USA > Michigan > Kent County > History and directory of Kent County, Michigan > Part 15
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GAS.
The Grand Rapids Gas-Light Company was incorporated in 1857, and in No- vember of that year the stores on Monroe street were lit with gas for the first time. Gas-pipes were not extended across the river until 1869.
PLANK ROAD.
The plank road from this city to Kalamazoo was completed in 1854, previous to which, stages were two days in going from one town to the other. The plank road enabled them to make the trip in one day. W. H. Withey was the pro- prietor of the first line of stages on the new road. This road was of immense im- portance to the rising city, and, until the completion of the Detroit and Milwau-
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kee Railroad in 1858, it was the avenue by which nearly all visitors from the east approached the city. The author lias counted as many as 170 teams in one day, coming to the plaster mills in this city and Wyoming township. Many of these teams brought loads of corn and pork for the supply of the Grand Rapids market, which then, as at the present time, furnished immense quantities of those staples to the lumbermen in this vicinity and farther north. In 1869, the toll-gates were abolished, and now the planks are fast breaking up and becoming a nuisance, and in many places are entirely taken up.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper, called the Grand River Timex, was started by George W. Pattison in 1837, and the first number published April 18th, of that year. Several copies of the first number are still extant, having been printed on cloth with a view to their preservation. Uncle Louis Campau has one of these sheets, which was presented to him by the editor, with his name printed on the margin. Mr. Pattison was assisted, as editor, by Noble H. Finney. The press on which this paper was printed was drawn up the river from Grand Haven, on the ice, by a team of dogs. It was purchased the winter previous at Buffalo, by Judge Almy. At Detroit it was shipped for Grand Haven on the steamer Don Quixote, which was wrecked off Thunder Bay, and the press taken around the lakes on another boat. Some years after, the paper passed into the hands of James II. Morse, who published a neutral paper for several years. The political department was di- vided equally between the Whigs and Democrats. Articles were written on the Democratic side by Simeon M. Johnson, C. H. Taylor, Sylvester Granger, and C. I. Walker, and on the Whig side by George Martin, Wm. G. Henry, E. B. Bost- wick, and T. W. Higginson. Finally Mr. Johnson was employed as editor, and in 1841 changed the name of the paper to Enquirer, after the Richmond Enquirer, which was his favorite paper. In 1843, E. D. Burr became a partner, and hoisted the Democratic flag, with the name of John C. Calhoun for President. In 1844, it supported James K. Polk, and published a campaign sheet called Young Hickory. After this the paper was published by Jacob Barnes, as agent, with T. B. Church, as editor. Then C. H. Taylor became partner, and was the editor.
In March, 1855, A. E. Gordon started the Daily Heraldl, which was the first daily paper published in Grand Rapids. This was followed in 1856 by a daily from the Enquirer office, Taylor & Barnes, proprietors, J. P. Thompson, editor. In a short time the two papers were merged in the Enquirer and Herald, Gordon & Thompson, publishers. Mr. Thompson, now assistant editor of the Eagle, lert the Enquirer and Herald, and, associated with Charles B. Benedict, establiscd a semi-weekly paper called the Grand Rapids Press. Gordon continued the En- quirer and Herald until it was closed under a mortgage held by H. P. Yale. It was resurrected by N. D. Titus, who afterwards took in Fordham as a partner, and called the Democrat. M. H. Clark soon after obtained an interest in the paper. Titus went out, and Mr. Clark continued it, with a Mr. Burt as partner. After Mr. Burt left, C. C. Sexton and Robert Wilson had an interest in it, and finally Dr. C. B. Smith. The Democrat, under the able management of Mr. Clark, now boasts one of the finest printing establishments in this part of the state, and is a large, well filled, handsome and prosperous paper.
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The Eagle was commenced as a weekly, December 25, 1844, (the press and type arriving in time to print tickets for Henry Clay), by A. B. Turner, with George Martin and Charles F. Barstow as nominal editors. Early in 1848, Ralph W. Cole was associate editor. In 1851, James Scribner became a partner, but, being a Democrat, had nothing to do with the editorial department. Mr. Scribner's in- terest was purchased by A. B. Turner in the fall of 1852. Immediately after the defeat of Scott in 1852, the Eagle abandoned the Whig organization and advo- cated a new one, which assumed the name of Republican at the Jackson conven- tion, in July, 1851. Mr. Turner started a daily May 26, 1856, with telegraphic dispatches by stage from Kalamazoo. He was assisted during the Fremont cam- paign by Albert Baxter, who continued on the paper until 1860. After that time L. J. Bates, now of the Detroit Post, assisted him until 1865, when Mr. Bax- ter returned. Mr. E. F. Harrington has had an interest in the Eagle since 1865. Mr. J. P. Thompson came in September, 1869, as another assistant. No man iu Grand Rapids has shown more persistent energy, often under the most discourag. ing circumstances, than has Aaron B. Turner, and he is now at the head of a profitable business, and in prosperous circumstances : his printing office being one of the best in the state.
In 1857-8, C. W. Eiton and W. S. Leffingwell published, for a year, a small monthly, called the Young Wolverine, to a file of which we are indebted for some interesting facts. They were then typos in the Enquirer and Herald office. P. R. L. Peirce's exceedingly comical " Rhythmical History of Grand Rapids, More or Less," in choice doggeral, appeared in this little sheet.
In 1857, Thomas D. Worrall started the Great Western Journal, a weekly paper whose high sounding name did not save it from a final collapse in a short time. Several other newspapers have risen and died out since that date.
The Vrijheids Banier -- Banner of Liberty-a paper printed in the Holland lan- guage, is published weekly from the Eagle building, by W. Verburg.
The Times, daily and weekly, C. C. Sexton, proprietor, was started a few months ago, and has achieved a large circulation.
A weekly paper, called the Pioneer, is printed in the German language.
COURT IIOUSE.
For several years, the question of the location of the Court House and County offices agitated the Board of Supervisors at almost every session from 1851 to 1861; and it is not clear that it is yet definitely settled. The first building erected for court purposes, was on the square, directly in front of Mr. A. B. Judd's present residence. It was a wooden structure, two stories high, with an impos- ing cupola in the center of the roof. The second story was used for a court room, and also for religious meetings. The lower floor for a jail, and jailor's residence. In this primitive edifice, Judges Pratt and Whipple of the Circuit, assisted by Side Judge Almy, deceased, E. W. Davis, and P. Tracy, both yet living, ex- pounded and interpreted the law, which was being "practiced" by George Martin, A. D. Rathbone, Sylvester Granger, E. E. Sargeant, and others not now living, and by T. B. Church, John Ball, J. T. Holmes, J. C. Abel, C. P. Calkins, J. S. Chamberlain and S. L. Withey, who are still on terra firma. Those were high old days for the law, and, had not the records of the county been burned in
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January, 1861, some rare information could have been obtained from them ; but much of this is still in the head of a gentleman still living amongst us, who was for fourteen years clerk of the county, and who personally knows more of the days we writeof than any other man in the city, and can recall with photographic exactness a hundred incidents of peculiar interest, touching those palmy days of Grand Rapids, which we hope he may some day find it convenient to give the public.
HON. LUCIUS LYON.
Among the number of those who contributed not a little to the "opening up" of the future of this city, was the Hon. Lucius Lyon, one of the proprietors, with the late Hon. Charles H. Carroll, of that part of the city called the Kent Plat. Believing that salt could be made here, and knowing that this section indicated, geologically, saline springs, he, in 1841, commenced sinking a well on the west bank of the canal, above the big mill, which, after many difficulties and embar- rassments, became a supposed success, and the manufacture of salt was, in 1843- 4 and 5, prosecuted with considerable spirit, by means of boiling and evapora- tion. But it failed of being profitable, owing to the difficulties in keeping out fresh water which diluted the brine. We believe Mr. Lyon expended upwards of $20,000 in this experiment, and his profits were nothing. Subsequently, in 1858 to 1864, Messrs. Ball & McKee, J. W. Winsor, W. T. Powers, C. W. Taylor, and the late James Scribner, with others, renewed the effort to make salt, and several wells were sunk, and several thousand barrels made, but East Saginaw had, in the meantime, found the "Seat of Empire," and, from superior and purer brine, soon demonstrated that she was " master of the situation, and our people could not compete with her, and the works in this city gradually went the way of all unprofitable enterprises.
JUDGE WITHEY.
Hon. Solomon L. Withey was born in St. Albans, Vermont. He came to this city in 1838. After studying law for some time he was admitted to the bar, and became the law partner of Hon. John Ball in 1844. He was also, for several years, law partner of Hon. George Martin, afterwards Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Michigan-now deceased. In 1848 he was chosen Judge of Probate for Kent county, and held that office for four years. In 1860 he was elected State Senator, and served during the regular session, and two extra sessions called to meet the exigencies of the rebellion. Upon the organization of the Western Dis- trict of Michigan, in 1863, he was appointed by President Lincoln to the honora- ble position of United States District Judge thereof, in which capacity he has since served. In 1869 he was tendered an appointment as Judge of the United States Circuit, comprising the States of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennes- see, which, after due consideration, he declined. He is President of the First National Bank of Grand Rapids, and enjoys, to a remarkable degree, the respect and confidence of the public.
W. D. FOSTER.
W. D. Foster came to Grand Rapids, from Rochester, N. Y., in the year 1838. He started a small "7x9" store, at the foot of Monroe street, in 1845, keeping a
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general assortment of tin whistles, patty pans, skimmers, pie plates, and such like, cutting and hammering them all out, and soldering the same with his own hands, there not being business enough to warrant having a journeyman. He did quite a thriving trade for several years, gradually, by great industry, economy and perseverance, accumulating and adding to his slow gains, until, having been prospered, as such men will be, he has become the foremost man in the hardware line in Western Michigan, owner of a large brick block, five stories high, filled from top to bottom with his own merchandise; and not to know Wilder D. Foster is to acknowledge one's self unknown. IIe employs men by the dozens, and his trade is measured annually by tens of thousands. Mr. Foster has had several partners. The firm for a time was Foster & Parry, then Henry Martin and Mar- tin Metcalf became his associates, and it was W. D. Foster & Co. Afterward it was Foster, Martin & Metcalf, then Foster & Metcalf, and, since 1862, W. D. Fos- ter alone. IIe built his present block in 1868. " Live and let live," has ever been Mr. Foster's motto, and, if the gratitude of hundreds to whom he has lent sub- stantial assistance in time of need, is worth anything, he is rich in something better than earthly stores.
HON. P. R. L. PEIRCE.
Probably no man has been more intimately connected with public affairs in Kent county, during the past twenty years, than Hon. P. R. L. Peirce, a native of Genesco, N. Y., or Peter Peirce, as he is familiarly called by half the men in the county. It is possible that some men in the county work harder than Mr. Peirce, and that some man may get off more jokes, but entirely improbable that any other man works as hard and says as many funny things as he does. He came to Grand Rapids to reside in the year 1840, from Detroit, and studied law in the office of Judge Martin, along with Hon. S. L. Withey, acting as Deputy County Clerk in 1842-3. In 1853 and 1854, he was City Clerk, and, in 1854, he was elected Clerk of Kent County, which office he held during a period of fourteen years. He was generally conceded to be as good a County Clerk as any in the State, and was always in high favor with the Judge and members of the bar. The young lawyers regarded him almost as a father, and men from all parts of the county came to him with their grievances, sure of sympathy, and assistance if it lay in his power. During the past eighteen years he has contributed largely to the city press, on various topics of personal and local interest to the community, and is a walking encyclopedia of useful information with regard to all that has transpired in the county since he came here. He enjoyed great popularity with the soldiers during the rebellion, and has worked steadily for their interests at all times. In 1868 he was elected State Senator, in which capacity he has proved one of the most influential men from this part of the State. Ile is now assistant to Hon. William A. Howard, in the Land Office of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, for which position his rare clerical skill renders him peculiarly fitted.
HENRY R. WILLIAMS.
Among those who are worthy to be mentioned as having contributed not a little to the growth of this city, was the late Henry R. Williams. Mr. W. came to Grand Rapids in 1841, from Rochester, N. Y., and entered into business with
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Warren Granger, of Buffalo, N. Y., and occupied one of the Nelson stores, on the corner of Canal and Bronson streets-being now a portion of the Bronson House. The firm of Warren, Granger & Co. were engaged in merchandising, flouring and boating, and Mr. Williams built up a splendid reputation as a prompt, efficient, and reliable business man. He was once a candidate for Congress against Hon. Samnel Clark (lately deceased). His genial companionship, and earnest endeavors to open up this once wild section, endeared him to all of the then denizens ; and the "old settlers " recall his memory with feelings of uniform kindness and pleas- ure. He died some twelve or fifteen years ago. In his lifetime, he built the elegant stone residence ou the hill overlooking Bronson street, now owned by Mr. O. S. Camp.
REV. DR. CUMING.
Any history of this city would be imperfect without a brief reference to Rev. F. H. Cuming, D. D., who died in 1863. Doct. Cuming came here from Ann Arbor (and Rochester, N. Y.) in 1843, and took charge of the Episcopal Church. He was a man of large business capacity, of indomitable energy, and a wonderful perseverance, and, outside of his immediate pastoral labors, he gave much of his time to the various enterprises of a local and public nature, calculated to advance the growth and redound to the interest of the city. He had many tempting offers to go to various cities, where his vast capacity could have a larger field of useful- ness, but he declined them all, for he had great faith in the future of this city and county, and ventured the prognostication that persons were then born who would live to see a population of 30,000 inhabitants here. Doct. Cuming erected the substantial residence (on the hill between Bridge and Bronson), now occu- pied by his esteemed widow and family, and was eighteen years rector of the Episcopal Church, erecting, with the aid of his flock, the large stone edifice on Division, at the head of Pearl street, now occupied by St. Mark's congregation.
REV. JAMES BALLARD.
One of the pioneers who has made his mark in the valley City, is the Rev. James Ballard, a native of Charlemont, Massachusetts, who graduated at Williams Col- lege, and, after residing for some time in Vermont, found his way to this city in 1837. He was pastor of the Congregational Church for ten years, and, during that time, exhibited such zeal and enterprise as will forever associate his name with the history of that society. The old Congregational Church building, in use until about a year ago, was, through his efforts, purchased of Mr. Louis Campau, and Mr. Ballard walked seventeen hundred miles, through the Eastern States, and appealed to the churches there to assist him in buying a Catholic Church building, for the use of a Protestant society. When he had raised the greater part of the sum required, he came home and mortgaged his own property to pay the remainder. (The old church was built by Mr. Campau, in 1837, and, until the last stick of it is in ashes, it will be a monument to the noble, religious zeal of Louis Campau, the Catholic, and James Ballard, the Protestant. Mr. Campau sold it because his business affairs required the use of a part of the money which it cost, and the Church was not able to refund it.) When the church changed hands, the Catholics reserved the iron cross which surmounted the cupola, and, in removing it, a man lost his life.
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Mr. Ballard, as mentioned hereafter, has been, at different times, principal of both the Union Schools in this city. He still resides here, as active as ever, and is now State Agent for the Freedmen's Aid Society, in which capacity he is, as usual, doing a good work. He is also very extensively known for his labors in the Sunday School cause.
GRAND RAPIDS IN 1846.
Prof. Franklin Everett, in the City Directory for 1865, thus describes the infant city of twenty-four years ago :
"We will step back about twenty years to the time when I first saw the village in the wilderness. Then, forty acres was about the extent of the place. Division street might be said to bound civilization on the east, Monroe street on the south, Bridge street on the north, and the river on the west. There were scattered buildings, only, outside of those limits. A wing dam ran half way across the river, and furnished water power for three saw mills, two grist mills, and some minor works. Irving Hall, Fanuel Hall, Commercial Block, Backus' Block, corner of Canal and Bronson streets, and Peirce's Franklin Block, were the stores par eminence-the last two " clear out of town." Sinclair's store, where Luce's Block now is, was the business stand fartherest up Monroe street -- " too far out of town to do business." Canal street was the muddiest hole in all creation. A two foot side walk, supported on posts, kept the pedestrians out of the mud. It must be borne in mind that this street has been filled from five to ten feet. Where Fitch & Raymond's carriage shop now is, and around there, was a fine, musical frog pond ; and there was another, (which by the way is not now altogether filled), north- west of there. The stumps were in the street, and the houses were all one story. Our communication with the outside world was by the Battle Creek stage. Pco- ple came to church with ox teams. They came to worship God-not, as we go now, to show dry goods. There were no fashionables ; men and women dressed plam, and almost all had the ague. Every cow had a bell on, of course; hence we lacked not for music. Wood was one dollar a cord, and a drug at that. Wheat, fifty cents a bushel ; corn, twenty-five cents : venison, half a cent a pound ; pork and beef three cents ; young ladies were scarce and in active demand. Mr. Bal- lard was preaching in the Congregational Church, and got his living by farming. The Episcopal Church was the building, since much improved, opposite Fitch & Raymond's shop. The Catholics used a dwelling house for a chapel. The Metho- dists had their present house. We had no fashionable churches or christians. Poor people could go to meeting and be considered decent ; and I observed that people spoke of the sermons more than the dresses. It was an out-of-the-way, stirring, primitive place, with warm hearts and energetic heads."
THE PRESENT CITY.
On the first day of June, 1870, Grand Rapids contained, according to the United States census, 16,507 inhabitants, and is therefore the second city in the State, in population. It contains fifteen hotels, twenty dry goods stores, upwards of fifty groceries, eight hardware stores, nine drug stores, twelve clothing stores, sixteen boot and shoe stores, six photograph galleries, seven watchmaker and jewelers' establishments, seven printing offices, three book-binderies, upwards of
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fifty lawyers, upwards of forty physicians, fourteen dentists, six banking houses, eight machine shops, five flouring mills, four breweries, six furniture manufac- tories, three large brick manufactories, one fanning mill manufactory, one file manufactory, one mammoth box factory, one file manufactory, one axe factory, two hub factories, two marble cutting establishments, one organ factory, two woolen mills, seven planing mills, eight saw mills, one immense factory for the manufacture of Water's patent barrels, fourteen wagon and carriage manufac- tories, etc., etc. The traveler can approach or leave the city by railroad, in six different directions, and several new roads are contemplated, and will soon be constructed.
A street railway extends from the depot of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad, the full length of Canal and Lyon streets, a distance of over two miles.
WAR RECORD.
Grand Rapids was behind none of her sister cities in her support of the govern- ment during the late civil war. The Third and Eighth infantry regiments had their rendezvous here, and the Second, Third, Sixth, Seventh and Tenth cavalry regiments ; all of which were largely filled by volunteers from this vicinity. Each and all did credit to the city and State on many well fouglit fields.
SCHOOLS.
That portion of Grand Rapids which lies upon the cast side of Grand River, and south of the Coldbrook district, was, in the year 1849, organized under the school law then existing, as School District No. 1, of the City of Grand Rapids. The stone building which stood on the hill, known as the " Central School," was erected in the autumn of 1849. The first school in it was opened in 1850, under the supervision of Mr. Jolinson, with four assistants. Mr. Johnson was soon after succeeded by Rev. James Ballard, who had charge of the school about three years, when he was followed by the late Prot. Edward Chesebro. After Prof. Chesebro resigned, on account of illness, his brother, George Chesebro, was Su- perintendent for a short time, when Prof. Danforth took the place, with Prof- Edwin Strong, as Principal of the High School department. Prof. Danforth re- mained about three years, and was succeeded, in 1863, by Prof. Strong, who has since filled the place to the complete satisfaction of all.
In 1867, the stone building having become too small to accommodate the greatly increased attendance, and as it was thought unsafe by reason of defective walls, the present edifice was commenced. It was completedl and the old build- ing removed in 1868. Having a commanding site, its tower 137 feet high, it is the first object that attracts the eye of a stranger on entering the city, and the last he sees when leaving it. The cost of the building was about $50,000.
Primary No. 1, is a commodious and nicely arranged brick building, on the corner of Division and Bridge streets, and cost about $15,000.
Primary No. 2, is on South Division street. It is a frame building with a brick basement, and has cost about $5,000.
Primary No. 3, is located on Fountain street, east of Prospeet, and is a large wooden structure.
Primary No. 4, is situated on the corner of Wealthy Avenue and Lafayette street, This building was completed in 1869, is of brick, and cost $12,000.
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The West Side Central School building was erected in 1855. and during the summer of 1869, thoroughly overhauled and re-arranged.
In 1869, a brick school house was begun in the Fifth Ward, which, when com- pleted, will cost about $15,000. A part of it is now in use. Prof. S. Montgomery is Supermtendent of the West side schools.
GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS COLLEGE AND TELEGRAPHIC INSTITUTE.
The Grand Rapids Business College and Telegraphic Institute, Swensberg & Robbins, proprietors, has been in successful operation for the last five years, and, during that time, has educated several hundred young ladies and gentlemen. We can safely say that no similar institution in the northwest is more favorably regard: d, or offers better advantages to students, who desire a thorough business education. Prof. C. G. Swensberg, who gives his whole time to the school, with able assistants, is one of the finest penmen and most accomplished teachers in the west. The large and commodious rooms of this institution are located in Luce's Block, Monroe street.
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