, and with that end
in view kept him at school. Upon
his informing his. parents that he s
could not be a clergyman, he was ^
re-called from school, and kept in 4
the service of his father on the 1
farm or clerking in a store. §
He married Miss Ann Pratt, |
daughter of Nathan Pratt, of
Niagara county, March 31 , 1836.
In 1837, he came to Michigan,
and on the 16th of February ,i to Grand Rapids, where he spent one year
as a clerk, before starting business for himself. For about three years he
was in mercantile business, studying law as he had opportunity. Studying
law in the office of Bridge and Calkins, he was admitted to the bar on the
17th of May, 1843. He soon secured a respectable practice, which resulted
in a very extensive one, and which continued until his elevation to the bench .
-Mr. Holmes has held the offices of justice of the peace, prosecuting attorney -
for Kent county, for four years, and, on the organization of the Superior
Court, in 1875, he was elected judge, which office he now holds.
He has also been candidate for the office of State senator and attorney-
general ; defeated with his party.
As a lawyer. Judge Holmes has been one who respected his profession ;
always noted for his strict fidelity to his clients, and as one ready, gratuit
ously to aid' where the rights, of the poor were at stake. Of this gratuitous
aid he has done more than any of his compeers at the bar. As a judge he
presides with .urbanity and dignity, and is seduring the respect of the bar
and the/public, by his thorough knowledge of law, and his rigid impartiality,
holding the scales on even balance. Having found his apprbpriate place, it
is to be hoped he may long retain it.
The portrait of the Judge which accompanies, tells just what he is — a jovial ,
companionable man; a trust-worthy citizen, and one. who does his own think
ing; who can look you square in the face, and not drop his eye: who can
shake you warmly by the hand as a friend, or hold you on your guard in
logical contests at the bar.

34

MEMORIALS OF THfi

Ezra S. Holmes.

EZRAS. HOLMES.
Born at Wilson, Niagara, county, N. Y., July 15th, 1819; was educated
at Oberlin College, Ohio, and at the
Syracuse Academy; studied medi
cine at Medina, N. Y., supporting
himself by dentistry. and teaching;
in 1845, went to Hamilton, Canada,
where he practiced as a dentist.
Afterwards,' in 1849, he formed a
partnership with 0. W. May, of
Lockport, N. Y. Health failing
he left his profession in 1855, and
for some years was engaged in out-
of-doors occupations; In 1861, he
resumed his professional business at.
Wilson, where he was postmaster.
In 1865, he moved to Grand Rap
ids, where he still follows the pro-
I fession of dentist. He is brother
I to Judge John T. Holmes.
Mr. H. is not a mere professional
man. He is a student of Nature,
and as such has won recognition in
the scientific world, and his con
tributions to natural science are respectable. He is a prominent and_active^
¦member of the Kent Scientific
¦ v Institute.

JULIUS HOUSEMAN.
A German by nativity; born at
Zechendorf, Bavaria, , December
8th, 1832; His father was a man
ufacturer of silk arid cotton, and
also merchant. His early educa
tion was common and mercantile;
was in his father's employ until
his coming to America at the age
of 18. Then he went to Cincin
nati, Ohio, and until 1851 was in
subordinate employ. Then he
traded unsuccessfully one year at,
Battle Creek.' In 1852, with no
capital, in partnership with an
other, he opened a smallclothing '
store at Grand Rapids. That has
risen to a mammoth establishment, from which he has lately retired with
an independence.

Julius Horn

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

35

_ While engaged m building up his own fortune, the public has not allowed
him to remain a private citizen. Never a seeker, he was twice chosen alder
man— 1862 and 1870; was a member of the Legislature in 1870; and has
served two years as mayor of the city— 1872 and 1874. ,
Mr. Houseman is a man with a fine physical organization; of sound busi
ness talent, and of social disposition. He has always kept his honor where
Caesar said his wife's must be— above suspicion. With a clear head and pub
lic spirit, he is much looked to for counsel. Still in his prime, much is ex
pected from him.

HENRY H. HOLT.
Henry H. Holt was born March 27, 1831, in the village of Camden. Oneida
county, New York. In 1852, he removed to Michigan, and settled in Kent

Henry H. Holt.
county, near Grand Rapids. He received an academic' education. In 1855,
he commenced the study of the law at a law school in Poughkeepsie, New
York, where he remained one year, and then entered the Union Law
College, at Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated, and was admitted

to

36

MEMORIALS OF THE

practice in July, 1857. He returned to Michigan soon afteri and in Septem
ber of that year, was admitted to practice at Grand Rapids, Judge Martin
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 of the new .county, and held the office four years, being
re-elected in 1860. He subsequently held various offices of. trust in Muske
gon county, and in 1866, was elected to the lower House of the State Legis
lature, and was re-elected in 1868, and again in 18/0. During the latter two
terms, he was the chairman of the Committee oh Ways and Means. He was
also a member ofthe Constitutional Convention of 1867. Mr. Holt was elected
Lieutenant-Governor of Michigan in 1872, and re-elected in 1874., In
1873-4, Gov. Holt made quite an extended tour of .Europe; and in 1875-6,
he again visited the Old 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. [Communicated.]

SAMUEL B. HORNE.
As Capt. Home is still but a young man, we shall modestly say but little.
He was born at Ferbane, Kings'
county, Ireland, March 3, 1843.
In 1849, his parents moved to
America, and settled in Winsted,
Conn., where he obtamed his edu
cation in the local schools. In
Crofut and Morris' " History of
Connecticut during the Recent
War," we find on page 46, the
following notice :
"The great Winsted meeting
resulted in company' filled and offi- .
cered during the week. The first
who enHsted was Samuel B. Horne,
as a private, only seventeen years
old. "Note. — Young Home, who
was probably the first volunteer in
Connecticut, was small of his age,
and would have been rejected, had
it, not been for his importunity.

Samuel B. Horne,

He served faithfully during the three months' service; re-enlisted, and bore
a musket for eighteen months; was then promoted to a captaincy. He was.
-in twenty-five battles; was wounded three times, and served at the close,
of the war as provost marshal of the 18th Army Cprps."
On his return from the war, he commenced studying law at Winsted; and

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

37

was admitted to the bar in 1869. The same year he was admitted into
partnership with the Hon.' Wm. K. Peck; and came to-Grand Rapids. Judge
Peck soon died, leaving the young lawyer1 to go on alone. He has .suc
ceeded in securing a good practice.
- As he is still a smooth-faced boy, we will simply express the hope, that his ,
final biographer may give- a good account of him.

HIRAM JENNISON.

been identified with the business and

This gentleman, who has so long
political interests of the region
near Grandville, was bom May
11th, 1813, at Canton, St. Law
rence county, N. Y. The circum
stances of his early life were un
favorable, and in youth his. ad
vantages we're slight. Attaining
his majority, he pushed off to
Michigan to sink or swim with
fortune; having nothing, as capi
tal to start upon, but a pair of
good hands and a supply of
pluck. In 1834 he came to Grand
ville, and for five years, wielding
the ax and saw, be worked for
Brown & Brittan in the lumber
-woods. He then procured a One-
fourth section of land, where he
now resides, and commenced
making for himself a farm.
About the year 1844, in connec
tion with his brothers — Luinan and Lucius — he commenced lumbering ;
bought the mill and land where now is the flouring-mill. In 18.64 they
built the flouring-mill. The firm has been in extensive business; and a
thriving little village, called from their name— Jennisonville — has grown up
around them, and mainly dependent on the mills run by the Jennison brothers.,
Mr. Jennison has been an active man, otherwise than in his own and the"'
company's affairs;' serving often as a town officer, and at one time ' repre- -
, senting" the people in the Legislature.
In 1838, he married Miss Mary Beardsley, who is still the companion of
his green old age. A large family and independence are not without their
interest,- as whitening hair, and the et ceteras which come in .the train of '
years,. are monitions that soon the slippers . and the quiet pipe will succeed
the turmoil 'of business, necessarily laid aside. As in all probability there
.are yet in him still years of energetic action, we will not give his portraiture i
further' than shown in the picture accompanying. That will tell any one
that Mr. J. is a man who will not die until he is obliged to; and that he
has in him the material which means business, ahd a life which has- an aim
in view, and which is not without manifest- results.

Hiram Jennison.,

38

MEMORIALS OF THE

CAPT. ABIJAH LUCE.
Born at Martha's Vinevard, May 6th, 1781; died at Grand Rapids, May
3d, 1875.
His father was a ship-owner and captain, and young Abijah was bred to
follow in. his father's track. He had the advantages of a good common
education, and of the example and counsels of a mother of rare excellence,
and whom he deeply venerated. His father died when he was young, and
we find young Abijah succeeding to the business — captain and ship-owner.
In 1835, he changed his business from sea to land; he removed to Bristol,
It. I., and invested in a cotton factory. By the burning of the factory and
by losses in mercantile business, he found himself divested of his fine for
tune, but a small remnant of which was left. With that he came to the
Grand River in. 1845, and settled in Paris, one mile south of Reed's Lake, ,
where he developed a valuable farm. Age and infirmity compelled the dis
posal of his farm. He moved into the city, afterwards to Virginia, from
which he came back to die.
Capt. Luce was a decided character; with a very ¦ strong, energetic mind,
and the habit. of coinmand. He was a fish out of water, in Michigan; sur
rounded by people who did not understand his habits, engendered by a life
of command On the sea. Those who really knew him, found him a .genial,-
warm-hearted man; fond of heated debates, and firmly attached to the one
who could bring steel to clash with steel. He was a.leading spirit in the so-
called "Dorr rebellion," in Rhode Island, which resulted in giving a liberal
constitution to the' State, instead of -the old illiberal " charter." In the Con
gressional document on the "Dorr rebellion," his name appears often, as
one of the most cpnspicuous in
the movement.
It cannot be said that he ar
rived at his proper destination.
It was his misfortune that he left
the sea coast, where he was con
spicuous among a congenial peo
ple, for rural life in Michigan,
where he found few who could
sympathize with or understand
him.

RANSOM LUCE.

Ilansom Luce.
father until his death, March 9th, 1846.

Ho is only surviving son of
Marston Luce, who was one of the
early settlers of G'rand Rapids,
and who was for some years keeper
of the Eagle Hotel. , He was
bom at Middlebury, -Genesee
county, N. Y., Feb. 28th, 1822;
and followed the fortunes of his
The family came to Michigan, in.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

39

1839. By the death of his brother and two sisters, he was left alone with
his mother; and set himself up as a merchant, in the grocery business.
Possessed of rare sagacity as a business man, he speedily advanced- in for
tune until, in 1856, he found himself able to erect the block of stores which
bears his name, on Monroe street. This was the first, venture upon a large
block of stores in Grand, Rapids. Though in later years eclipsed by large
and more pretentious structures, for many years it was the, "big thing" in
the city. In fact, it was a heavy venture, as the -sequel proved; the wants
of the place then demanding no so massive buildings.
That Mr. L. is a successful business man is not his particular merit. As1.
one who looks to the public interest, and to the welfare of humanity, he has
a stronger hold on the community. He has been a laborious and watchful
member of the city counsel for many years; and has a heart for every work
that is for the general good, and a hand ready to aid. . He has no trumpet to ,
blow for himself, and will let no .other person blow one for him. He belongs
to the old, rather than to the modern school,, caring little for the vanities: of
life, but prizing the realities. Long may he wave; and may his shadow
never be less. We need such men to give life to business, and to guard the, .
public interests.

TRUMAN H. LYON.
This man so long and so favorably know as a prominent actor, in the
Grand River Valley, was a native
of Vermont; born at Shelburn,
near Burlington, February 24,
1801. He had in youth but the
common advantages; was appren
ticed to the business of a cloth-
dresser, which business he fol
lowed in Vermont until he was.
twenty-one, and afterwards on
his own account, at Hopktnston,
St. Lawrence county, N. Y.
. In 1823, he married Miss Lu-
.. cittda Farnham, who survives ,
him. He early developed business tal
ent, and was looked to by the pub
lic as, one to be made use of. ]
Though a young man, he was j
placed in official station at Parish-
ville — was justice ofthe peace, etc.
In the fall of 1836, he came
to Michigan;- first stopping at
Lyons, Ionia county, where he kept a hotel; was justice of the peace, side
judge, and an official man generally; was in United States employ, superin
tendent of the light-houses on Lake Michigan; letting the. contracts for
, their construction.

Trumam H. Lyon.

40

MEMORIALS OF THE

He moved to' Grand Rapids in 1840, where heltept a public -house, and did
business as a merchant. As a tavern-keeper, he kept the Bridge Street
House two years, and afterwards the " Rathbun." For many years he was
postmaster. 'He also carried on business as a cloth-dresser; and, on a small
scale, woolen manufacturer. He was always a man that the. public looked to
as one to use, and they used him in various ways. In 1850 he was sent to
.the State Senate. He was a leading Free Mason — master of the lodge, and
much honored in the order. He was always full of business, pubhc and pri
vate, until laid aside by the terrible disease — sciatica — which finally, having
exhausted all the powers of nature, ended in not unwelcome death, Septem
ber 14th, 1872. . '
The character of Mr. Lyon is easily summed up. With no strikingly bril- >
liant qualities, his plain good sense, his business'-capacity, his clear judg
ment, and personal integrity gave him a marked position among the leading .
men. He was an able counselor, public-spirited, and true to every public
trust. He never sought to shine, and never put himself forward; was affa
ble, courteous, and generous-hearted; placed himself above nobody; and
bowed to nothing but superior worth. His talent was eminently practical,
and his judgment discriminating and clear.
' He raised a large family, who have taken prominent places as business
men. One of his sons — Lt. Darwin — lost his' life in the service of his country
during, the war; His only daughter — Mrs. Yale — preceded him in death.
Five sons remain. , Long prominent, and highly respected, his exit left a
blank in the community. All felt the loss of the worthy old man, whom
everybody knew and esteemed.

His life and doings are a part
of the history of the region;
Leaving no enemies and many
friends, his memory will be
cherished.

Ilri

, " , Daniel McConnell.
ment of a leading jeweler, of Rochester
three and four years, leaving finally on

DANIEL McCONNELL.
The subjectof this sketch was
born at Newbury, England,
on the 17th day of March, A. D.'
1827. His father, a dissent
ing clergyman of the Metho
dist denomination, reared a
large family in comfortable cir
cumstances, and removed with
them to America when Daniel
was but five years old, locating
at Rochester, New York. At
the' age of eleven years. Daniel
was placed in the establish-
where he remained between
account of poor health which

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

41

necessitated a more active occupation. At the age of fifteen years, he was
sent from New York to Lexington, Missouri, with a stock' of goods to
sell, which he closed out in a year. Soon after, he came West, to Grand,
Rapids, then a thriving but isolated little village, and spent some time,
returning, however, to New York. Early in the spring of 1846, he enlisted
in Company I, 10th United States Infantry, to serve in the war with Mexico.
The next week, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant, and sent to
New Jersey, in the recruiting service. He served with credit during the war,
in the army under General Taylor, rising to the rank of Sergeant-Major.
Mustered out, he came to Grand Rapids to reside, and began a mercantile
business. In 1850, he married Elizabeth L. Mundy, daughter of Judge'
Mundy, of the Michigan Supreme Court. The monotonous life of a mer
chant was diversified by an expedition to California, and by amateur military
operations. He organized and commanded the Valley City Guards, a company
that gave the United States four Generals, several 'Colonels, and a great-
number of Captains, Lieutenants, and minor officers. His military zeal and
experience secured his promotion to the rank of Colonel in Michigan Militia,
and as such the war of the rebellion found him. At the breaking out of the
war, Col. McConnell and the Valley City Guards responded to the call for
three months' men. The Colonel was authorized to raise the Third Michi
gan Infantry. Before the regiment was full, the order came changing the ,
time from three months to three years. Most of the men already raised re-
enlisted; the regiment was soon filled, and moved to Washington, Col.
McConnell commanding. But the skill ancl experience which the Colonel
had acquired in Mexico were not destined, to be long available in this new
and more important field. His health became seriously impaired, and, after
nine months' service, be resigned his commission and returned to Grand
Rapids, not, however, without haying seen active service at the battles of
Blackburn's Ford and Bull Run, where his regiment, did not share in
the general demoralization but
retained its discipline, and with
another equally fortunate, had the
honor of covering the retreat.
Since the war he has never fully
recovered his health, and has not
engaged in active business. After
anactive and adventurous career,
having served his country in two
wars, he has retired to peaceful cit
izenship, retaining, however, the
firm step and soldierly bearing
which are the results of his nlili- ;
tary education. JAMES M'CRAY.

James McCray, in the history of
the, town of Wyoming, is spoken £/lt/Y*+f<^*'&s M'<*aV-
of a? the pioneer iron founder.

He was of Irish descent, born at Glassdrum-

42 MEMORIALS OF THE
mond, April 3, 1791. November 4th, 1817, he married Jane Marshall. They
came to America in 1821, settled in the State of New York, where they
remained until 1838. At' that date, with his family Mr-. McCray came to
Grandville, Mich., where he built the first foundry and machine shop in
the Valley. While at Grandville he built the first steam engine that was
made west of Detroit for the steamboat "Paragon," that ran on the Grand
River . In the winter of, 1844-5, he removed to Grand Rapids, and in co
partnership with Daniel Ball carried on the same business on the bank of
the river. ,
He died suddenly May 31st, 1851, while sitting in his chair after supper.
Mr. McCray was a thorough mechanic — quite ingenious. He was rather
a silent man, modest and unassuming in. his bearing; recognized as thor-:
oughly honorable; a good and worthy citizen, seeking no prominence.
His wife, at the good old age of 82, died Aug. 18th, 1875.
The family were— Ann (Mrs. Myron Royce), bom at Killmaen, Ireland,
June 20th, 1820. ' Died at Wyoming, Feb. 21st, 1870.
George, who died young.
Gilbert Marshall, born at' Skaneateles, N. Y., May 13th, 1826, was" 12
years old when the family came to Michigan; was bred to his father's busi
ness, a.t which, he became a master workman. In 1854, he and his brother
Went into business for themselves, running a machine shop, and doing an
extensive business on Waterloo street. In 1858, he was elected Mayor of
Grand Rapids, otherwise he has not been an official person. After afew
years building steam engines, etc., the McCray Brothers closed their busi
ness, sold out, the brother going to the war, and G. M. taking his old place
as foreman in the large foundry, which began with his father. As Mr.
McCray is still one of us, in his prime, I pass him with the remark, that we
wish we had. more like him.
Stewart B., born at Skaneateles, N. Y., July 16th, 1828, the Siamese twin
brother of G. M., who together were always known as the McCray boys;
their identity seemingly inseparable; was bred as was his "brother, and their
fortunes were always identified. In the war, he was' Second Lieutenant in,
Co. D, 2d Mich. Cavalry.-, From exposure and hardship, for which he was
unfitted, he contracted disease of the lungs, which compelled his retirement
from the service, and resulted in his death from consumption Aug. 5th, 1865.
He was a man ofthe most amiable character, very intelligent, and very
much beloved. He left a wife and young family.
Sarah— wife of Andrew Furgerson, Grand Rapids.
' Mary Jane — the youngest, the idol, died single.
JAMES M'KEE.
He is a Vermonter; born at Arlington'. June 19th, 1823. His father was a
physician. In early life he had every advantage for personal development;
studying at Bennington and Manchester Academies. He entered Yale Col-
. lege at the age of 18 — one year in advance — graduated at 21; went to New
York City and studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1848. The next year
he came to Clinton county, Michigan, where he practiced as a lawyer. In

GRAND RIVER VALLEY,

43

1850, at Grand Rapids, he entered into partnership with John Ball in the
law and real estate business; in
which relation he now stands. As
a public m,an, Mr. McKee has
only identified himself with the
educational interests of the city
of Grand Rapids, having been for
twenty years a school officer.
In 1856 he was married to Miss
Hannah Langdon.
As a lawyer, Mr. McKee has
appeared but little at the bar. Of
a, retiring disposition, he seeks no
publicity; and he believes a man
may be a man, and not find his
public esteem in the honors of
office. He is one of the men who
know themselves, and knowing
he is not by nature fitted for fo
rensic strife, has kept himself out
of the arena, maintaining self-
respect and public esteem.

James M'Kee.

WARREN P. MILLS. /, '
This gentleman, so long one of those whom everybody knew,, and whose
. genial presence was the life of the social, circle, was born at ,pgdensburg, N.
Y., March 15, 1812. Of his early
life, we know but little. This
much is certain, he was not among
the favorites of fortune, but had,
in musical phrase, " to paddlehis
own canoe." He came to Grand
Rapids in 1836, Where he ever
after resided. We first know of
him as a grocer, keeping a small
store at the foot of Pearl street;
soon, in connection with his broth
er, running a small hardware store
at the same place, with W. D.
Foster as their chief workman.
Sold out to Foster <fe Parry— it
was the beginning of the im-
, mense hardware .establishment
with which the honored, Foster
was so long identified. For a Warren P. Mills.
considerable time, Mr. Mills was
in different kinds of mercantile business, which he gave up for specula-

u

MEMORIALS OF THE

tion, in no regular line, but engaging in what promised success — accumula
ting a handsome fortune.
Mr. Mills though sedulous in affairs of his own interest, by no means was
a mere machine for making a fortune; but had no small hand in public
affairs. Eminently social, he regarded what was for the good, and especially
the comfort and happiness of others; and was ever on hand' when wimted, to
further any good cause. He served the public in various capacities — as city
alderman, president of the Kent County Agricultural Society, etc., and
always to the, public satisfaction.
He was twice married; first, to Alice, daughter of "Darius Winsor, who
lived but a few years; and, second, to .Miss Helen M. Downes, who, as his
widow, survives him. .He left three children — two sons and one daughter.
His death occurred July 28, 1868. A large concourse of -people tes'i.ied
their respect at his funeral, when he was buried with the highest Masonic"
honors. At the opening it is intimated that Mr. MilLs was a character. It is hard
to make him, by the pen, live again. He was, as his picture says, an un
commonly good looking man; of commanding presence, but the furthest pos
sible from being repellant. Jovial to the last degree, in his bluff, hearty
way, he had a mirth-exciting word for every one; so much so that the very
sight of him coming, was a guaranty that fun was ahead. His humor was
irresistible; but it was not so much what he said, as the inimitable way of
his saying it. Naturally it will be inferred that he was a man of strong
pympathies, which is but the simple truth. He was the one to whom -the
appeal in distress was never directed in vain. Malting no pretensions lo
goodness, and despising all show of the self-satisfied spirit, he disregarded
conventionalities, and often w; s
contented to appear to less advan
tage than in his real character.
All follies of his life were forgot
ten, and his virtues remembered,
when death took him from sight.
He rests under the tall granite
monument in Fulton Street Cem
etery.
JOHN E. MORRISON.
The subject of this article was
one of those who, in, 1833, settled
in Ioniacounty. His birth was at
Reading, by Seneca Lake, in New
York, July 10th, 1805. He was
raised in Wayne county^under
unfavorable circumstances. At the
age of twenty he moved -with his
father to Oakland county, Mich.
At the age of twenty-eight, with
Sijs wife, one child, and some property, lie made his appearance at Ionia.

John & Morrison.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

45

The journey— driving cattle, sheep and hogs— occupied nine days; of course,
camping in the woods.
Mr. Morrison has always been a farmer; formerly in Berlin, now in Ionia.
He has held town office a good deal; Berlin making use of him as supervisor,
justice of peace, etc. In 1835, when all the county was a town of Kalama
zoo county, he was elected clerk. When Ionia county was organized, he was
elected treasurer.
May 4th, 1830, he and Miss Eliza McKelvy took each other for better or
worse; and still (1876) remain together, in spite of all. facilities for divorce,
and through the courtesy of Death, Who seldom allows so long a union.
They do not look as though they were, with trembling step, treacling on for
bidden ground; but rather as though, the green old age 'they are passing was
their own. We have a special liking for old things; especially for marriage
relations of long duration; and we especially venerate the old man and wo
man who, having passed a long life together, lovingly die at the same time.
When the fifty years Comes round, please remember Us in your cards of
invitation. The baby boy Mo"rrispn brought with him, is Joseph Morrison, of Stanton.

LYMAN MURRAY.
Born at Brutus, Cayuga county, N. Y., Nov, 13, 1819; but raised in Sen
eca county, Ohio, he grew to man
hood under unfavorable circum
stances, with little chance for ed
ucation. He early' acquired the
habit of reading, and aided only
by books, picked up a fair educa
tion, so that we find him quite early
a teacher. In that business he has
been engaged more or less until s
recently. J
In 1846, he left Ohio and came 3
to Kent county. He had been twice *|
married before coming, his first j
wife living but a short time. With
his second wife, Mary Jane Thomp- ||
son, he located in Sparta, but two ||
years afterwards removed to Al
pine, where he now '(1876) resides
— a fanner.
The people in Alpine have ever
been disposed to recognize Mr.
Murray as one of their leading
men: and he has, perhaps, more than any other man, been kept in public
business — almost a stereotype supervisor. ,
But Mr. Murray's public service has not been confined to the town. For
.four years (1867-70) he served in the House of Representatives; was a mem
ber of the Constitutional Convention in 1867, and senator in 1874.

Lyman Murray.

46

MEMORIALS OF THE

Mr. Murray is a very unpretentious man, who bears the title of "Hon."
very modestly. His years do not admonish him that his'life-work is "by any
means completed; and he is' not old enough to talk about before his face.

JAMES MILLER.
He was bom at Winchester, Conn., Feb. 11th, 1823. He is a lineal, de
scendant of Thomas Miller, who emigrated from Birmingham, Eng., about
1650. He is the son of Joseph Miller, who, for twenty-seven years, was a

James, Miller. >
lawyer in Connecticut; then removed to Richland, Kalamazoo county, where*
he died, in 1864. , ' ;
Mr. Miller in his youth had the advantages of the common school, and a
good academic education. - Besides, he had the rare advantage of having an
able and scholarly father, whose. .wisdom he early learned to appreciate. His
father was his tutor in his earlier studies and in his profession — the law; and
he feelingly recognizes that guiding spirit in the establishment of his moral
principles. Applied to for the data from which to give a sketch of his life, Mr. Miller

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

47

said his life-history was a tissue of negatives. He cpuld tell what he had
not done, and gave a long list. "He had not held office nor sought it."
(There he was in error'; he was justice of the peace, and a good one.) That
he had not been a political aspirant, we all know. But the party to which
he belongs— the wrong party in Kent county to win— have by sheer force
compelled him to be their candidate for the most honorable offices. " As a
lawyer, he has not promoted quarrels, but has sought to make people behave
themselves." That's true as preaching. " He' had riot cheated, swindled or
' deceived." We all knew that before he said so. He continued' the state
ment of what he had not done much further; but when it came to telling
what he had done, he said, " Nothing; my life is all negative."
At the age of twenty-one he commenced the practice of law at Grand Rap
ids. In 1846, he married Miss Ada Smith — the same spoken of as the one
, who gave name to Ada.
He has always remained at Grand Rapids; and has secured the reputation
among the lawyers of being one of the few who arealways right. Independ
ent in thought, he had rather be right than be president. "His best satis
faction he finds in books; and while he takes a hopeful and general interest
in his fellows and their affairs, and diligently studies and watches the grand
unfoldings of the age, lending a hand in the way of .aiding and fostering its
developments, when necessary, he is not from habit, circumstances, or pre
dilection, disposed to meddle overmuch in matters which will be, as well
taken care of without, as with his effort." This quotation is from Miller him
self, and who knew better than he ?
" 0 wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us." *
Miller has not that gift. When
he gets to be an old manwe wi 11 N
tell him what we think of him . Un
til then, we hope he will go on, just
about as he has done-r-working for
his own interest and the good of
society — promoting peace, and
bringing sinners to their knees. ^

JONATHAN E. NASH.
Mr. Nash is a native of Massa
chusetts; born at Greenfield, May
28th, 1820.. His early advantages
were good. At the age of twenty-
six, as Yankee young men are apt
to do, he " came West," and found
himself in Sparta, Michigan, where
, he pitched his shanty, took irp land,
and engaged in subduing it, and in
lumbering. In time, he put up a
Saw-mili; and, as is generally , the case
38'

1. I
Jonathan E. Nash.
that was the nucleus of a littlo

48

MEMORIALS OF, THE

village, which has deveoped into what is now the snug place— Sparta
Centre. He has been much in public life— supervisor, justice of the peace, etc.; a
general factotum of the J own. If the prayers of those who know him best
avail, he will live forever; for they have become so accustomed to swear by
Jonathan, that they will be slow to adopt another form. For further notice,
see the history of Sparta.
ABEL PAGE.
Abel Page was born in Rinlge, N. H., Jan. 30, 1785. In 1807, he married
i_^asgSfs^s^ Miss Zilpha Barnes, daughter of a
prominent farmer of Vermont, .
and located at Rutland, in that
„ State. In 1836, his fortune hav
ing been suddenly swept away by
an Unfortunate indorsement for a
friend, he emigrated to the terri
tory of Michigan, and located at
Grand Rapids. . There, although
^ over fifty years of age, he applied
jf? himself cheerfully, energetically
p, and , successfully, by agriculture
j| and the locating of lands, to the
fe recovery of the competence so
necessary to the oomfort of his
wife and six children.
Deacon Page had a delicate.re-
finement of nature which might
-^ys "sxswgs /ss^xs^v^.* seem to unfit him for the rough
Mel Page. ¦> experiences of a pioneer life; but
liis industrious and enterprising disposition, coupled with a magnificent
physique, mads toil no burden to him; and he delighted in the rural life
which afforded an opportunity to read fresh wonders every day from the
open book of Nature. He varied his more hardy labors by the cultivation of
fruit and flowers, for which he had a passionate fondness, and which throve
marvelpusly under his sympathetic touch. He planted the first nursery in the
Grand River Valley, and for years supplied the early settlers with the choicest
varifiies of grafted fruits, and With plants rare in this western region. Dea
con Page was one ofthe founders of the Congregational churcli in Grand Rap
ids, and for twenty years labored, heart and hand, with his pastor, the Rev.
.Tauies Ballard, for the temporal and spiritual advancement of his beloved Zion.
His piety, though entirelyunostentatious, was eminently practical, imparting
a .rare sweetness to his manly strength of character, and making his daily life
a. quiet example and an abiding influence. His active membership with the
Sabbath school and Bible class was life-long'; he was an earnest student ofthe
scriptures, and an able expositor thereof. No weather was sufficiently severe
to detain him from the appointed services in the, house of God; even when he

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

49

considered it too inclement for the exposure of his family and horses, he would
traverse on foot the two miles through the woods between his home and the
church. Being social and kindly in his nature, he made any place or assem
bly brighter and better for his presence; and, at his death, the whole com
munity felt that a truly good maii was gone to a home for which his earthly
pilgrimage had been a steady preparation. The first illness that he had ever
experienced was that which proved fatal, in April, 1854. His estimable wife,
a true helpmate, had preceded him in the year 1849; and the eldest son, Wil-
liam^ fell a victim of cholera, at Detroit, in 1841, at the age of twenty-five.
Of the other children, Sophia married the Hon. Daniel D. Bacon, of Monroe,
Mich., and died in the year 1854. Loraine became the wife ofthe Hon.
Wm, A. Richmond, of Grand Rapids; and Harriet married, Dr. .Cyrus Knapp,
of Cincinnati, Ohio. Abel T. inherited the homestead farm, near Grand
Rapids, and Aaron B. located at Grand Traverse, where he still resides.
Com.
Death levels us not — the body may lie
Entombed in the earth, but that is not to die;
The tomb is not lowly that is, hallowed by tears,
And whose record of hfe is of deeds, and not years.
The grave closes not o'er the good and the wise,
They still live on earth, and they live in the skies,

LOREN M. PAGE.
' For a long time, Mr. Page has been one of those whom everybody knew,
being one of the pioneers — often
, an official man. He, was born
at Concord, Vt., March 29th,.
1811 ; was brought up on a farm,
, with the common advantages of
Yankee boys, until he was six
teen. ' Then receiving a severe
wound, which was likely- to ren
der him inefficient on a farm, he
learned the trade of painter; serv
ing an apprenticeship in Canada,
and working there until the age
of twenty- three. Then he re
turned to Vermont, where for
.three >years he spent his time
alternating between painting and
teaching, as is very common in
the New England States. There
the schools in .the winter are
taught only by young men.
In 1836, he heard flattering re
ports' concerning Michigan, and
especially of the Grand River Valley, and came on, arriving at Grand

Loren M. Page.

50

MEMORIALS OF THE

Rapids, Sept. 7th. He got work with Aaron Sibley, whom the next year he
boughtout; going into trade in groceries, etc., on Monroe street. The same
year he married Miss Jane Soper. ,,
A Hfe of hard labor has had its varied t fortune) reverses and disappoint
ments; but leaving him a comfortable independence for approaching age.
Mr. Page has had much to do as a public servant ofthe city; assessor, five
years; alderman, etc. , '
- During the war, he was represented in the army by five sons; one of whom
— Fernando— came home.with both of his feet shot off; one of the very few
who survived such a loss.
Mr. Page is an unpretentious man, whose air bespeaks native kindliness,
and whose geniality invites confidence. Long life and happiness attend
him. ,

SHERMAN M. PEARSALL.
In this article, Mr. Pearsall will partially be allowed to be autobio
graphical. '
He was bom in Cayuga county, N. Y., Dec. 11, 1817; received a good '
academic education, and made use
of his education as a teacher. He
moved to Michigan in 1827; was
married Dec. 19, 1841. In Feb.,
1843, the memorable cold winter.,.
he located himself at the place
where he has since lived. Looking
at his fine residence and broad
acres, he is happy to feel that
things are not as they used to be,
when on those, same acres he got
lost, hunting for his cattle; and
when he stubbornly joined issue
with the forest trees, and changed ,
the heavily timbered land into
fields of yellow grain.
With a strong constitution, not
enervated by indulgences, he has
never known sickness. With en
ergy to fight the battle of life, he
has secured independence. Be
cause he meant to be a man; his
townsmen have put him forward, making him one of their leaders.
As a temperance man, he is; a pioneer, if not the pioneer in setting the
example of not furnishing liquor at a raising. He was told that his large
bam' could not be raised without liquor. He said, " It shall be, or I will go
without a bam." And, as it proved, the prophets of evil slandered Alpine.
The bam was raised, and the good'people of the town named it " Temper
ance," and departed, giving three cheers— one for Pearsall. one for" his barn
and a third for his baked pigs.

S'terman M. PearsaU.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

51

Mr. P. has served or rested long in the (in Alpine) sinecure office of justice
of the peace. He says : "A more peaceable, quiet town it is hard to find.
One of my predecessors, who had served four years, told me he had not had
a case of litigation in that time. 1 have done about the same amount of
business. But I have chopped, cleared and fenced one'hundred acres of tim
bered land; have never used an. ounce of tobacco, or a gill Of liquor; haV<
not seen ten days in the last thirty years or more, when I have not been able to
do a good day's work; for which I ought to feel a good degree of thankful
ness. I have seen this region changed from a wilderness to beautiful farms,
with fine houses, where families have been growing up, and have been
educated along side of my own. We have had six boys and two girls. One
died in infancy; one son died in the army; one son, seventeen years old, was
drowned; one daughter is married and living .in Grand Rapids. The rest
are at home."
As Mr. Pearsall is still in the vigor of life, we will leave him to work his
way a little longer; butwill confidently trust, that, as he walks the streets of
Grand Rapids, his face will not (like some that could be mentioned), be a '
red beacon light, warning all who, approach — " Go not near the whisky
hole!" Sailing o'er life's fitful ocean,
With eye upon the steady pole-star;
Giving rocks and shoals a lee- way; .
Steering -by the chart and compass;
Safe is gained the wished-for haven.

JOHN W. PIERCE.
October 26th, 1874, was a sad day for Grand Rapids
of the sudden death of their gen
eral favorite, J. W. Pierce, seemed
to spread a funeral pall over the
city. From 1836, he had been
identified with the place; every
body knew him, and to know him
was to esteem with a feeling alike
to love. Socially a favorite— every
body's friend and genial compan
ion, a man above the suspicion j
of guile; keen, witty and open- ^
' hearted, there was a pleasant J
magnetism about him, that won j|
and retained friends. No one ||
could dislike him. He was a man fc
of shrewd good sense, and of ||
sound business capacity; honest ^
and honorable in all his dealings, *
eminently social, and hearty in
. , his intercourse with others; sim

The announcement

John W. Pierce.

pie in his habits and tastes— in fine, a most lovable, genial gentleman.

52 MEMORIALS OF THE
Mr. Pierce was bom at Geneseo, N. Y., Dec. 4th, 1814. He had a good
academical education; spent his early years in. preparation for mercantile
business, which business he followed during his hfe.
He came to Grand Rapids in 1836, as a clerk in the employment of the
Hon. Charles H. Carroll, then owner -of the Kent plat. He pretty soon
opened a book store, the first in the Valley. This book store was at the
northeast corner of Kent and Bronson streets, where he remained in busi
ness until 1844, wheri he embarked in general trade on the comer of Canal
and Erie streets, where he erected the first brick store on^Canal street. In
1871, llis buildings on Canal .street were destroyed by fire,- entailing a loss of
$30,000. Thenextdayhe said: "It is nothing butiproperty. It has not
put a weed on my hat." With characteristic energy and good nature, he
set about the work that fire had made a necessity. But it is not our purpose
to specify the buildings he erected, or the business he did. John W, Pierce
was mbre known as- a man than in his relation to business and money.
In 1842, he married Sarah L., daughter of Col. Roberts. In his family, he -
was the honored and beloved husband and father. He was always ready to
help the public; was one of those who were always, on hand when it was
, proposed to do some good thing. He held several public offices, but never
was in'the habit of asking for them. The pubhc knew full well that if- they
trusted their interests with John W. Pierce, all would be right.
Mr. Pierce was below ordinary size,' veiy athletic, with a finely strung
nervous temperament; was simple and temperate in his habits; always ex
emplary in Ms morals. . No one ever suspected that he intentionally could
do wrong. His word we all believed, for we knew him. -
- Such is bbt an imperfect pen portrait of John W. Pierce. His genial face
is shown in the accompanying picture. , The^ present generation will cherish
the remembrance of his genial personality. -
" Were I so tall as to reach the stars,
Or grasp the heavens with a span,
Still I'd he measured by my soul,
For that's the standard of the man."
So wrote Watts, and so felt John W: Pierce.
ABRAM W. PIKE.
Mr. Pike, whose definition of the rights of the public over the officers of
their creation, has identified his name with an important political axiom,
was bom at Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 5th, 1814. His early life was spent in
humble circumstances on a farm, with but the common school advantages
for education. He came into Michigan in 1827. At the age of nineteen he
went into a store, at St. Joseph, as clerk. He was for a time an assistant in
the Indian Mission School at Niles. In 1838 he entered into the employ of
the Port Sheldon Company, and was by them placed in charge of their store
at Grand Rapids. He was afterwards placedln charge of the property of the
company, to wind up their affairs; in which business he spent three years.
It is from the recollections of Mr. Pike that t/he article on Port Sheldon was

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

53

w

A2§

%l

JjJj
Abram W. Pike.
written. In 1S44 he took up his residence at Grand Rapids, where he has
since resided. Mr. Pike has been
twice married; first in 1841 to Miss
Elnora Prior, who died in 1853;
second to Miss Eliza J. Roberts, in
1855. His business has always been
in connection with merchandizing;
most of the time as one employed.
Be is a man below the common
size, active and energetic, social,
- genial and trusty. It has never
been his habit to put himself for
ward, and is no office-seeker. He
was city marshal in 1847-8; other
wise he has not been an official
character. Still youthful in ap-
¦ pearance, heart and action, it is to
be hoped that many years may
pass before we miss his genial
presence, where the hearty greet
ing of those who have known him
long, is sure to meet the response
of soul-revealing courtesy
• DR. ALONZO PLATT.
The doctor has been so long at Grand Rapids' that he is regarded ;
of the city fathers — one of those
whose identity with the city began
early and has continued, until the-
'present time. Now, in a green old
age, he and Dr. Shepard are the
patriarchs of the medical profes
sion, and long may it be before
their shadows shall be less, or be
fore the younger members of that
noble profession shall be so lacking'
in self-respect,- as not to doff their
beavers-in respect to their superiors. ^
Dr. Piatt is a natiye of Stephen- 0.
ton, Rensselaer Co.,.N. Y, where 0
he first saw the light, January 10, ^
1806. He was educated at Lenox ^
, Academy. Mass., and graduated at ^
the Berkshire Medical School, Dec, N
1827. He practiced in his profession
two years in Western New York;
came to Michigan in 1832; stopped
at Ypsilanti one year; removed to -
Ann Arbor, and from thence to Grand Rapids, in 1842.
Dr. Alonzo Trait.
Settlsd at last, be
54

MEMORIALS OF THE

has, always remained. And now, with locks unsprinkled with gray, he is
still in the practice of his profession; doing all the business he wants to, and
enjoying his otium cum dignitate, and well-earned fortune when patients' do
notneed him.
He is willing to give place to younger and more needy men; and without -
envy, bids them God-speed; hoping that having laboriously won for them
selves fortune and respect, they may eventually enjoy old age as he is
doing. It does not seem hardly fair to characterize a man when there is a fair
prospect that he will read the article. But there are some things that must
be done; and we cannot afford to delay printing this book until all spoken
of are dead.
Nature, was not very hberal with Doctor Piatt. She left him with a poor
constitution— with an unconquerable diffidence. What nature denied him,
<he felt; but- an indomitable will enabled him to triumph over natural defi
ciencies, and achieve, position as a man among men; and place himself
favorably before the public as a citizen and as a physician.
In religion, he is an Episcopalian; and has been for thirty years a warden
in St. Mark's Church.
As a man, he is a very modest one, and a good deal less disposed to take
on airs than some who don't know half as much. He thinks less of himself
than others think of him,, and he is .
now too old to think of reforming.
There, Doctor, I know you will
not like that; but I could not help
it. It is with the writer as it was
with the little boy who was repri
manded by his teacher for whistling
in school. He said: " I didn't whis
tle; it whistled itself."

WILLIAM T. POWERS.
Mr. Powers is one of the men,
who, starting from humble begin
nings, has achieved fortune and po
sition by innate force and deathlei s (
energy. He originated in New
Hampshire; bom at Bristol, July
8th, 1820. He had a very limited
education; was apprenticed to the
William T. Powers. cabinet business; and, as appren
tice, journeyman and proprietor, he
worked at that trade until after he came to Michigan. At Lansingburg and
Troy he made and lost a little fortune.
He came to Grand Rapids in 1847, with about $500, and commenced busi
ness on a small scale, employing one man. His shop was near the foot of
Canal street; on the east side. One year after, he entered into partnership

GRAND RIVER VALLEY. 55
with Maurice Ball, and the business was enlarged. In 1851, they built a
saw-mill on the canal, and also a cabinet factory, in which were employed
about twenty-five men, which number was afterwards increased to forty, or
more. This partnership business was' successful, and was the basis of the
fortunes of both the partners. It was dissolved in 1855.
In 1856, Mr. P. built, at the head of the rapids, the first circular saw-mil]
in the State. In it he put a machine, of his own invention, for splitting
plank into scantling. That was the beginning of the now perfected ma
chinery for splitting and edging lumber.
In 1866, he commenced his great work of improving the water-power on
the west side; built the dam, and the canal— expending $100,000.. On this
he has erected several buildings for manufacturing purposes, saw-mill,
brush factory, faucet factory and machine shop.
Near the junction of Canal and Pearl streets he put up several buildings,
which have since been burned and rebuilt. In 1873, he put up the Arcade
on which he expended $80,000, exclusive of the lots. So much for. Mr.
Powersas one developing- the material interests of the place. With wealth
at his command, he does not feel like stopping.
In 1857, he was- Mayor of Grand Rapids; otherwise he has never been in
pubhc life.
Mr. Powers is a man with strongly marked peculiarities, of great physical
strength; as a business man enterprising and daring. He has much of
inventive genius. Proper culture would have made him great in that line.
He has invented many things of value. These he has reached, not through
science, but by his intuitive mental grasp, and by experiment..
Precociously, in 1839, before he was 21, he married Miss Louisa Hall, of
Troy, N. Y. She is still with him. '''.¦'¦
As Mr. Powers is not sufficienty venerable with years 'to warrant speaking
out "right before his face," we dismiss him with this account of his doings.
His head is getting somewhat white, but he has not got the old man's
privilege. We hope and believe, however, that when in good old age, he
shall shuffle off mortality, a very good obituary notice will follow.
LEONARD H. RANDALL.
He was born.in Darien, Genesee county, N. Y., Nov., 1829, and his early
life was somewhat favorable to mental development. His father Was a well-
to-do farmer, who gave him a fair chance for a goo jl common education. When
14 years of age, his father changed his residence to Genesee county, Michi
gan, where, having lost-Ms property, he died in 1844, leaving young Leon
ard, a boy of 15, the main stay of the family. This position he held for
four years, when a second marriage of his mother left him free to act for
himself. His first movement was to improve his education, which the cir
cumstances of the past years had left very imperfect. He started put with a
slender purse, walked to Detroit, and returned to the scenes of his earher
years; where he made an arrangement to work for his hoard and go to
school. At 20 he. went into a store in Canada, where he spent three years. Then

56

MEMORIALS OF THE

he commenced business'for himself in a small way, and was successful — so
that, on coming to Grand Rapids in 1857, he had about $5,000 capital. He
there went into the grocery trade, mostly as a wholesale dealer. His httle
capital with which he began, -under his sagacious1 management, has expanded
until he is understood to be one of the heavy men of the city, engaged in a
diversity of business — lumbering, banking, etc.
The ability of Mr. Randall was soon recognized. In 1871, he was Mayor
of the city, in which office he proved himself efficient. Since 1875 he has
been city treasurer.
Mr. Randall is still in active business, pushing his own fortune and that
of those he has taken under his wing, for it must be. confessed, that it is a
weakness-of his to bring forward and establish as business men, those who
are in his sendee. , - ,
, If he is not, spoiled by being sent, to Congress (a thing seriously talked *
of), the community have much to expect from his business capacity and his
public spirit.

HIRAM RHODES.
Mr. Rhodes was one of the pioneers of Ada— coming in 1837; and he
always filled a large space in the
town, in the double sense of the
broad acres he occupied, and per
sonal esteem. An unpretending,
simple hearted man, of solid 'worth
and good intellect, he was looked
up to as one of the solid men; the
leading farmer and a leading citi
zen. Quietly pursuing his own
business, he never mingled in the J
strife for place and position; but A
felt that homeland its associations A
¦ were more congenial. /;
He was born in Dutchess coun
ty, N. Y., in 1804. His fathei
moved to Monroe county, N. Y.,
when he was quite young; and
there he shared the rough hfe and
the privations, of the pioneers of
those days. In 1831, he removed
with his wife and' one child to
Salem, Washtenaw county, Mich., where, as a pioneer, he resided until he
came to Ada. ;In Ada he located, and occupied some six hundred acres of
,the best land on the right bank'of the Grand River, where he spent the rest
of 'his clays. He died October 22, 1856, leaving a wife,. two sons and three
daughters. One son and two daughters have followed him in death.
, - Of Mr. Rhodes, there is no brilliant career to record, and no striking deeds
characterized his life. In three places he led the life of a pioneer; and, he

Hiram Rhodes.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

57

nacl just placed himself where he could say his hard life was over, and where -
he hoped to enjoy the well-earned independence he had achieved; where he
might develop his family— when death took him away.
. He was a man above medium size; reticent, and might be mistaken for
cold-hearted. He was eminently a family man. With his own, he was
reverenced as wise, and beloved as warm-hearted and kind. Few fathers
; have been more honored, or more deserved esteem and reverence.

WILLIAM A. RICHMOND.
The parents of the subject of this sketch— Jonathan and Rebecca Rich
mond — emigrated from Westport,
Mass., to Aurora, N. Y., in the
year 1807, performing' the long
journey through the wilderness
on horseback.
They were among the first set
tlers of Cayuga county; and, from
the home there established, sent '
forth, during fifty years, a large J
family to assist in developing dif- >|
ferent portions of the great West. j|
The eldest son, William," gave his ||l
energies through - a busy life of jjj
thirty-five years, to Michigan; and gts
two bf his children have been fc
identified, for ten yeara past, with lfc|
the young and promising State of ij^
Kansas. The next generation S$
may reach the Pacific coast, but
the peculiar joys and hardships
of their forefathers can never be theirs, for pioneering; in its true sense, is ¦
numbered among the things of the past.
William Almy Richmond was born in the beautiful village of Aurora,- on
Cayuga Lake, on the 28th of Jan., 1808. He was educated at the Cayuga
Academy, among the faculty of which institution was the honored Salem
Town, author of the well-known " Speller and Defiher."
The intervals of study were occupied in active exercise with the plow, the
hoe, the scythe and the flail; but, while his hands were busy on the farm, his '
thoughts were longingly wandering to the great busy world which lay oinV
side his quiet native village. In despair of ever making the lad a practical
agriculturalist, his. father, in the year 1826, obtamed a clerkship for him with
Mr. Henry Howard, of Geneseo, Livingston county, N. Y. This Mr. How
ard was subsequently the first State Treasurer of Michigan.
In 1828, lured by attractive reports from the peninsular territory > Mr. Rich- •
mond, ihen a young man of twenty, joined an exploring party, and penetra- ,
ted the wilderness as far as the village of Pontiac. Returning to the East,
he entered the employ of a silk house in Pearl street, New York city, where

William A. Richmond.

58 MEMORIALS OF THE
he remained two years; and then, for the same length of time, engaged in
the mercantile business on his own responsibility. In the summer of 1834 he
came to Michigan, with the intention of locating; but being attacked by the
prevailing cholera, and afterwards by bilious fever — the faithful guardian of
' western wilds — he retreated from the apparently unfriendly soil. In 1836, a,
strong tide of emigration commenced to flow westward, and Mr. Richmond
started once more from Aurora, on horseback, accompanied by Mr. Philan
der Tracy, making the already far-famed Grand River Valley the objective
point. They found.at Grand Rapids a stirring little, trading-post, of perhaps
two hundred inhabitants, and there decided to locate. In company with
Chas. H. Carroll, John Almy and Lucius Lyon, Mr^ Richmond contracted for
the so-called Kent Plat, and became an eighth owner therein. In the same
year, 1836, he was elected to the convention assembled at Ann Arbor, by
proclamation of Gov. Mason, for the purpose of converting the Territory into
a State. From that time, Mr. Richmond was identified with the leading in
terests of Grand Rapids, and the State at large, in both business and official
capacities. In 1838, he was appointed by President Van Buren Receiver of the Ionia
Land District; and by President Polk; in 1845, Superintendent of Indian
Affairs. He served in the State Senate from 1842 to 1845, and one of the im
portant bills passed through his influence was that appropriating 6,000 acres
of land for the building of the first bridge across Grand River, at Grand
-Rapids. In 1850, he was a candidate for the Lieutenant-governorship with
Gov. Barry; arid he held two commissions as brigadier-general of State mi
litia. Mr. Richmond took an active interest in the extension of railroads
within the State, and was for some time one ofthe directors ofthe Michigan
Southern.' Politically he was a democrat, and his religious creed made him
a loyal and active churchman. Besides attending to his private business —
which was mercantile and banking — he filled the several pubhc offices to
which he was called with acknowledged credit and ability. He was a man
of enlightened views, of clear intellect, of sound judgment, of first-class busi
ness talents, and of progressive enterprise. Such a man must necessarily be
intimately associated with the growth and prosperity of the section with
which he identifies himself; and the name of William A. Richmond is en
rolled among Michigan's honored pioneers. He died at Grand Rapids, in
the summer of 1870, at the age of sixty-two. R. R.
JUSTUS C. ROGERS.
This man is mentioned as one of the earliest settlers of Wyoming, where
he has always resided. He is a Vermonter, born Feb. 22d, 1813, at Middle-
town, Rutland county. His father was a farmer and tanner; and he, until
his majority, followed' the same occupations, varying thera by attending
school or teaching during the winters. At the age of 22 he married Miss
Eliza M. French (who still is with him), and set but to find him a home in the
West. After a stormy passage on the lake, in which the vessel was stranded,
he arrived at Detroit, and from there on foot, with his pack swung on his back,

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

59

he went through Illinois and Michigan, bringing up at the Grand River Val
ley, finally locating at Wyoming,
where he has always hved, a re
spected, useful and honorable
citizen. Mr. R. is a man after no model
but his own; enthusiastic and
ardent in his ideas as a reformer.
He has been long known for his
zealous antagonism to tobacco —
writing, printing, and preaching
against its use. He has shown
himself an able writer. For a
time he was assistant editor of
a paper— "The Great Western
Journal." Whatever may be the opinion
of others concerning the wisdom
of his ideas, all concede that con
viction of right is the only guide
of his life and conduct — that
as a devoted philanthropist, he
labors alone for the good of mankind.
always ruled by an overpowering
idea. Latterly he has devoted
himself to mathematical pur
suits, and especially to the con
struction of more perfect tables
of Logarithms. Into this work
he throws himself with his pecu
liar enthusiasm, and he is un
doubtedly master of it. Whether ;
it is called for or riot by the exi
gencies of science is very prob
lematical. But, his full tables^
carrying the decimals to fifteen ^il
figures, is proof of indefatiga- ^
ble labor and inextinguishable
zeal. He is, and has been, a scientific
farmer; clearing up and improv
ing a large farm, and making
himself prominent in the Agri
cultural Society, as its Presi
dent, etc.

Justus C. Sogers.
Serious, almost to melancholy, he is

Leonard Slater.

LEONARD SLATER.
[For a sketch of the life and work of this pioneer Biissionary, dee page 301.]

«30

MEMORIALS OF THE

^wSsxKxfl

LEONIDAS SCRANTON.
Mr, Scranton was born' June 21, 1822, at Covington, Wyoming county,
N. Y., In early life'he had the ad-
Vantage of a good common school
education; and in addition, pur
sued his studies in the Academy
at Romeo, under Prof. Nutting,
having a strong penchant toward
mathematics and surveying.
At the age' of nineteen, we find
him with Wm. A. Burt, assisting
in the survey of township lines in
the Upper Peninsula, with whom
he learned the practical part of
He fol
lowed that business until 1847;
either attending school or teaching
in the winter. In 1847, he came
to Grattan, and purchased land on
Sections 12 and 13.
In 1845, he was in charge of one
of Dr. Houghton's surveying par-
Leonidas Scranton, ^ ^ ^ ^^ wfiion of &e
Upper Peninsula. The Doctor was drawned while conducting this sur
vey. He was- married this year to. Miss — . daughter of Ephraim Calkin, of
McComb county.
In, 1856, Mr. S. Was elected Register of Deeds for Kent county, which
office he held for fouryearss While in this office, he, for his own conve
nience, made abstracts of all the titles in the county, on a plan originated
by himself; which abstracts, now the property of the county, have been estab
lished bylaw as"" prima facie'" evidence of titles. This was rendered neces
sary by the fire which destroyed the county records.
After the battle of Bull Run, he entered the service ofthe country, as 1st
Lieutenant in the 2d Michigan Cavalry; spent the winter of 1861-2 in the
Camp of Instruction at St. Louis, under Gen., Gordon Granger; was first
Under fire at New Madrid, Mo,; participated 'in the siege of Corinth — was
under Sheridan. \
July L 1862, iri a fight at Brdwnsville, being in command of Company F,
•on picket when the attack Was made, by persistent fighting, he gave time
for preparations by the1 General, for which he was promoted to Captain, It
is sufficient to say that for three years he was mingled with the fortunes of
the army in Tennessee- and Kentucky, serving under Sheridan and Rbsen-
<cranS; Was promoted Major Oct. 26, 1862; accompanied Sherman to At
lanta, in command of his regiment. He was in the fight at Buzzard Roost;
and opened the battle at Resaca; clrivingin the rebel pickets and outposts, and
taking the first line «f earth-works before the infantry came up. He was in

QRAND river valley.

ei

the fight at Locust Mountain, and again at Powder Springs. I He Was com1
missioned Colonel, Dec. 20, 1864. His commission as Colonel was given at
the close of his service as a compliment to a gallant officer,
Peace restored, Col. Scranton returned to Grand Rapids, where he has set-
flepVlown to the business of carriage building. Still in his prime, long may
he hve. ALONZO SESSIONS.
For many facts concerning Mr. Sessions, the reader is referred to the
history of Berlin. '
From the earliest, times he has been identified with the interests of Ionia

Alonto Sessions.

county. He had his origin in New York; born at Skaneateles, Aug. 4th, 1810;
lived with his his father, with common advantages for personal improve
ment,., until he was of age. At the age' of 17 he commenced teaching,
and for a number of years Was a part of the time so employed. For a time
he was clerk in a store at Bennington, Genesee county.
In October, 1835, he came to Michigan to reside. Mr, Sessions is a man

62

MEMORIALS OF THE

of commanding presence, energetic, with strong convictions— a: natural
leader — one of those who will have decided friends, and whose go-ahead
energy will provoke and secure opposition. His honor and integrity are, by ¦
those that dislike him, conceded to be beyorid doubt. With a genial and
social nature, and rare conversational powers, he is an agreeable companion
and warm friend; perhaps not very valuable as an antagonist. His stern,
sense of honor, and unyielding self-respect have not always led him to steer
clear of others' antagonism — but by his friends he is Considered a friend
worth possessing,' and by those, who love him not, he is respected as " a
foeman worthy of one's steel." .
Soon it was found that Mr. S. was a man the public could make use of
He was made Justice of the Peace in 1836, Supervisor of Cass, and chairman
of the board in 1838, sheriff of the county in 1840. For seventeen years he was
supervisor and eight times chairman of the board. He was in the State
Legislature from 1856 to 1862. Internal Revenue Assessor 1862 — four years.
Director of First National Bank at Ionia; its President since 1866; Presi
dent of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. Was Presidential Elector
in 1872. At present (1877) he is Lieutenant-Governor of Michigan.
In 1837, he married Miss Celia Dexter, daughter of the pioneer of Ionia.
He has seven living children, and has lost about as many.

AMASA SESSIONS.
Brother ofthe foregoing, now resident in Ionia, has been, in fortune and
adventure, identified with him. As.
we have been unable to obtain the,
facts of his life-history, further than
they are given in the' history, of
Berlin, the reader is referred to
what is there said of him.
CHARLES SHEPARD.
Dr. Shepard is one of the pioneer
physicians of the Valley, being the
third who established themselves as
resident physicians. The first was*
the now venerable Lincoln of Ionia;
the second, -Willson, the too early
dead. Dr. S. was born at Fairfield,
Herkimei- county, N. Y., July 18,
1812, in humble circumstances, and
had but the common school chance
for education. Ambitious, he went
to studying medicine with Dr. H.
W. Doolittle. He attended lectures
and took his degree at the Fairfield Medical College, March, 1835. In the
fall of the same year, he came to Grand Rapids, then but a backwoods

Amasa Session*.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

63

village. There was little to do, and he eked out an existence by sui'veyng.
He and Willson soon after entered
into partnership.
From this humble beginning he
has grown with the growth of the
region; has long been the leading
'physician, and has taken rank
among the most prominent citi
zens. He has been more especially
known as the surgeon, having
performed most of the operations
which are tests of surgical skill.
Now he leaves the most of medical
practice to those' who need the
.'business, and limits himself to his
office. Dr. S., for several years, was
one of the City Fathers, and at one
time, mayor.
In 1836, he married Miss Lucinda
Putnam. He has had the great
misfortune to lose his wife and five CImrles Shepard. ,
children — his all. His wife died in April, 1872. '
Dr. Shepard is still alive, and will read this notice. Therefore, as he has
. taken a new lease of life, little will be said to characterize him, If the
wishes of the people could avail, he
will' hve forever. But if he ever
does die, there will be a rousing
1 funeral. ROBERT P. SINCLAIR.
This gentleman is of Irish pa
rentage; the family coming to
America in 1811, and settling in
.Seneca county, N. Y., at a place
now known as .Sinclair's Landing,
on Cayuga Lake. Here Mr. Sin
clair became an extensive land
owner and dealer in grains, amass
ing a large fortune.
• Robert S. was born at Romulus,
Oct. 17th, 1814. In his early life
he had every advantage for ob
taining a finished education. He'
.: ..fitted for college at Homer and''
Ovid Academies. In the fall of
1835, he entered Geneva College as a Sophomore. After one year, he went
to Edinboro, Scotland, where he graduated in 1839; -having, during his
39

Robert P. Sinclair.

64

MEMORIALS OF THE

vacations, traveled in England and France. Shortly after graduating he
returned to America, and came to Ann Harbor, Mich., where he read law
with Kingsley Morgan, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. For some
years he was a business man in Washtenaw county, building and running a
flouring mill. In 1846, he sold out ana came to Grand Rapids, where he '
established himself as a lawyer and insurance agent, serving the county
four years as Judge of Probate.
Soon after the breaking out ofthe war, -at the solicitation of the Irish
citizens^, he obtained authority to raise .a regiment of infantry. For this
purpose he was commissioned Colonel, and raised the Michigan 14th Infan
try, commonly called the "Irish Volunteers.", The regiment first went to
St. Louis, Mo., and were first ordered to report to Gen. Halleck, at Pittsburg
Landing,- afterwards to Gen. Pope at Hamburg Landing. They were engaged
in the battles at Farmington and Corinth, and were with the army at Big
Springs. They made a forced marched from Big Springs to Tuscumbia,
Ala. Against orders, and on his own responsibility, Col. S. put his
regiment in light marching order, and brought it through in better shape
than any other.' The regiment was at the siege of Corinth, in the battle at
Stone River, and several others of less notoriety.
In the spring of 1863, broken health compelled Col. S. to retire from the
service. Resigning his commission, he returned to Grand Rapids.
In 1866, he was, appointed Revenue Collector for the Fourth District hi
Michigan. In this office he did not.long remain, as the Senate did not con- '
firm his and many others of President Johnson's nominations.
A private citizen once more, Mr.' S. returned to his old employment, which
has resulted in fixing him as one of the solid men of Grand Rapids.
He was married Sept. 17th, 1850,; to Miss Julia H. Allen..
Mr. Sinclair is a man of more than ordinary height; quiet and unassum
ing in his deportment; — rather in
clined to be diffident; never blows
his trumpet, or tries to make a dis
play. As a lawyer, he seldom ap
pears at the bar, confining himself
to office business. He is more known
as a business man than as a lawyer.
It is not best to fully characterize
the living. As we trust Col. S. has
yet good years. to pass before giving
in his final accourit, we will leave
the characterization incomplete.
HENRY SPRING.
This gentleman, who has. been
prominent as a merchant and mem
ber of the city council, was born at
Farmersville, Cattaraugus county,
Henry Spring. w. Y., Feb. 7, 1830,. , His father
was a farmer there, and is now a resident in the town of Carinon. Soon '

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

65

after coming to Michigan, in 1846, young Henry commenced clerking in the
stores at Grand Rapids. In 1854, he began business as a trader, in partner
ship with Amos Rathbun and David Burnett. In 1860 the well-known firm of
Spring & Avery was formed, which was dissolved in 1876. He is now the
leading partrier in a heavy dry goods store. In 1870, he was elected alderman
and served two years in the city
council. In 1854, he married Miss Annis
A. Salisbury. (
Still in his prime, and as we hope,
with the best part of his life-work
before him, we say little of him;
trusting that the past is only an
earnest of the future.

CANTON SMITH.

A pioneer of 1837, Mr. Smith ^
has bee8, and is, one of the land- |
' marks; having been from the first,
until lately, a leading hotel-keep
er, long identified with the Na
tional — which, rebuilt, has been
Ghristened the. "Morton."
He was born at Scituate, R. I.,
Oct. 26th, 1822; was bred a farmer.

Canton Smith.

In 1827, he married Miss Ann Angell, a woman of rare excellence,
died about 1864.
Mr. Smith has always been an
unobtrusive citizen, quietly attend
ing to his own business, diversify
ing it a little with roving adven
ture. Now, in the quiet of indepen
dence, with enough of this word's
goods and a fair young wife, he is
enjoying his ease. He has " seen
the. elephant;" has' hunted griz-
zlys; fed the hungry, and been
happy. May his last days be his
best. J. MORTIMER SMITH.
Bom in New Milford, Conn.;
moved to Dutchess county, New
York, iri childhood; ' to Michigan "S^if
in 1836. Bought land and en- ~''M"
tered largely into the real estate
'" business. Married in Washington City, 1855.

who

J. Mortimer Smith.

66

MEMORIALS OF THE

Martin L. Sweet.

MARTIN L. SWEET.
Mr. Sweet is one of those men, who, without the advantages which render
rising in the world natural and
easy, have placed themselves, in
business and social prominence.
He originated in New York, as
did most of the early settlers in
the Grand River Valley. Born
at Paris, Oneida county, February
21st, 1819; brought up to hard
. work in a .grist-mill, with limited
chances for education, and obliged
to work for all he ever expected to
have, he has justly the credit of
being ranked as a self-made man.
He worked for others at his trade
as a 'miller until 1842, when he
came to Michigan, and built a
flouring mill at Delhi. In March,.
1846, in company with John L.
Clements, he commenced running
the "big mill" at Grand Rapids
— that mill, whose blackened tim
bers are now (1876) the sole rem
nant of the' early structure on the canal. " Requiescat in pace" must now
be said of that structure, which, in its origin, was a, part of an unwise enter
prise,' only partly carried out.
But- thinking of the venerable old mill, which had become hoary with age,
we have departed from Mr. Sweet. In 1854, he built a large mill on the
east side of Canal street, which, too, has gone ,up in smoke.
In 1868, he completed the hotel at the foot of Pearl street, and which is
known as Sweet's Hotel.
He has long been engaged in banking; succeeded Daniel Ball as a private
banker.' His bank in time became the First National. Of that bank he was
for many years the president.
Mr. Sweet served the city . four, years as alderman, and one year as
niaybr. It is sufficient to say of him that financially, he is a success; that person
ally, everybody likes him for his frank simplicity and business integrity. He
puts on no airs, and feels himself no bigger than he did when he was a" poor
boy, sitting by the hopper at the mill, picking out what should riot be ground
with the wheat.
Still hard at work, and not venerable with age, the time has not come to
'give the results of his life. We know this much— that while he lives he will
go ahead, and will help to keep things moving; and we hope his genial pres
ence and business enterprise will not soon be among the things missing at
Grand Rapids.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

CONRAD G. SWENSBERG.
One of the institutions of which Grand Rapids is justly proud, is the Com
mercial College— established and
sustained by a man still young,
whose sense of honor, at the time
when quack "commercial .col
leges" were springing up in all
parts of the country, led ' him,
modestly beginning, to attempt
to start a school wh'ich should be
all it claimed; whose basis should
be thorough instruction and
strictly honorable dealing. With
this end in view, he came to
Grand Rapids with one whom in
charity we will leave namelss, and
opened a school— he doing the
work, his partner managing to
pocket the avails; and in six
months leaving him to pay the
debts that had been incurred, to
the amount of $1,200.
Mr. S., happily relieved of Mr.
Blank, set himself to work to car-

Cbnrad G. Swensberg.

ry out his cherished plan, carrying the load that had been left upon him.
This was in 1866.
¦ As it is expected and hoped that Swensberg's Commercial College will be
one of the institutions of the city, and that 'it will, as long as he has the charge
of it, speak for itself, through its graduates, it has been judged sufficient to
give its origin, its principles, aridrthe results of its ten years' existence.
Prof. S., scorning all quackery, airiis to make the instruction thorough, ex
haustive and practical ; and the testimony of leading business men is uni
form, to the superiority of the training received under him. The Professor,
having no horn of his own to blow, relies upon the results of ; his labors, and
not on his professions. Those results have established the fame of his
school as one that, standing on an honorable basis, needs ho puffing.
Professor Swensberg -is a German; born at Cassel, Sept. 20th, 1835. When
eleven years old, he came with his parents and an only sister to the United
States. His father settled at Linn Grove, Erie county, Ohio. Being the
only son, he was wanted on the farm (studying at intervals), but allowed to
indulge his fancy for ship-building. His course of hfe and home associations,
added to a fine physical organization, resulted in that cheerfulness of dispo
sition, business-like habits, and practical character, which have rendered
him so succ • sful as a teacher.
In ,1857, his parents moved to the city of Muscatine, Iowa, where they
soon after died. He then tried pioneer life in Iowa and Minnesota; taking
up government land, and laying out townships and villages. For two years

MEMORIALS OF THE

he was clerk on the steamboat. Equator, on the Mississippi. He held, during
his residence in Iowa, various positions of trust from State and county. In
1861, in accordance with a long cherished desire, he entered upon a course
of study at Oberlin, 0., having previously spent some six years in the study
of German and music. For four years he centered at Oberlin, but in that
time entered the army as a private; was directly promoted to assistant-adju
tant, and afterwards to commissary-sergeant. A letter from his command
ing officer to the author speaks of him as a very meritorious officer, worthy
of a higher position. In 1866, as before stated, he came. to Grand Rapids.
The Professor is not a cypher out of his school. He has a heart to encourage
and a hand to aid every good work, and is identified with some of the manufac-
' turing interests of the city, as well as its Christian and benevolent institutions. '.
' Still a young man , long may his
genial presence and active spirit '.
have their natural influence.
CALVIN THOMPSON,
Was born Oct. 1, 1820, at Guil
ford, Chenango county, N. Y. In
18,36, he came with his" father's
familyto Jackson cpunty, Mich., '
and in 1843, at the age pf twen
ty-three,, he located his present,
beautiful homestead on section
25, in the town of Courtland,
where, by industry, economy
and fair dealing with his fellow
men, be has become one of the
most' thrifty and independent
farmers of the county.
He is one of the public men of
his town, filling various offices — ¦
supervisor, etc. He has two
sons, John and William, each of whom he has settled on a first-class farm in
Courtland. He died in 1876.

Calvin Thompson.

JACOB WINSOR.
He was the son of Darius Winsor; born in Onondaga county. New York,
June 11th, 1816; and came with the family, in 1833, to Michigan. He spent
his younger days in the employ of others, in the mercantile business, espe
cially with the Indians. Early in life the two brothers — Zenas G. and Jacob — in
partnership . carried on a very diversified business— Indian trade, general
trade, dealing in lumber, building and running saw-mills — in fine, anything
that had money in it. They built the stone store' at the comer of Monroe and
.Waterloo streets, one of the first sohd structures in Grand "Rapids. In the
earlier years of Grand Rapids their firm was one of the best knownj doing

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

60

in general that kind of round-about business whioh was compulsory at the
time, when every hing was barter
and no cash. With their ups and
downs, their successes and rever
ses, they were on the whole one
of the most successful and enter
prising business firms in the Val
ley.. Mr. Winsor was in business an
adventurer. For some years he
was a silver miner in California;
anql he also, when the plaster.
fever and salt enthusiasm were
on the people, invested heavily,
worked energetically, and made
a good deal of money — over the
left, Jacob Winsor was not a man
easily characterized, and not easy
to understand. He was below or
dinary size, quick and nervous,
positive and energetic, caring ht
tle for pubhc opinion, putting his
roughest side out. He was sym
pathetic and kind-hearted; a genial man in his family, and very social
with the world. In business he was all push. He scorned hypocrisy; what
ever faults he had he never attempted to hide, and it excited his ire if peo
ple gave, him credit for any movement, howeverbeneficial to the public, ii"
he knew that his own interest was the motive of his action.
When a disease that never relents warned him that death was near, he
looked destiny squarely in the face, and with philosophical coolness set
about putting things in order for his leaving. He died December 22d, 1874.
His wife was Harriet Peck, of Lowell, Who survives huh.

Jacob Winsor.

MISS MARY W. WHITE.
This lady, the pioneer, and for a generation the only teacher at Grand
Haven, was bom at Ashfield, Mass., September 18th, 1813. Her advantages
in early life were good. She was educated! partly in the Sanderson- Academy
and partly by that famous lady teacher, Miss Mary Lyon,' frorii whom' she
feels she gained her inspiration as a teacher. She commenced teaching at
the age of sixteen; first a private, and then a district school in Ashfield.
Afterwards she, with her sister, taught a boarding school in Amherst, Mass.
Juhe 10th, 1835, she came to Grand Haven, and soon opened a private school
in the house of Mi-. Ferry, nearly without pay. On the organizing of the
district, she took charge of the school; in which she continued constantly,
with the exception of a few months, until 1852. She then taught at Steuben-
ville, Ohio, one- year; and afterwards, ten years as associate teacher in the

10

MEMORIALS OF THE

seminary at Rockford, Illinois; making in all thirty-four years of. zealous
labor as a teacher of the young.
Miss Whites now Verging, towards old age, is in the quiet enjoyment of a
competence, and is the, honored head of the bachelor-home of her nephew-
Senator T. W. Perry; who was educated by her; and whose pride is, in 'her
age, to cherish the guide of his youth.
WARREN W. WEATHERLEE.
In early times at Grand -Rapids, the old settlers will recollect a modest
young man who spent much of
his time teaching school. We
had riot then the palatial school
' houses which are our pride at the
present day;, but everything was
on a modest scale. The young
man referred to,~ was the subject
of the present sketch. He has
been identified with the city until
the present time. Never a public
man, except in his younger years,
, as a teacher, in which business he
secured a good reputation. He
was, early in the history, of the
noted hardware concern, so long
identified with the name of the
noble Wilder D. Foster, employed
as a salesman. In this capacity
he has ever since remained —
the right-hand man of the con
cern.
He was bom in Madison county, N. Y., in- 1820; had the advantages of .
an'academic education; learned the trade of cabinetmaker; early assumed
the business of a teacher. In 1844, he came to Grand Rapids, which was
then.a small place — one ofthe outskirts of civilization. His life has been an
uneventful one. With high business capacity, he has chosen to remain in
others' employ, rather than assume the hazards of doing business in his own
name. The confidence of the firm in him is unlimited; and he don't work
on a meager salary. His' history has the one lesson: "Fidelity, energy and
devotion to the interest of an employer, will be appreciated and rewarded,"
especially by such men as W. D. Foster. It is not always the best men that
make the greatest spread, or whose biography is the most conspicuous.

Warren W. Weatherlee.

DR. ELMER WOODRUFF.
The subject of this article was born in the town of Farmington, Connecti
cut, Feb. 22, 1816. In his early childhood his parents removed to Cortland:
N. Y., where they settled on a farm. Until seventeen years of age he worked

GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

71

on the farm, with the common advantages of country boys at the time.
then was apprenticed to the trade
of Cabinet and chair maker. In
1,836, he came to Michigan, and
worked at his trade at Homer,
Calhoun county, and at Union
City, on the St. Joseph River. At
the last place he married Eleanor,
the daughter of John Burt, of
Homei\ He afterwards removed
to Albion, where he carried on his
business as cabinet maker until
1857. He then abandoned his
trade, and turned his attention to
. medicine. Fired with the thirst for gold
and adventure, in 1851 he set out
for California, but an untoward
accident 'compelled his return,
having gone no further than the
isthmus. There he was accident
ally shot through the lungs, and
life was only saved by four

He

Elmer Woodruff.

months ofthe most careful and skillful treatment." His case .excited inter
est among tie medical savans of New York, and a fac-simile representing it
is now in the Anatomical Museum there'. . • ,
In the year 1859, he commenced medical practice in the town of 'Decatur,
Van Buren county. From there he came to Grand Rapids, where 'he has
been in successful practice as'a botcnic physician ever since.
lt is understood that the doctor is engaged in writing a philosophical work.
It will be time to speak of it when it appears. He' is original in his concep
tions, and an innovator on current philosophy. With the, enthusiasm of. one
who believes what he writes, he hopes to enlighten mankind.
The doctor has raised a family of one son and three daughters, allof whom
are settled in life. Not. an old man, he is still resident at Grand Rapids, a?
a physician, in quiet office practice; andis, identified with the Spiritualists,
as one of their leaders. ' , ,, ,

CORNELIUS VANDER MEULER.
This man was a marked character, having a history 'in Holland and in
' Michigan. He was born at Mfddelhamus, in the kingdom of the Nether
lands, in 1800. His early life was not conspicuous, and his education but
common. He engaged in secular -business until he was about 35 years of
age.- 'During this time he Was a free-thinker, and man of the world. At
this period his mind was turned to religion^ and for the rest of his life he
'was a devout and laborious minister of the gospel.
The religion of the State was too cold for such as Vander Meuler. At

72

MEMORIALS OF THE

about this time there was a secession from the. State church, in which he
heartily joined,, being the first. in his place to secede. He was made an elder
in the' church there established, and in 1838, became their pastor. He moved
to Utrecht, where he for a time studied under the Rev. H. P. Scholte, and
was ordained and went to Rotterdam. He became a kind of apostle in the
upw movement; preached fearlessly and under civil persecution and social

* Cornelius Vander Meuler.
Ostracism. His zeal had abundant results. Fearless and reliant, he preached
in the open fields, in "barns, and private houses. Mobbed and persecuted, he
rose in enthusiasm, defying law and popular violence.
For the sake of religious freedom, in 1841, many Hollanders removed to
America. Vander Meuler was the religious leader of the emigrants from
the province of Zeeland, who founded the village of Zeeland, in Michigan.
With them he labored until 1859, when he went to Chicago. In 1861 he
came to Grand Rapids, as pastor of the Second Reformed Church, where he
labored until age and infirmity compelled him to resign in 1873. He died ^
August 23d, 1876, and was buried at Zeeland.

GRAND RIVER 'VALLEY. la
With the Holland people. his will always be an honored name. An ex
tended memoir has been published in the Holland language, Personally,
Mr. Vander .Meuler was an admirable mail — genial,- social, and somewhat
humorous. He was high-principled and manly. To know him was to be
his friend. His hfe was an eventful one, and it came to a dignified close.

FRANCIS VAN DRIELLE.
Among the Hollanders who came to this region about 1848, was the man
whose name heads this article..
He is a native of Zeeland ; born
June 6, 1816. When about twelve
yeare old his father died, leaving
hini the oldest of four , children,
dependent upon, his mother, who
hadno,means of support except
her labor. She, earning barely
a dollar a week-, contrived by'the
closest calculations 'to keep her
family together. Would : you
know .the close calculations of;
honest poverty, • get Vari .Drielle
to tell of his noble mother's man7
agement. Francis, found, after a
while, employment with a baker;
from the effects of carrying the
baker's basket around the town,
he has never recovered.
In 1847, in hopes of bettering his
.fortune he came to America. He
at first 'found employment for
about a year' on the . Delaware &. Hudson Canal. In July, 1848 he
came to Grand Rapids, where he dug in the canal. He soon found
employment in the' mill of Clemens & Sweet, in whose employ he re
mained fifteen years/ In the meantime spine favorable investments m rea
e'tote had given him confidence to start business** himselfr and he went
¦ into the flouf and feed business, in which he has since remained. In 1868
he built a block of stores on the south side of Monroe street. The result ot,
all is he is now in the enjoyment of an abundant competence .
Mr Van Drielle is strongly identified with the Refold Church m winch
^vllt^XThiZZe, his efforts, cheerfully enjoys hfe, and
hopes still to act for the welfaresof others.

Francis Van Drielle

74

MEMORIALS OF THE

WM. C. YOUNG.
This A No. 1 farmer, whose hearty hospitality makes his home a very de
sirable place to become acquaint
ed with, represents his hfe as an
uneventful one; simply directed
to the building up of a fortune,
and establishing a good name as
a plain, honest, open-hearted and
social man. A3 such, we wel
come his hearty countenance to
this book, and wish a greater
percentage ot the world were of .
the same stamp.
• He began life at Little Britain,
Orange county, N. Y., in 1821;
was bred a farmer, and always
has been one. At the age of
twenty-one, he spent some two
years looking over the United
. States— South and West— seek
ing the place where all things
Would be to his liking. He found
no -such El Dorado; but finally,
in June, 1844, gravitated to the
township of Cannori, where he
made a large purchase of government land, and where he has always
lived; where he has iriade farming a success; prospered and grown rich; '
being one of the heaviest farmers in Kent county.
, In 1350, he took to himself a wife — Miss Maria J. Arnott. They have two
hving sons — David and Willis. 1
Mr. Young makes no display; but, as a Christian gentleman of the old
school, is a free contributor to religious and charitable purposes; and is be
lieved in, by those who know him, as a prompt man, whose word is a bond,
and whose honesty is without reproach.

,. C. Young.

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