USA > Michigan > Kent County > History and directory of Kent County, Michigan > Part 5
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Buenavista is situated on section thirty, near the mouth of Bear Creek. It con- sists of eight or ten dwelling houses, and the Bear Creek flouring mill, erected in 1848, and now owned by Carey & Horton, of Grand Rapids. There is nothing more to be said ot it, save that it is located amidst beautiful scenery, and is some- thing of a wheat mart in the fall of the year.
There are several lakes within the town, but only two are worthy of particular note. Silver Lake, on sections nine and ten, lying just north of and touching the line of the Grand Rapids and Ionia State Road, as its name indicates, is a most beautiful sheet of water, containing about 300 acres.
One mile directly east of Silver Lake we come upon Bostwick Lake, a huge crystal, in emerald setting. No more beautiful scene can well be imagined. Its waters are very cold, evidently emanating from springs, as it has no visible inlet or natural outlet. This was a favorite resort in early days for fishing parties, and parties of pleasure coming from the village often camped on its banks and tarried over night. A huge canoe, fashioned by an Indian, from a white wood tree grown a mile south of Cannonsburgh, was transported with a vast amount of labor to its shores and launched upon its waters. The distance traversed was five miles, occu- pying two days in the transit, and employing four yoke of oxen. There, in the later years, the settlers on lands adjacent to the lake found the deserted canoe, a monster of its kind, over thirty feet in length. Wind and wave have long since done their works upon it; only a fragrant of it remaining as a relic in the family of S. B. Kutz, formerly of Cannon, now a resident of Rockford. This lake also lies north of the State Road, which bends slightly in passing round its southern shore. It contains about 400 acres.
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Ball Ilill is a noteworthy eminence on section one. It rises abruptly from the surrounding country, and lifting its lofty tower above the forest trees, is visible for many miles away. It received its name from its long time-owner, John Ball, of Grand Rapids. It is now the property of Mr. Cowen, and planted with apple trees to its very summit.
CHURCHIES AND SCHOOLS.
There are cight district schools in the town, and two churches. The First Con- gregational Church, (Rev. Mr. Eaton, of Lowell, present officiating pastor,) is a wooden structure 36x50 feet in dimensions. It stands upon a little eminence cast of and commanding a beautiful view of Bostwick Lake. It has a small Cemetery attached. The First M. E. Church, at Steel's Corners, one mile east, was erected in the same year. It is also built of wood and is a trifle smaller than the Congre- gational Church.
The number and prosperity of the schools and churches in the town are a reflex of the intellectual and spiritual enterprise of the people, speaking more than volumes of history for their useful and moral lives.
It is worthy of record here, that, of the first six families settling in the town, namely A. Watson, A. D. W. Stout, I. Tomlinson, E. Whitney, Mr. Rood and J. Thomas, both heads of each family are yet living, and four familes still reside in the town.
It is an equally remarkable fact that the first two white children were born in the families of Mr. Stout and Mr. Watson, on the same day, September 27, 1837. Both were daughters, and there was but two hours difference in their birth. The children were named respectively Mary Stout and Jeanette Watson.
May 6, 1842, the great destroyer entered the family of Mr. Isaae Tomlinson and laid low his little daughter, Martha Jane. This was the first death in the town. occurring among the whites.
Most of the carly settlers are living yet, but some are dead. Of those who are gone, justice demands that, as in a "roll of honor," should be placed the names of E. B. Bostwick, business agent for Mr. Cannon, who died on an overland journey from the States to California ; S. S. Haskins, closely identified with the early his- tory and prosperty of the town, and several years a dealer in dry goods and groceries at Cannonsburgh ; Timothy Wetmore, horticulturist, and at one time an efficient Supervisor of the town, and Benj. Davis, also Supervisor for some years, and dying while yet holling that office. These have passed on, but in the prosperity of the people, and smiling fields from the wilderness reclaimed, their works do yet remain.
CASCADE.
Cascade lies in the second tier of townships from the south and east line of the county, and is bounded on the north by Ada, on the east by Lowell, on the south by Caledonia, and on the west. by Paris. The Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad passes through this town, entering on the north part of section 12, and following the course of the Grand River Valley through the southwest corner of section 1,
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
crossing section 2 in almost a direct line from southeast to northwest, into Ada, where is located its nearest depot, four miles from Cascade village.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
Cascade presents a variety of soil, from light sand and gravel to heavy clay, and is greatly diversified by hills, valleys, streams, lakes, springs and marshes. Grand River flows northwest through sections 12, 1 and 2, into Ada, and the Thornapple-one of the most important tributaries of Grand River -- takes its course north through the centre of the township. Entering Cascade from the south on section 24, it flows through 27, 22, 16, 9, 10, 3 and 4 to Grand River, at Ada village. On the east of the Thornapple, a creek rises in section 11, and enters that stream at section 10. Another, one branch of which rises in section 30, Lowell, and the other in section 1, of Caledonia, forms a junction at section 26, in Cascade, and carries its united currents to the Thornapple at 27; furnish- ing, in its route, water power to a saw mill on section 26. On the west side of the river, a creek rising on section 29, forms a junction with it on section 34. Another having its head on section 19, enters the river at 16. Another, wliose source is a large boiling spring on section 6, in its course of two and a half miles attains considerable size, and empties its waters into the Thornapple at section 9. Remains of an old beaver dam were to be found on this creek, quite recently. On the southeast corner of section 14, is found a lake with a greater depth of water than Lake Erie. The aborigines of the country have a singular supersti- tion with regard to this lake ; never floating their canoes on its bosom, or eating the fish of its waters, asserting that it is inhabited by an " Evil Spirit," or, as they term it, a " Great Snake." Another lake is also found on the line of sec- tions 4 and 5. Also one in the northwest corner of section S, matched by one some forty rods directly south.
TIMBER.
This township contains but little pine, which is sparsely scattered along the borders of its streams. The sandy soil is chiefly oak openings; while the gravel and clay bear some fine sugar orchards and are also productive of beech, elm, aslı, hickory, and a meager supply of white wood.
MINERAL WEALTH.
Lime is manufactured on section 35. Brick have also been manufactured on section 3, and a bed of red ochre lying on section 9 was used in painting some of the first buildings and the old red school house on that section. This mineral is not considered pure enough to be profitably worked. The soil also shows traces of bituminous coal, copper and iron. The latter ore, manifesting itself in mag. netic or mineral springs. One of these, of great power, has been discovered this year, on the farm of James Sutphen, section 26. The water bubbles up from the soil with icy coldness, and flows over a pebbly bed, staining-with brilliant coloring-its stony path. Iron brought in contact with it becomes heavily charged with magnetism. The water has not yet been analyzed.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
This township was at first a part of the township of Ada. Lewis Cook, a
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
native of New Jersey, is said to have been the first settler within the limits of Cascade. IIe removed from that State to Seneca county, New York ; from thence to Washtenaw county, in this State; from which he came, a pioneer set- tler to Cascade in 1836. At or near this time also came Mr. Hiram Laraway to this place from New York. His wife being a sister of Mrs. Cook. But, dis- couraged by the hardships of the wilderness, he soon returned to his native place. In the following year, Edward Linen, a native of Ireland-whose shores he left for America in 1836-settled in Cascade, where he yet resides, a useful, industrious citizen. During the year 1838, and the subsequent year, he was fol- lowed by James May. David Petted, John Farrell, James and William Annis, Michael Matthews, Patrick, Christopher and Michael Eardley, all natives of the same country, most of whom yet survive, orderly citizens of their adopted home. In 1838, Frederick A. Marslı, of New York, united in marriage with Olive Guild, a daughter of Joel Guild, one of the pioneer settlers of Grand Rapids-and began domestic life in the unbroken wilderness, one mile north, and west of where Cas- cade village now stands. Mr. Marsh lived to see the forest yield its place to cul- tivated fields and comfortable dwellings, and to have a school house erected on his own land. He was killed by a fall from his wagon in 1856. Mrs. Marsh, afterwards Mrs. Walden, survived her husband eleven years, and often spoke of those days, when her nearest neighbors were miles away, and for three months at a time she did not see the face of a white man, except her husband, while a human being pass- ing over the newly cut road was arelief to her intense loneliness. She died at the old homestead in 1867.
Sometime during 1839 or 1840, Mr. Laraway returned to his Cascade posses- sions, and was frozen to death between that place and Ada, iu the winter of 1841. Widow Laraway bravely met the heavy burdens of pioneer life, and trained up three sons and a daughter to lives of usefulness. While the name of aunt Mary Laraway became a household word in the community and a synonym of virtue and picty. She lived to see her children settled in life, and died suddenly in the summer of 1869. Her oldest son is well known as the proprietor of a stone- cutting establishment in Grand Rapids.
Peter and George Teeple came to Cascade during these years, joining the set- tlers on the west side of the Thornapple, while the eastern side was yet unmarked by civilization, but inhabited on and near sections 23 and 26, by a colony of about 350 natives, known, through the adoption of the name of their missionary, as the Slater Indians.
In the year 1841, Peter Whitney, of Ohio, moved his family into that part of Cascade known as Whitneyville, and E. D. Gove, of Mass., selected a site for his future home near the center of the township on sections 22, 15 and 14, to which he brought his family in the summer of 1842. Horace Sears, from New York, and Zerah and Ezra Whitney, (father and brother to Peter) accompanied them in their journey and settled in Whitneyville. Mr. Gove yet resides on the land he first settled, on section 15. But the old homestead on section 21-being the second house built on the east side of the river, in this township-having sheltered chil- dren and grand children, was burned in the autumn of 1869. Mr. Sears yet lives in Whitneyville ; and Zerah Whitney, elected Justice of the Peace at the first
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
township meeting-now an aged man-resides with his son Ezra on a farm south of Grand Rapids. Another son of Zerah Whitney, Oscar, died at Whitneyville in 1849. And the remaining sons, Peter, Johnson and Martin, now reside in other parts of the county.
In the Spring of 1845, Asa W. Denison, and family, of Mass., (accompanied by a brother, Gideon H. Denison, look ing for a homestead, to which he brought his family the following year,) came to join the settlers on the west side of the Thornapple. Coming in on the State road, from Battle Creek to Grand Rapids, the teams, women and children of the company, were obliged to wait at Ezra Whitney's public-house, for the road to be " chopped out" between that point and the river, theirs being the first teams that passed over the road. At Cascade they forded the Thornapple with their household goods, and found timbers on the ground for the erection of the old Ferry House, (now Cascade Hotel,) whichi was, at that time, owned by D. S. T. Weller. During that year the house was so far completed as to admit of occupancy, and the first ferry-boat commenced its trips just above where the bridge now spans that stream. D. S. T. Weller then owned the plat of land now occupied by Cascade village, although first pur- chased by Joel Guild; and it was at that time staked out into lots of one acre each, as the fine fall on the river gave hopes for the speedy erection of mills at that place, some of the most sanguine settlers phophesying that Cascade would outstrip Grand Rapids in the strife for precedence. Mr. W. sold out his prop- erty here to W. S. Gunn, in 1846, who held it until after the organization of the township. Mr. Weller ultimately settled in Grand Rapids city, where he re- mained until he transferred his home to Detroit, in 1869.
During the year 1845, a disease, which our old settlers denominate the black tongue, broke out among the Indians near Whitneyville, reducing their number in a few weeks to about 200 persons. The band now became slowly wasted by disease and removal, until less than fifty remained at the time of their removal to the Indian Reservation in 1856. In the year 1846, another family was added to the few settlers, of the east side of the river ;- Jared Strong, the first settler in the forest between E. D. Gove and Ada. The following year a school was opened in a little log house on the river bank, section 27, for the few pupils of that vicinity. Who the young woman was, to whom belongs the rank of pioneer teacher, we have been unable to ascertain, or whether this was the first school taught in the township. It was certainly the first on the east side of the river ; and the lum- ber sawn for the Whitneyville school house, erected in 1848, was among the first work done by the old saw mill, on Sucker Creek, then owned by Peter Whitney. Abont this time, also, the Kalamazoo stage made its trips through Whitneyville- via Ada-for Grand Rapids.
ORGANIZATION.
The first township meeting was held at Whitneyville, April 3, 1848, and the following board of township officers was elected :
Supervisor-Peter Teeple. Clerk -- John R. Stewart. Treasurer-Asa W. Denison. School Inspectors-James II. Woodworth, Thomas I. Seeley. Com- 7 -
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
missioners of Highways -- Ezra Whitney, Fred. A. Marsh, Wm. Degolia. Justices of the Peace-Leonard Stewart, Zerah Whitney. Assessors-Thomas I. Seeley, Harry Clark. Constables-Morris Denison, O. P. Corson, Wm. Cook, Peter J. Whitney.
Of the above board, Peter Teeple is yet a respected member of the township. J. R. Stewart, after filling other offices of trust, and teaching for several terms the Cascade school, removed to the city, where he now resides. A. W. Denison, was also a recipient of the various gifts of the voting public, for many years, and died from injury by the kick of a colt, in 1857, aged 52 years, universally mourned by his townspeople. His widow-now Mrs. Johnson-yet lives, and to her are we indebted for much of our information in regard to the early days of Cascade. J. H. Woodworth is now engaged in fruit culture in the north part of the township, near Ada village. Of T. I. Seeley we have known nothing since 1853. Messrs. Whitneys and Marsh, we have spoken of in our preceding pages. Wm. Degolia amassed a fine property, and left the county in 1869. A few months after his removal, his body was brought back for burial. L. Stewart is also with those, who, sleeping, dream not! Harry Clark yet lives, where he first broke ground, a hale old man. Mr. Denison is a thriving farmer on the north line ot the township.
About the year 1848, W. II. Chillson came to Cascade and erected a small dwelling house near the hotel ; also a log house just across the river, to which, in 1849, Rev. Erie Prince, of Ohio, brought a small stock of Yankee notions and opened a store, or grocery, for those whose nearest trading point was Grand Rapids. Elder Prince deserves more than a passing notice. IIe soon identified himself with the religious, and educational needs of the young community. He held at one time the office of School Inspector, and, up to the time of his death, worked actively in the Sunday school cause, as Superintendent in the different neighborhoods, now grown around the first nucleus of settlers. Was a picnic or temperance meeting to be looked after, or were chastened hearts called to lay their treasures in the dust, Elder P. was ever found ready to speak the kindly word, pour forth the earnest appeal, or -- with tender thought of sympathy-lead the sorrowing mourner to Him, who is the " resurrection and the life." The fathers and mothers of the little ones of to-day' remember with affectionate respect the tall, slightly bowed form, the kind face, the searching, yet mild grey eye, and the hand lightly laid on the head, as he passed them with some friendly question, or brief admonition-seed sown in life's morning time ! In the autumn of 1853 he was called upon to speak before the Kent County Agricultural and Horticultural Society, at Grand Rapids, October 6th; and his address will be found in the records of the society, for that year. About the year 1856, lie donated to the township of Cascade the land occupied by the Cascade cemetery ; and there his body lies buried. His grave is shadowed by a young oak, and unmarked-by an explicit clause in his will-by a headstone. He died August 7, 1862, aged 65. In church connection he was a Presbyterian.
We have been unable to learn the precise time that a postoffice was given this township. We think, however, it was established at Whitneyville, soon after its organization. The first Postmaster was Clement White, who held that position
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
with only an intermission of one or two years, until the office was discontinued in 1868.
A postoffice was also established at Cascade in 1834, postmaster Dr. M. W. Alfred, first resident physician. A store was opened the same year at Cascade by Seymour Sage, and William Gardner. When the drumbeat of the Union echoed through our land in 1861, Cascade was not forgetful of her trusts and privileges as a small member of a great country. It is to be regretted that no complete list of those who donned the soldier's uniform has been preserved. We have called to mind eighty volunteers, and the number is probably about a hundred. Of those who never returned we are also unable to give a perfect record. But, from every battle field of the Republic from 1861 to the close of the contest, came back a voice bidding some heart grow chill with pain, yet glow with hallowed pride, for the souls that were " marching on !"
CASCADE TO-DAY.
Cascade has been an organized township for twenty-two years, and, according to the census for 1870, has 1175 inhabitants. Children, between the ages of five and twenty, by report of public schools, 1869 -- 416. Votes cast at the last April election-227. Property assessed, real estate, $204,107 ; personal, $32,317.
The following is the present Board of township officers: Supervisor, Edgar R. Johnson; Clerk, Henry C. Denison ; Treasurer, Geo. W. Gorham; Justices of the Peace, Geo. S. Richardson, John F. Proctor, Lawrence Meach, Hugh B. Brown ; School Inspectors, E. R. Johnson, Chas. F. Holt; Highway Commissioners, Jona- than W. Sexton, Clinton A. Wood, Chas. M. Dennison ; Constables, S. G. Fish, T. J. Hulbert, Miner Spaulding, Warren Streeter.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
Cascade can claim one or two school houses of decidedly fine appearance and convenience. But many of her school buildings are those erected iu her infancy, and are wholly inadequate to the demands of the present school population. A movement is being made, however, to remedy this defect in many districts.
Fler present number of districts is ten. District No. 10 was organized in 1847. There is a frame house on section 35, built in 1848. District No. 4 was organized in 1847, and built a small frame house on section 9: are now (1870) erecting a fine structure on the same site, on the Caseade and Grand Rapids road, one mile from Cascade village. District No. 1 was organized in 1848, and built a school . house in 1849, on section 29, which stood until 1869, when a frame house was erected on the same site. Distriet No. 2 was organized in 1849, and built a small log house on seetion 10, which yet stands. District No. 12 (fractional district, Cascade and Paris) was organized in 1849, and built a small frame house on sec- tion 31, in 1850. In 1887 a good frame house, painted white, and protected by window blinds, was erected. District No. 3 was organized in 1853, and built a frame house on section 14, in 1854. District No. 8 has a frame school house, painted white, built in 1856, on section 8. Fractional Distriet No. 10 (Cascade and Lowell) was organized in 1859. and has a small log house on east side of see- tion 13. District No. 5 was organized in 1857, and school taught in a small log house on south side of section 33; was reorganized in 1860 and log house built in
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
center of section 33. This was burned in 1867, and a temporary building has supplied its place until the present year. A fine house is now in process of erec- tion on section 28. District No. 6 was organized about 1860, and has a nice frame school building, painted white, and fitted with black walnut furniture, on sec- tion 26.
CHURCHES.
Only one church edifice has as yet been erected in Cascade. This has been built by the Roman Catholic Brotherhood, and stands on the northeast corner of section 31. It was built in 1856, and cost about $1,000. The building is of wood, with a stone foundation. The society worshiping here was founded by Fathers Decunic and Fizaski. The latter was parish priest in 1849, when the church mem- bers were few and worshiped in private houses. Now the church numbers about 47 families, to whom Father Rivers preaches monthly. A Sabbath School is con- neeted with the church. The M. E. Church also has two classes in this township, numbering about 60 members and worshiping in school houses. The United Brethren persuasion have a small charge of about a dozen members. And the " Christians " also hold public worship, but the strength of the order we have not ascertained.
We regret our inability to give the number and membership of our Sunday Schools; though nearly every district has one connected with its regular church worship.
CEMETERIES.
Cemeteries are located on section 31-Catholic. Section 16-Cascade Burial Ground. Section 35 -Whitneyville. Section "-West part of township.
CASCADE VILLAGE.
Cascade village is located on the line of sections 9 and 16, on the west side of the Thornapple river. It contains a Hotel, now owned by DeWitt Marsh, where all township business is transacted ; a general store, and Post-office, in charge of E. D. Johnson ; flouring and saw mills, owned by H. L. Wise and Jacob Kusterer : a physician's office, occupied by Dr. Danforth; and less than a dozen private resi- dences. The flouring mill is a large, well constructed building, with a capacity for three run of stone. Dr. Danforth is the resident physician, and is making preparations for opening a drug store in connection with his office. His practice is Eclectic.
Gaylord Holt, professor and teacher of music, resides one mile north of Cas- cade, on the river road. This was also the former home of Hon. II. H. Holt, now of Muskegon, who has represented his district in the State Legislature.
WHITNEYVILLE.
Whitneyville is a point on the oldl State Road, between Battle Creek and Grand Rapids ; and is situated on section 35. A Hotel, erected there in 1853, and famil- iarly known as the Whitney Tavern Stand, yet opens its doors to the public, under charge of S. F. Sliter. James Sutphen now owns the old Whitney saw mill on section 26.
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
COURTLAND.
Courtland is bounded on the north by Nelson, on the east by Oakfield, on the south by Cannon, and on the west by Algoma.
Barton Johnson, the first settler of the township, located in May, 1838. 1Ie is still a resident, and may be found on the west half of the southwest quarter of section twenty-two. Alexander Dean settled in the township in 1839. He was the first to locate lands, selecting the northeast quarter of section twenty-one. The manner in which this tract came to be located by him is quite amusing. Mr. Dean and fifteen others came into the country to select homes and lands, with the understanding that the right of first choice should be decided among them by lot. So they drew, and lo and behold the lot fell upon-not Jonah, but Alexan- der, and he therefore exercised the right of first choice by selecting the piece just mentioned.
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