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1800
Glass.
F572
Book K3H5
-
3
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
1
HOUSEMAN & MAY, No. 14 Pearl Street,
Opposite City National Bank, .. MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN .
READY-MADE CLOTHING
CLOTHS, CASSIMERES, VESTINGS.
AND
GENTS' FURNISHING At Wholesale and Retail.
GOODS,
Our Clothing being all of our own manufacture, we guarantee satisfaction in all cases. We buy our Goods for Cash, in large quantities, and at the very lowest prices, we therefore can, and do, defy competition in our line.
No. 14 Pearl Street,
JULIUS HOUSEMAN. MOSES MAY.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
4
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
COLE & BRO.,
The oldest and most reliable BOOT & SHOE HOUSE
In the City. The Best of Custom-Made Work constantly on hand. No. 20 Canal St.,
GRAND RAPIDS, - - MICHIGAN.
L. A. MERRILL'S
Gem Picture Gallery,
No. 18 Canal St.,
Just South of Lyon Street. Call and let the Pictures do the puffing. 1
GET THE BEST STONE DRAIN TILE H. LEONARD & SON, Agents,
FINA
ALL!
No. 13 Monroe Street,
GRAND RAPIDS, * * MICHIGAN. Sce Advertisement on Page 151.
2
V HISTORY AND DIRECTORY
767 3400
OF
KENT COUNTY,
MICHIGAN,
CONTAINING A
history of each Township, and the City of Grand Rapids ;
The Name, Location and Postoffice Address of all Residents outside of the City ; a List of Postoffices in the County ; a Schedule of Population ; AND OTHER VALUABLE STATISTICS.
COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY
DILLENBACK & LEAVITT, .
COUNTY, HISTORY, DIRECTORY AND MAP PUBLISHERS.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. : DAILY EAGLE STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 1870.
F592 K3 H5
1-7025
INTRODUCTION.
The publishers of this work take pleasure in presenting to the citizens of Kent County a book that supplies a long-felt need experienced by business men, and which unites with its utility an amount of truly interesting historical mat- ter. At the same time, they pride themselves upon its originality of design and tasty execution -- not being altogether blind, however, to its defects. Doubtless errors will be found, which, to some may seem almost inexcusable; but where they occur the public may rest assured that they are not the result of careless- ness on the part of the publishers. It can be safely said that no book of the kind was ever published which was free of errors. In collating the historical matter great care was taken to draw the information from the most reliable sour- ces. As you glance through the history of your township or city, or any town- ship with whose history you claim to be acquainted, do not hastily pro- nounce statements errors until you are confident that you are correct and the historian wrong; but remember that some one equally as well informed as you, in regard to the general facts, has stated otherwise. In a number of instances, the histories of particular townships have been written by residents, who have taken great pains to collect facts into the form in which they appear. To this diversity of authorship may be attributed the repetitions which occur in some of the sketches ; similar thoughts in regard to the sufferings and privations of the pioneers being in the minds of all.
The publishers are well aware that a work of this kind, relating, as it does, facts with which purchasers are themselves acquainted, will meet with more or less criticism. Knowing this, they have left no stone unturned which would assist in making the book what the prospectus represented it would be. Besides using every precaution to avoid errors in the matter promised, they have even added to its appearance and utility a very pretty map of the State, which was engraved expressly for this work.
The book purports to contain the name of every man in the county (of twenty- one years of age and upwards) outside of Grand Rapids city, and of every widow
8
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
owning real estate. The canvassers were instructed to call at every house, and to be as thorough as a census taker.
The names were copied, compared, and arranged in every instance before they were placed in the hands of the printer; and where a question arose in the mind as to the correct name, or mode of spelling, it was referred to the canvasser.
Numerous advertisements have been inserted, but in no instance in a man- ner that can be made just cause of complaint. The history is complete in itself, and only here and there have advertisements been placed in the directory mat- ter, and even then uniformly on the right hand page. Further, the advertise- ments are from the best business firms in the county, and if carefully noted, will prove of great value to purchasers.
It has been customary to prepare Directories of cities exclusively, while there has been even greater need of Directories of counties and farming territory. The publishers intend to make this the first of a series of like publications, in this and other States, and, while they hope to increase their facilities for preparing even better books than the present, they trust this will not only meet the present de- mand in this locality, but be preserved as a book containing an account of the sufferings, trials, and achievements of the pioneers of Kent county.
The generous patronage and cordial co-operation of all classes of the com- munity have fully justified the publishers' reliance on their intelligence and public spirit ; and they are under obligations, in every town, to the township officers and old residents for historical and statistical information, always cheerfully furnished.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 21, 1870.
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS.
PAGE.
Aikin N. J., physician. 139
Albert & Krupp, groceries, etc. 237
Allyn C. B., dry goods, etc.
Antisdel A. R., proprietor Eagle Hotel. 245
189
Antisdel & Hawk, proprietors Rathbun House.
211
Antrim Mrs. E., milliner. 177
169
Ayers A. C., general store, (Casnovia).
Ball S. S., livery
.between 136 and 137
Bank, City National.
153
Bank, First National. 253
Barker Mrs. S. A., proprietress National Hotel. 173
Barker Wm. P., dentist.
145
Barr & Liesveld, marble works
267
Berkey Brothers & Gay, manufacturers of furniture
Inside of first cover.
Birge & Somers, groceries
229
Bissonette Chas. A., manufacturer wagons.
235
Bole John, job printer. 181
Borden A. D. & Co., contractors, etc.
213
Budington C. O., Justice of the Peace
309
Burchard C., clothing. 163
Butterworth & Lowe, iron works 149
Button R., dentist. 175
Childs F. L., books aud engravings. 313
Cody D. D., groceries .between 136 and 137
Cole & Bro., boots and shoes. 4
Comstock C. C., manufacturer lumber, etc. 149
Congdon W. H., quick lime. 277
Cox Wm. & Co., Valley City File Works. 311
Crosby & Son, insurance and real estate agents 139
Cross Mrs. Alma, oculist. between 136 and 137
Cummings E. H., physician. 309
Currier & Putnam, booksellers and stationers
145
Denison W. C., agricultural implements
157-187
Deane G. S. & Son, agricultural implements .. 313
Dewey H. E., insurance agent. 179
2
10
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
De Vinney A. F., engraver. 261
Dikeman E. B., jeweler. 165
Earle J. E. & W. S., furnishing goods. 235
Eaton & Lyon, booksellers and stationers 159
Eaton E. G., jeweler. 227
Emmer Joseph, manufacturer of buggies, &c.
239
Emmer Joseph, Jr., painting 309
Escott E. B., druggist. 195
Farwell J. H., undertaker 189
Fiebig & Rathman, manufacturers of carriages 253
Finckler Joseph, groceries. 219
Fitch Geo. C., manufacturer of carriages 169
Fox John.
197
Fox P. V., & P. N., general insurance agents
307
Fretts G. L., sewing machines
251
Giles John, groceries (Lowell)
16
Grady & Smith, carpenters
277
Hall L. A., confectionary
245
Hall Francillo, honsebuilder
213
Hatch & Seymour, fine art emporium
between 136 an a 137
Heath Fred, photographer
259
Herkner J. C., jeweler.
227
Herrman Louis, manufacturer of baskets and chairs.
203
Holden, Bates & Co., insurance agents
Holmes E. S., dentist. 269
Hopkins D. S., architect 239
Horton O. W., photographer, betwren 136 and 137
3
Hovey Wm., superintendent and agent of Gr. R. Plaster Co.
159
Humphrey R. J., dentist. 267
Hunt & Hoyt, physicians and surgeons. .between 136 and 137
HIusted N. P., proprietor Gr. River Nurseries (Lowell). 177
Innes Win. P., insurance and real estate agent 203
Ives C. L., livery. 269
Johnson W. B., furniture, Lowell 183
Kendall E. M., clothing. 183
Kennedy J. M., livery.
211
Ketcham S. G., confectionery 221
Ketchum M. D., hotel. between 136 and 137
Kingsbury S. O., insurance and real estate agent. 155
Kopf John & Co., manufacturer of chairs, Lowell. 177
Kreckel & Schroder, clothing. 319
Kruger C. J., & Co., mannfacturers of harness, etc. 175
Kusterer P., groceries, &c. 237
Lankester and Sister, milliners. 309
Lapham Smith, proprietor of the American House 167
143
Harrison Wm., manufacturer of lumber wagons
221
Houseman & May, clothing
11
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Latourette D. L., banker. 175
Leonard H. & Son, crockery dealers. 4&151
Loettgert F., variety store. 16
Long A. B. & Sons, lumber. 31I
Loomis & Brown, boots and shoes 169
Manufacturing Company, G. R. 219
McConnell, Lacey & Co., manufacturers of Snow's Catarrh Remedy 317
Mckay & Son, old books .between 136 and 137
McRae Miss C., cloak and dress-making.
309
Merrill L. A., photographer.
4
Merrill R. S., portrait painter
259
Miller E. T., attorney. between 136 and 137
Mitchell A. J., music store. 315
Morgan H. & Son, insurance and real estate. between 136 and 137
Naegele J., proprietor Michigan House.
311
Nelson, Matter & Co., manufacturers of furniture
147
Newborg D. L., dry goods.
313
Nichols & Naysmith, manufacturers of doors, sash, &c.
237
Osterle F. & Co., manufacturers of carriages, &c.
269
Organ Company, Empire.
171
Owen Geo. F., sewing machines
245
Parks S. D., jeweler. 147
Patterson James, Valley City Paint Shop.
311
Peck H. B., manufacturer of Catarrh Specific. 46
Perry Bros., hats, caps, &c. 153
Plank James, bee-keeper, Section 8 Cannon 181
Potter Charles J., attorney. 311
251
Putnam Alfred, Justice of the Peace
Putnam Bros., & Co., confectioners. 229
Quintus J., insurance agent. 18
Ramsey J. M. and H. C. .between 136 and 137
Reid & Smith, wall paper, &c.
173
Ridell & Co., painters.
253
Ringelberg H., groceries, &c. 197
Rindge L. J. & Co., boots & shoes.
161
Ritter E. P., boot and shoemaker.
.between 136 and 137
Robinson, Chapin & Co., grocers (Lowell).
177
Robinson, Solomon & Co., manufacturers of lumber, &c.
275
Rose A. J., groceries. 235
Rose C. H., dentist. on map.
Rusche John A., shoemaker. 313
Schenckelberg C., groceries. 219
Scheufler F. & Son., hardware. 277
Seeley J. M. & Co., perfumers (Detroit). 167
Seymour & Waite, general store, mill creek, Kent county and Paris, Mecosta Co. 183
Shickell Peter C., groceries, &c. 189
Shinkman & Jenks, insurance agents. 307
Powers W. H. & E. K., manufactuaers of doors, sash, etc. betwsen 136 and 137
1
12
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Simonds J. C., manufacturer of steam engines.
269
Sinclair Bros., & Co., insurance and real estate agents. 243
Skinner & Ward, insurance and war-claim agents ... 139
Soule Geo. H., groceries
267
Southwick & Wright, crockery, &c .. 205
Smith, Mosely & Co., boots and shoes. 161
Smith S. C., groceries 221
Spring & Avery, dry goods. 319
Sqmer Milon L., groceries, &c., (Casnovia)
167
Stang George, foundry.
213
Steketee & Kimm, druggists. 318
Stephenson H. C., physician (Lowell). 307
Stuart Geo. M., druggist.
239
Swensberg & Robbins, proprietors of Commercial College
141
Thomas Edgar M., manufacturer of bed bottoms. 147
Thum Win., druggist. 261
Tooher John E., groceries. 227
Tompkins J. H., photographer
309
Topping R. H., general store, (Casnovia)
183
Tucker & Roger-, hardware, &c.
173
Tyler, Graham & Co., Yankee notions
197
VanHouten & Co., painters, &c.
between 136 and 137
Voorheis & Co., groceries.
between 136 and 137
Voigt & Herpolsheimer, dry goods, etc.
.between 136 and 137
Widoe Jobn, merchant tailor
317
Wilkins W. L. & Co., dry goods.
157
Williams U. B., groceries, &c. 187
Withey L. H. & Co., manufacturers of lumber, &c. 211
Wood Arthur, manufacturer of buggies, etc. 159
Woodruff E., physician. 161
Wykes, photographer. 187
GENERAL INDEX.
Ada History of,
Algoma History of,
20 22
Alpine Ilistory of,
29 33
Business Directory
305 36
Caledonia, History of -
40
Cannon, History of
43
Cascade, History of
46
County officers, list of, --
15 53
Directory of Kent County,
137 55 58
Grand Rapids Township, History of,
114
Grattan, History of -
60
Kent County, Sketch of
19
Lowell, History of,
64
Map of Michigan,
between 16 and 17
Nelson, History of, -
71 73 78
Paris, History of
Plainfield, History of -
Population, Table of -
Postoffices, List of
Solon, History of
Sparta, History of
Spencer, History of -
State officers, List of
Tyrone, History of
Vergennes, History of
99
Walker, History of
102
Wyoming, History of -
107
Courtland, History of -
Gaines, History of
Grand Rapids city, History of
Oakfield, History of
82 17 18 86 90 94 14 96
Bowne Ilistory of,
Byron, History of,
STATE OFFICERS.
Governor. HENRY P. BALDWIN.
Lieutenant Governor MORGAN BATES.
Secretary of State DANIEL STRIKER.
State Treasurer VICTORY P. COLLIER.
Auditor General WILLIAM HUMPHREY. Commissioner of Land Office. CHAS. A. EDMONDS.
Superintendent of Public Instruction ORAMEL HOSFORD.
Attorney General. DWIGHT MAY.
Member of Board of Education WITTER J. BAXTER.
-
COUNTY OFFICERS.
State Senator BYRON D. BALL.
Representative 1st District. JULIUS HOUSEMAN.
Representative 2d District. SAMUEL M. GARFIELD.
Representative 3d District.
ASA P. FERRY.
Representative 4th District
NICHOLAS R. HILL.
Judge of Probate
BENJAMIN A. HARLAN Sheriff
JESSE F. WYCKOFF.
Clerk ..
DANIEL McNAUGHTON.
Treasurer
GEORGE YOUNG, JR.
Register. WILLIAM G. BECKWITH.
Prosecuting Attorney
ANDREW J. REEVES.
Dircuit Court Commissioners OMAR H. SIMONDS, JAMES B. WILSON.
Coroners JOHN BRADY, CHARLES G. HYDE.
ROBERT S. JACKSON. Surveyor
16
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
F. LOETTGERT'S Variety Store,
16 CANAL STREET, GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
FANCY GOODS, WORSTED TOYS
Baskets, Childrens' Wagons, Carts and Sleighs.
Hoop Skirts & Corsets made to Order.
JOHN GILES,
Grocer, Lowell, - - Michigan.
7-44. REWARD GIVEN. 7-44
All who have got that terrible Disease, CATARRH, will get a REWARD by procuring a bottle of
BOR. 363€. 33. PECK'S CATARRH SPECIFIC,
As it was never known to fail in any genuine case of Catarrh, and gives relief the first dose, causing no prostrating effect on the system. Sold by Druggists.
7-44 LOWELL, MICH. 7-44.
C.
DE3€ ROSE DENTIST,
LAKE
SUPERIOR
MAP of the STATE of MICHICAN
Maryuette
Aawtst Marie
Iron Region
CARE
O Traverse Bay Worth Port
Traverse City
HURON
Manitowoc
Meturister
oPere Marquette
Parts
Sheboygan
Bug Rapids Ikonand
Mulland
Pentwater
Baulety
Corley
SAGINAW
Howard
THE. Sogingão
Pierson
X Bridgeport
Muskegon
Esto ssanyong Pune Reste
Mituraukce
GRAND RAPIDS
Henderson
Mit Morris FLINT
Smithsprow
Luns
Ridgeway
Holland
Portland
Romeo
Rexeine
Holland
Delhi Howella
uMasul
Vermyne
Brighton
Butti
Chapins Lestir
Siber Cr.
Blues
crooner
Henry
Oste net
Ryannotte
Trenton
NILTON
Evanston
WhiteladThree Rivers Drutur
Stran Ca. Stbnyer
O CHICAGO
Dowagros
PoKagon
Tuprsbo
LAKE ERIE
rus
TOLEDO
INDIANA
OHIO
back & Leavitt Cowdy History Directory of Mup Publishers Grand Rapids Mich
Merchants Lith.Co.
werial attention given to the preservation of the Natural Teeth. Satisfaction Guaranteed.
SIONITII
Matuwany
»stocks
Marengo ifere cherel
ALBION
Parma
JACKSON
Chette
Venter
SANNARBOR
Ditrtons
DETROIT Avares
KALAMAZOO
Hususta
YMilesour'y.
Geresco
Marshall
Charlotte
Vasters
Duisburgh Marksoh Waterford JrautonPl PONTIAC O.
Kunashi
Pourford Greenville Pewaino Isabella 3
St .Johns
Shepards)
whBarch Run
en
County Line
Grand Haven
Ridge Road
XVII MVNIOVSY
Muskegon
Newuryyo
Berlingo
Jonte
OWOSSO
Grand Blanc
Dors
Bath LANSING
Pennington
Lainysbury
Chsego & Plain Well
S.Huven
VOVNVO
Constantine
Allens
over .
Pittsford
Hudson
Clayton
ADRIAN
Pittura
elislicht
Susale
I'm geonics
Bronson
COLDWATER
. 23 Canal Street. Near Cor. Canal and Lyon.
GRAND RAPIDS.
Green Bay
Poune
Lowell Sarinder
17
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Population of Kent County.
FIRST REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
Pop. 1870.
City of Grand Rapids, 1st Ward.
3,483
2d
4,780
3d
3,906
4th
2,781
66
5th
1,557
SECOND REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
Wyoming Township
1,237
1,787
Paris
66
1,314
1,543
Lowell
1,201
1,503
Bowne
743
1,275
Caledonia
763
1,599
Gaines
870
1,205
Byron
1,039
1,328
THIRD REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
Alpine
1,249
1,446
Walker
1,430
1,675
Plainfield
1,240
1,499
Grand Rapids "
8,085*
1,650
Cannon
1,061
1,126
Ada
1,116
1,427
Vergennes
1,344
1,342
FOURTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
Grattan
1,127
1,298
Oakfield
1,078
1,092
Courtland
..
947
1,338
Algoma
993
582
Sparta Township
939
1,668
Tyrone
172
730
Solon
66
393
911
Nelson
463
1,102
Spencer
66
580
. ..
10,678
Total
*City and Township. 3
30,716
50,330
Cascade
892
1,157
1,583
Village
16,507
Pop. 1860.
12,980
10,165
1,377
Rockford Village
18
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Post-offices in Kent County.
NAME. Ada, Alaska,
TOWNSHIP. Ada. Caledonia.
Alpine,
Alpine. Bowne.
Alto,
Alton,
Austerlitz,
Vergennes. Plainfield. Plainfield.
Belmont, - -
Bostwick Lake,
Bowne, -
Burch's Mills, -
Byron Center,
Caledonia,
Caledonia Station,
Cannonsburg,
-
Casnovia, -
Cedar Springs,
-
Cody's Mills,
-
Courtland Center,
Edgerton, -
Spencer Mills,
Vergennes,
-
-
Fallassburg, -
Gainesville,
-
Grand Rapids, - Grand Rapids City.
Grandville,
Wyoming.
Hammond,
Gaines. Bowne. Walker.
Indian Creek,
Kelloggville,
Paris. - Sparta. Lowell. Plainfield.
Lowell,
Mill Creek,
Nelson.
Nelson,
Byron. Oakfield.
Oakfield,
-
Pleasant,
Rockford,
Algoma. Nelson.
Sand Lake,
Sparta Center,
Spencer Mills,
Vergennes,
-
Sparta. Spencer. Vergennes.
North Byron,
-
Alpine.
Harris Creek,
Lisbon,
Tyrone. - Nelson. Byron. Court land. Algoma. Spencer. Vergennes. Alpine. Vergennes. Gaines. Grattan.
Englishville,
Grattan Center,
Bowne. Algoma. Byron. Caledonia. Caledonia. Cannon.
Cannon.
19
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
COUNTY OF KENT.
The county of Kent was organized in the year A. D. 1836. It was at that time very thinly populated, fifteen years only having elapsed since the first white set- tler placed his foot upon its soil. Rix Robinson came in the year 1821, and re- mained several years almost entirely alone, trading with the Indians. In 1826, Uncle Louis Campau settled here, and from that time forward the county has been steadily settling up.
The soil of Kent, considered as a whole, is not as good as that of some of its neighbors; however, it possesses some of the finest and most productive farms in the State. Some individual townships in the county possess as much good land as can be found anywhere within a limit of thirty-six square miles. But in the northern part of the county especially, there is much poor land, the timber being chiefly pine.
Its railroad facilities within a few years have become quite good, and, we are happy to say, are still improving. The Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad passes through the entire county, from east to west, having stations at Grand Rapids, Lowell and Ada. The Kalamazoo Division of the Lake Shore & Michigan South- ern Railroad comes in from the south, passing through the townships of Byron and Wyoming, and has the following stations : Eagle Mills, Grandville, Scudder and Byron Center, with a northern terminus at Grand Rapids.
The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad passes through the entire length of the county, from north to south, and has the following stations: Cedar Springs, Burchville, Edgerton, Rockford, Child's Mills, Whitney, North's Mills and Grand Rapids, thereby opening up the northern part of the county, whence come most of the lumber and logs in this section. This road has recently been completed between Fort Wayne and Grand Rapids.
The Grand River Valley Division of the Michigan Central Railroad comes in from the south, and passes through the townships of Caledonia, Gaines and Paris, with a northern terminus at Grand Rapids. This road has the following stations: Hammond, Paris and Caledonia.
The villages in the county are all small with the exception of Lowell and Rock- ford; the former having a population of 1503, and the latter 582. Both of these are thrifty, go ahead places, and are rapidly building up.
Grand River enters the county on its east line, and meandering north-westerly and south-westerly, touches in its course eight townships and passes out a little south of a point directly opposite of the place of entrance. At the rapids, in the City of Grand Rapids, it furnishes an immense water power, which has been considerably improved.
Thornapple River forms a junction with the Grand at the village of Ada, the Flat River at the village of Lowell, and the Rouge River at Austerlitz (formerly Plainfield.)
This sketch being intended simply as an introduction, we will leave the more particular history of the county to be treated under the head of the several townships.
20
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
ADA.
Ada township is centrally located in the county ; being bounded on the north by Cannon, on the east by Vergennes, on the south by Cascade, and on the west by Grand Rapids. It was named,-it is said,-after a highly respected lady by the name of Ada Smith, who then resided in the township.
Unfortunately the records of the township are not now in existence previously to the year 1835, which, however, must have been soon after the date of its orga- nization.
The township of Ada originally embraced a large tract of country, including several of what are now the adjacent towns. It was of Ada as it then existed, that Rix Robinson, Esq., was elected the first supervisor. The first entry upon the records, under date of 1835, is to the effect that Norman Smith was elected supervisor by one majority, he receiving in all thirty-two votes.
Supposing that he had but one competitor,-as he probably had,-we estimate the whole number of votes sixty-three. Just think of it! In an extent of terri- tory where there were at the last election at least one thousand votes polled, thirty-five years ago they could muster but sixty-three. Picture in your mind the sights of a "town meeting " during those times. Here they come, one by one. from the different points of the compass, hard-working, honest men. It is a gala day with them. They meet perhaps for the first time in months. They go early and stay late. They urge their brief political campaign in their homely way. They enjoy as well as perform their duty, and then part for the scenes of stern labor. Thus the times count themselves, each year bringing an increase in numbers, until fourth and fifth sub-divisions count more votes than the original united one.
One of the most prominent of the early settlers was Rix Robinson, Esq., the first white man in the township, and one of the first in the country. For a long time he was engaged in the fur trade with the Indians on Grand River. Alone he traversed the forests, and " paddled his own canoe," surrounded with savages by nature,-and sometimes by deed,-but he remained unmolested by them. The spirit of the natives had already been somewhat subdued by the influence of Christianity, and itinerant missionaries were then laboring among them. A tribe of these Indians remained on sections six and seven of the present township of Ada, until about the year 1860 or '61, when they sold their lands, and removed to Pentwater. During the latter years of their residence on these lands, they cultivated the soil, built respectable dwellings, had well organized schools and comfortable churches. They were of the Roman Catholic faith.
Mr. Robinson, or " Uncle Rix," as he is familiarly called, during his sojourn and life among the Indians, became quite attached to them ; so much so that he chose one of their daughters as his partner for life, with whom he now lives. They have but one son, and he is well known throughout Grand River Valley as an energetic business man.
The life of the pioneer is fraught with toil, and peril, and actual suffering. It is pleasant for us to sit by the warm fire on a chilly night, and listen while the grandfather tells of the " dark days," as he once called them, in the history of his experience. We have often heard him repeat the story of the nights he
21
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
spent in the woods alone, far from any house; of fording streams in winter; of encounters with wolves and other animals ; of the poor log house with its stick chimney ; of sickness and death in the family, with no attending physician, and so on through the long lists. But we are not the only delighted one. What a change came over the countenance of the aged man as he recounted those scenes ! Ah! yes, he was "dreaming a dream of the olden time." All was not sorrow, hardship and suffering. It may have seemed to him at the time that it was nearly all " rainy weather ; " but as he now calls up their " shadowy forms," he discovers that
" Taking the year all around * There wasn't more night than day."
Then we have passed through the valley of youth and middle age, and have ascended the hill of years, as we look back into the valley through which we have come, we shall discover many more scenes of real enjoyment than of dis- content. So it is: whatever may be his experience, wherever he may be, in country, town, or wilderness, with pure mind, and a laudable ambition, every individual has his share of the music of life.
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