USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. I > Part 73
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
Hosted by
560
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
the pair superseded the "tickers." They were a marvelous curiosity to thousands in those days and became an impelling influence which later manifested itself in the remarkable development of telephone installation and service in Grand Rapids. Mr. Converse died at Boston, Mass., Aug. 22, 1894.
THE LADIES' LITERARY CLUB
In 1869, Mrs. S. L. Withey, while at Kalamazoo, was inspired by the work being done there, introduced by Mrs. Lucinda Stone. Upon her return, Mrs. Withey enlisted the interest of Mrs. L. D. Putman, Mrs. H. J. Hollister, and Mrs. S. L. Fuller, and a history class was organized. The first meeting was held in the Park Congre- gational church and Mrs. Stone, who was present by invitation, out- lined plans for an organization. The greatest obstacle was the lack of reference books, and as a result, on March 21, 1870, the Ladies Library Association was organized; and this was the real beginning of the Ladies' Literary Club, which is one of the prominent societies of Grand Rapids and one of the leaders among the organizations of its kind in the United States. The account of the library that resulted from this organization is given in connection with that of the Grand Rapids Public Library. On April 10, 1873, a number of the ladies met for the formation of a literary club, of which Mrs. L. D. Putnam was chosen as the first president, Mrs. Z. E. Bliss as vice-president, Mrs. M. S. Crosby as treasurer, and Mrs. S. E. Torrey as secretary. Within a year there were 172 members, and in spite of some opposi- tion the club continued to grow. The ladies took a prominent part in educational work, they promoted the establishment of a kinder- garten, and in July, 1873, they presented a petition to the Board of Education relative to the building of school houses. Mrs. S. L. Withey was appointed representative to attend a Congress of Women held in Chicago, in October, 1874, and she brought back stirring news of the advancement of women, which filled the members with greater enthus- iasm in their chosen work. The club at Grand Rapids was used as a model for the formation of similar clubs throughout the state. In 1876 a history of the club was prepared for the Centennial exhibition at Philadelphia and Dr. Francis A. Rutherford represented the club at the Women's National Convention, held in that city. The club was incorporated, in 1882, as "The Ladies' Literary Club of Grand Rapids," and in December, 1886, the advisability of buying a lot and building a club house was suggested. Lot 5 in Block 17 of Bostwick & Company's addition on Sheldon avenue between Island and Oakes streets, was purchased, the corner stone was laid with impressive cere- monies on July 30, 1887, and the building was finished and its doors opened to members on Dec. 31 of the same year. In 1891 the Na- tional Association for the Advancement of Women accepted the invita- tion extended by the ladies of Grand Rapids, and this meeting was largely attended by prominent women throughout the country, who greatly enjoyed the city's hospitality. The Ladies' Literary Club is an organization of which Grand Rapids is proud. It is the largest organization of its kind in the world and its name is known in every civilized country. By 1896 its fame had spread to such an extent that
Hosted by Google
561
ODDS AND ENDS
Mrs. Perkins was a delegate to the meeting of the general federation of women's clubs, at Louisville, Ky., and gave a paper on "How the Ladies of Grand Rapids Built Their Club House." In the same year the club joined the State Federation of Clubs. The twenty-fifth anni- versary of the organization was celebrated on April 10, 1897. The club has taken an interest in the literary and civic life of the city and many men and women of note from time to time have appeared upon its lecture platform. The literary work of many of its members has been of high order and has received nation-wide recognition.
THE ST. CECELIA SOCIETY
In September, 1883, Mrs. Ella Mathews Peirce conceived the idea of founding a woman's musical club, for the purpose of advancing the art among the music lovers of Grand Rapids, and she succeeded in obtaining the assistance of other ladies in the work. On Sept. 7 the first meeting was held with nine members present: Mrs. Peirce, Mrs. D. B. Shedd, Mrs. Robert W. Merrill, Mrs. Lyman E. Patten, Mrs. Annie McLaren, Miss Mary Atwater (afterward Mrs. C. B. Kelsey), Miss Louise Nelson, Miss Gertrude Baars, and Mrs. F. M. Davis. The decision at that first meeting was that it should be an informal club only, but it was later converted into a stronger organization, with Mrs. Peirce as president, Mrs. E. F. Uhl as vice-president, Mrs. F. M. Davis as secretary, and Mrs. D. B. Shedd as treasurer. At the suggestion of Mrs. George G. Briggs the club was named "St. Cecelia Society." During the first year the membership increased from the original nine to 100, and in 1887 the club became a real edu- cational organization by admitting student members. In 1891 a lot on Ransom street north of Fulton street was purchased, and in 1893 the corner stone was laid for the commodious building which has ever since been the home of the society. From the beginning the organization has been prosperous, and it has been and is of inestimable service to those who are striving to learn something of "the only art of heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to heaven."
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
Of the veteran soldier organizations the Grand Army of the Re- public made its first appearance in Grand Rapids, June 28, 1869, when Custer Post No. 5 was chartered. On March 16, 1887, John A. Logan Post No. 1 was chartered and holds its meetings at the National Home, where it has a fine post room. Amasa B. Watson Post No. 395, was chartered in October, 1888, and it yet has a considerable mem- bership. There are Women's Relief Corps connected with the Grand Rapids G. A. R. posts.
The Society of the Army of the Cumberland held its reunion here on Sept. 16 and 17, 1885, and on the same occasion were reunions of the Mexican war veterans, the Sons of Veterans, the old Third in- fantry, and the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics. An address of welcome was made by Gov. Russell A. Alger, to which Gen. Philip H. Sheridan responded, and other orations were delivered by Gen. R. D. Mussey, Senator Thomas W. Palmer, and Hon. B. H. Cochran, of Toledo. On the same occasion the ceremony of unveiling the Sol-
I-36
Hosted by Google
562
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
diers' and Sailors' Monument, on the triangular park by the head of Monroe avenue, took place, at which the presentation address was made by the Hon. Thomas D. Gilbert, the acceptance by Gen. Byron R. Pierce, and the oration by the Hon. Charles W. Watkins, in behalf of the Grand Army of the Republic. The air was vocal with military music, there was a fine procession in the streets, and the exercises closed with a military banquet at Luce's hall. It was estimated that there were more than 30,000 visitors in the city.
Gen. Byron R. Pierce for a time was in command of the Third Michigan infantry, and at the battle of Gettysburg, his superiors being disabled, the command of the brigade devolved upon him. His heroic stand at the Peachtree is claimed to have saved the day and turned the tide of victory to the Union arms. General Pierce is still a resident of Grand Rapids, and at a very advanced age is hale and hearty, enjoying the respect and esteem of an extremely large circle of friends and admirers.
Commodore John L. Worden, the hero of the Monitor in its ever memorable battle with the Confederate iron-clad, the Merrimack, was a resident of Grand Rapids for a number of years. He is well re- membered by our older citizens.
Grand Rapids had among her honored citizens two Mexican war veterans-Gen. A. T. McReynolds and Col. Daniel McConnell. Both were active in the Civil war operations, both at home and in the field, and are recalled to memory with due veneration.
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Among the societies in the Valley City, Kent Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution enjoys an honorable distinction. It meets monthly at the homes of members, and on Jan. 11 of each year it holds its annual meeting, that date being the anniversary of Michi- gan's admission as a territory, in 1805. The society was organized, Jan. 15, 1897, as the result of a petition to the Michigan society for permission to form a local chapter, signed by eleven members who were residents of Grand Rapids. This petition being granted, a meeting was held on Dec. 2, 1897, at which time a constitution and by-laws was adopted and twenty-six became charter members. The name first decided upon was "Western Michigan Chapter," but on March 24, 1914, the old charter was surrendered and a new charter was granted, the name being changed to "Kent Chapter." On June 23, 1910, the society celebrated Founders' Day and with appropriate ceremony placed a bronze tablet on the National City Bank building as marking the site of the Guild home, the first frame building erected in Grand Rapids, in which was held the first township election and the first white wedding. Among the prominent members of this chapter are United States Senators John Patton, Jr. (deceased), and William Alden Smith, Maj .- Gen. Byron R. Pierce, of Civil war fame, and Brig .- Gen. Louis C. Covell, now serving with the United States forces in France.
A chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution has also been or- ganized in Grand Rapids. It meets regularly at the homes of its members and considerable interest is manifested in the society. Mrs. L. Victor Sidell, Mrs. Huntley Russell, and Mrs. Lucius Boltwood are active members.
Hosted by Google
563
ODDS AND ENDS
ART-PAINTING
Grand Rapids is not without a goodly number of fine-art devotees, and among citizens of the Valley City there have always been some who were gifted in that line. Probably among the first was Charles F. Moore, who showed taste and talent in portraiture in the early fifties, and some of his amateur pieces were much admired. Mrs. Ezra T. Nelson quite early attracted attention as a delineator in water colors and in oil. Marinus Harting, who came from Holland to Grand Rapids in 1854, and resided here during the remainder of his life, was an artist of much genius. Landscape painting was the specialty in which he was drilled, but later in life he developed taste and aptitude for portrait work also. He opened a studio here and soon gathered a class of ambitious young students. Among these were Fred S. Church and Lawrence C. Earle, who have won much more than local distinction; Annette Henry, Sarah Nelson, Mary Cuming, Maria Winslow, and Mollie A. Kingsbury. Several of the larger landscape pieces painted by Harting are still preserved and highly valued by the owners.
Fred S. Church became a well known celebrity in New York and won a national reputation in the line of art illustrations, and Lawrence C. Earle, who still resides in Grand Rapids, has won envi- able distinction in the line of game painting-flesh, fish and fowl. Among other local artists have been Mrs. L. H. Randall, Mrs. B. A. Harlan, Mrs. G. C. Fitch, Mary Luther Barclay, Mrs. Torrey, and Mrs. E. M. Coppens. William Howe, who took honors in Paris for fine animal pictures, was for a time, when he began his studies, a resi- dent of Grand Rapids and a clerk in the dry goods trade. In 1888 he was awarded a medal at a Paris exposition. Peter E. Rudel, who also became noted in Parisian art circles, was at one time a worker at the plasterer's trade in Grand Rapids and was a self-taught artist. J. G. Fisher, also of Grand Rapids, and who won marked distinction in New York as a crayon sketch artist, began the exercise of his taste and development of his skill while employed as an engineer in this city.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
Grand Rapids was originally a furniture center almost exclusively, and while it still leads the world as a furniture market, diversified industries have been developing very rapidly until today the city is no longer a one-industry town. The leading industry, as has been shown in a preceding chapter, is furniture, over sivty factories being engaged in making the world's best product in that line; the second largest industry is that of flour and grist mill products; the third, machinery, and the fourth, printing. The largest factory in the world making folding paper boxes is located in Grand Rapids; the largest carpet sweeper factory and refrigerator plants are here; the largest and second largest showcase factories in the world are located in Grand Rapids ; the only factory in the world making belt lacing machines and metal belt lacers is located in Grand Rapids, as is also the only factory in the world making shoe button fastening machinery. The city is the largest producer in the world of gypsum products, many rich deposits being located right at the city's doors. The city
Hosted by Google
564
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
also ranks first in the production of sticky fly-paper, "Tanglefoot" being the trade-mark for a world-famous brand. The largest window sash pulley factory in the world is located at Grand Rapids, and the city is also the largest producer of dry kilns and veneers. The largest factories in the world making excelsior and asphalt shingles are also located in Grand Rapids. In addition to the above, the largest factory in the United States making opera chairs, school seats and church pews is located in Grand Rapids; also the largest manufacturers of manual training equipment in this country make Grand Rapids their home. One of the largest and best band instrument factories in the world is located in Grand Rapids. The city also produces large quan- tities of knit goods and brass findings, there being several large plants turning out these products.
Samuel F. Perkins, a settler of 1836, at an early day opened a tannery on the east bank of the river, a short distance above Michigan street. This was the pioneer plant in an industry that has always been prominent in Grand Rapids, at least six being in operation at the present time.
The city has developed industrially faster than the country at large. Its manufactured products are shipped to all civilized countries of the earth, giving the city an international reputation. The value of its manufactured products is upwards of $50,000,000 annually.
PICRIC ACID PLANT
As a direct result of the great world war Grand Rapids has be- come the location of an immense governmental industry. A huge plant, occupying in the neighborhood of 1,400 acres of ground and employing 2,000 or more men, is in course of construction as this volume is being printed. It means that Grand Rapids has entered upon war work on a large scale and that the population of the city and its environs will be increased by thousands. The construction plans call for the employment of some 11,000 men upon the erection of the buildings. The site is in Wyoming township, three miles south of the city, and lies along Back creek, west of the Grand Rapids & Indiana railway and the Kalamazoo interurban. The plant will cost between $5,000,000 and $6,000,000, and will consist of an administra- tion building, several factory buildings of immense proportions, a building for the quarter-master, quarters for a company of Federal guard troops, a water supply system, and a complete industrial rail- road system with connections. The buildings, it is said, will cover approximately fifty acres, and the construction will be fireproof throughout. The plant is being constructed and will be owned by the government, and after completion will be devoted to the manufac- ture of picric acid, with a capacity of 5,000,000 pounds per month.
As to the permanency of the institution the government gives no pledges or promises beyond the duration of the war. The investment will be so large, however, and the buildings so well fitted for manu- facturing purposes that no apprehension is felt that permanent use will not be found for it. And besides there are rumors, seemingly well founded, that the government contemplates the establishment here of a complete aeroplane plant. Aeroplane parts have been manu-
Hosted by Google
565
ODDS AND ENDS
factured here for the past year, and it is rumored that there will soon be established a plant for the assembling and completion of aero- planes, with a large flying field. In fact it is asserted that options have already been secured upon a large tract of land for this purpose.
ADDITION TO PARK SYSTEM
On another page of this volume is given an extended description of the park system of Grand Rapids. An important addition has been made to it by the recent transfer to the city of the magnificent park lands known as the "Hodenpyl Woods," located in the vicinity of Reed's Lake. With this addition the park system of the city is greatly extended, and the transfer has been made through the gener- osity of Anton G. Hodenpyl, formerly of Grand Rapids, but now a resident of New York city, where he is one of the leaders in financial affairs. Mr. Hodenpyl achieved his early success in Grand Rapids, where he became prominently connected with the Michigan Trust Company and other leading financial and industrial institutions, and since taking up his residence in America's metropolis it is a pleasure to know that he has maintained an affection for the city of his earlier successes. The transfer of the "Hodenpyl Woods" that it may become a part of Grand Rapids' magnificent park system is an evidence of that affection.
A FEW IMPORTANT FACTS
Grand Rapids is the sixth healthiest large city in the United States and the healthiest east of the Mississippi river.
Grand Rapids leads the world in infant welfare work.
Grand Rapids is the largest city in the United States to vote itself dry and is the largest city without a burlesque theatre.
No bank has ever failed in Grand Rapids.
The assessed valuation of the city is over $172,000,000.
The bank clearings in 1916 were $227,000,000.
There are nine National and State banks, two private banks and two large trust companies in Grand Rapids.
There are five building and loan associations operating in Grand Rapids, and these associations have about 9,000 members.
Fifteen million dollars has been spent in Grand Rapids in the past four years in the construction of new buildings.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS
While the city of Grand Rapids, because of its importance as a commercial and manufacturing center, is rightly given precedence when Kent county is mentioned, yet it should not be overlooked that the pre-eminence of the Valley City is due in no small measure to the fertile fields of the surrounding country and the progressive citizens found throughout the county. In the different political divisions of the county thriving villages have sprung up, in which are carried on industries that, were they not brought into comparison with the larger ones of the city, would more positively impress one with their im- portance. These villages are flourishing marts of trade, supported by the farming population in their respective communities, and the rela-
Hosted by Google
566
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
tions thus existing makes a community of interest, the realization of which contributes to the prosperity of all. Among these villages may be named Caledonia, Cannonsburg, Cascade, Cedar Springs, Com- stock, Grandville, Kent City, Rockford, Sand Lake, Sparta, Lowell, and a number of others, all of which are given appropriate mention on other pages of this volume, and the history of which practically begin with the history of their respective townships. Among the villages which more recently have risen to places of some importance may be mentioned Alto, Byron Center, Dutton, Evans, Reed's Station, and Ross Station.
Alto is situated in an excellent farming section on the line be- tween Bowne and Lowell townships. It is a station on the Perre Mar- quette railroad, with telegraph and express offices. Its industries are represented by a creamery, grain elevator, lumber yard, drug store, two implement and vehicle establishments, livery stable, bank, garage, clothing and shoes, variety store, produce, hotel, meat market, black- smith shop, furniture store and a furniture and undertaking establish- ment. It is also an excellent livestock market. Population, about 400.
Byron Center is located, as its name indicates, at the center of Byron township, and it enjoys the advantages gained from that ex- cellent agricultural district. It is a station on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad and has a population of about 300. It has a blacksmith shop and wagon-making establishment, hotel, implement store, creamery, grain and fuel store, several general stores, a bank, meat market, garage, harness shop, tin shop and a drug store.
Dutton is the chief trading center in Gaines township. It is a station on the Michigan Central railroad, has a population of about 150, and its activities are represented by an elevator, implement store, two general stores, a blacksmith shop and a wagon shop.
Evans is located in the northeast corner of Courtland township on the Grand Trunk railroad. It has a small population, two general stores, and coal, cement, and produce dealers.
Reed's Station is another hamlet that the construction of the Grand Trunk railroad through the northern part of the country brought into existence. It is situated in Algoma township and has a general store.
Ross Station is on the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad in Byron township and is the location of a wholesale and retail celery establish- ment. There is also a general store in the hamlet.
Hosted by
Hosted by
Hosted by
9-13.83
Hosted by
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.