USA > Michigan > Kent County > History and directory of Kent County, Michigan > Part 6
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These sixteen persons located land contiguous to each other, and moving to the township a short time afterward, organized it, and resided there alone for a num- ber of years-or until about the year 1844, or 1845. when they were joined by llorace Colby, Philip Becker, the two Thompsons, and others. The first town- ship meeting was held at the residence of Barton Johnson, in the spring of 1839.
Among the other early settlers of the township were the following named per- sons : Thomas Addison, John Austin, Sabin Johnson, Benjamin Botsford, David Ilaynes, Lauren Austin, Iram Barnes, Anson Ensign, Philo Beers, James Kinyon, the Rounds and Hunting families, Zenas B. White, and others.
The present township of Courtland, together with some five other townships, were united under the name of Courtland, about the year 1839. Subsequently Algoma was detached from this organization, and still later by a legislative mis- take, Oakfield and Courtland were reorganized under the the cuphonious name of Wabasis.
The first officers of the township were : Supervisor, Philo Beers; Clerk, Thomas Addison. The records do not give the names of the persons filling the less im- portant offices.
The
PRESENT OFFICERS,
are, Supervisor, Wm. Il. Myers; Clerk, Isaac M. Hunting; Treasurer, Frederick C. Stegaman; Justices of the Peace, Joseph Salkeld, Henry D. Burlingame, Wm. H. Myers, Thomas Addison ; Commissioners of Highways, Simon P. Peterson, Ezra Stoner, Jos. Salkeld ; Constables, Robert Carlyle, John Peterson, Peter Cud- ington, Cornelius Richardson ; School inspectors, Nelson Graham, Charles H. Carlyle.
TILE SOIL
of Courtland is mostly good. The southern part is what is called timbered open- ings; the northern part is timbered with pine, mixed with hard wood, and the soil is less productive than the southern part. There are many better townships ; but yet there is some land within its bounds that cannot be outdone in the production of the staple crops.
There are many fine farms in Courtland, among which are those of Alexander Dean, Joseph F. Hayes, Calvin and Almon Thompson, Philip Becker, Jacob Sny-
54
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
der, Daniel S. Moore, Edward S. Fuller, Nathan D. Saunders, Zenas B. White, Wm. H. Myers, Horace Colby, Robert Cornell and Noah R. Ashley.
THE LAKES.
In this township are few in number. Silver Lake, the largest, is situated on sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight. It is triangular in shape, being about one and one-half miles in length by one half mile in breadth in the widest place. It has fine gravelly banks, and is one of the most beautiful lakes in the county. Johnson Lake, a small, but fine body of water, is situated on the southeasterly portion of section twenty-two. Big and Little Brower Lakes are situated on the southern part of section thirty-four. Both of them are small.
THE SCHOOL HOUSES
are numbered and located as follows: The Round's school house, in district No. 8, is located on the south line of section thirty, is a small, red, frame structure, and was built in the year 1860.
The Stinson school house, in district No. 1, is situated on the south line of sec- tion twenty-eight. It is a wooden building, painted white, and was built some twelve years ago.
The Shank school house, district No. 2, is located on the north line of section twenty-nine, near the residence of G. Shank. It is a respectable looking. red, framed structure.
The Graham school house, in district No. t. a small, frame building, painted white, is located on the cast line of seetion twenty-seven.
The Becker school house, in district No. 4, is located on the south line of section twenty-five. It is a small, white, framed structure, and has been built some fifteen years.
The Smith school house, in district No. 6, is built of logs, and is situated on the north line of section two.
The Courtland Center school house, in district No. 3, is located on the north line of section twenty-two, one-half mile east of the centre of the township. It is a fine, framed structure, painted white, and has been standing but two years.
The Benham school house, in district No. 5, is located on the west line of sec- tion nine. It is a framed building, painted red, and was erected in the year 1860.
MILLS.
The Becker Shingle Mill, Jacob Becker, proprietor, is located on the north line of section twenty-three. It was built in the year 1868.
The Davis steam saw and shingle mill combined, is located near the centre of section 10. It was erected in the year 1869. Iliram R. Davis, proprietor.
The Becker saw mill, Garrett Becker, proprietor, is located near the northwest corner of section eight. It was erected in the year 1867.
The Anderson saw mill, John H. Anderson, proprietor, is located near the south line of section 7, on Potter Creek. It was built in the year 1866.
55
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
The Porter shingle mill, Dennis Porter, proprietor, is located on Porter Creek, near the centre of section ". It was built in the year 1868.
The
COURTLAND CENTER HOUSE
is the only hotel in the township. It is situated at Courtland Center, on the southwest corner of section 15. It is a fine, framed structure.
GAINES.
The township of Gaines-town 5 north, of range 11 west -is situated in the southern tier of townships of Kent county. It is bounded on the north by Paris. on the east by Caledonia, on the south by Leighton, Allegan county, and on the west by Byron.
The first settler in this township was Alexander Clark, who located on section 8, in the spring of 1837. He was joined the following autumn by Alexander L. Bouck, who located on section 5, his present homestead, and Andrew and his son, Renssalaer Mesnard, who located on section 17, the place now occupied by Henry Kelley; and soon after by Foster Kelley, Charles Kelley and Joseph Blain, who located on their present homesteads, on sections 4 and 5. Gaines at that time had little to recommend her to the eyes of civilization ; being nothing more or less than 36 square miles of wilderness. Yet to the hardy, enterprising pioneers her heavy forests ot beech and maple, and in some localities pine and oak, abundant supply of fresh water, with an average supply of bear, wolves, deer, wild turkeys, etc., possessed a charm that was irresistable. And the ice once broken the develop- ment of her resources was only a question of time.
At this time the only thoroughfare within the limits of the territory of Gaines was a road known as the " Old Gull Road," running a zig-zag course from north to south. And the first settlers scemed for evident reasons to strike for the vicinity of this road. And we now find some of the richest farms in the county near its line. It was afterward straightened as the township became settled, to corres- pond with the section lines, and became a stage route from Grand Rapids to Kala- mazoo, until the completion of the plank road in 1854.
Among the first settlers who still reside in the township, and identified with its organization, growth and prosperity, are Daniel Woodward, Stephen A. Ham- mond, John E. Woods, Charles B. Keefer, Benjamin Colburn, R. C. Sessions, Jas. Reynolds, William Kelley, John Wolcott, R. R. Jones, William Hendrick, Aaron Brewer, Thomas and Wilmot H. Blain, William Budlong, James M. Pelton, Orson Cook, Peter Van Lew. Eseck Burlingame, James T. Crumback and Bryan Green- man.
Gaines, aside from her agricultural prospects, offered but little inducement to business men. Plaster and Buck Creeks both rise near the center of the town- ship, but were too small during most of the year for mill sites. There was, how- ever, a small water mill erected on the latter stream about the year 1852, by Eseck Burlingame, on section 18, which is still running, and which cut the lumber for some of the first frame buildings in the township.
56
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Most of the settlers of Gaines, as is usual, were poor, having barely means enough to enable them to purchase their land of the government at $1.25 an acre, get their families and household goods transported through the wilderness, and gain a foothold on their farms. But with persistent energy they set to work, and the heavy forests began to disappear. It was soon found to be one of the richest tracts in the vicinity for agricultural purposes, and at the present date is one of the best in the county. The north half of the township is gently rolling, is . well watered with springs and small streams. The soil is good and of almost every variety. Apple and peach orchards abound. Pears, grapes, quinces and cherries are cultivated to some extent and with good success.
The southern portion comprises a range of beautiful hills and table lands, ad- mirably adapted to fruit and vine culture, and although not developed to any great extent, has some of the best orchards in the county. The soil is gravelly, with a mixture of clay and loam, and is well adapted to all kinds of grain.
ORGANIZATION.
The first attempt at organization was as a part of Paris, in 1839. Foster Kelley, Joseph Blain, Alexander Clark and Andrew and Renssalaer Mesnard were among the township ofhcers of said organization. In the year 1848, it was organized under the name of Gaines, and the first township meeting was held at the old red school house, on the northeast corner of section 8. Among the laws passed at the first meeting was the following :
"On motion of Orson Cook, it was voted that a tax of two dollars and fifty cents be raised for every wolf killed in the township."
Wolves were rather troublesome neighbors in those days, and the author of the motion probably owed them a grudge for their former depredations. Wolves made frequent visits to the early settlers, and would make the very earth tremble with their howlings and complaints to the intruders of their time-honored homes, and usually levied a tax before morning. And, like the wolves of the present day, were only satisfied with the best quality of mutton. One occupation of the boys and larger girls of that day used to be to fire the old stumps about the place in the evening to seare away the wolves. About the year 1846, there was a wolf who had her beat from this vicinity to Gull Prairie, in Barry county, and was known as the "Gull Prairie wolf," who usually made the round trip once a week. (Better time than the early stages.) The dogs would not molest her, and she seemed to fear neither man nor beast. She had been caught once in a steel trap, and all efforts to entrap her again were for a long time unsuccessful. Even the children, in time, learned to distinguish her voice from other wolves, and were in the habit of listening for her on certain nights. She seldom disappointed them, and made night hideous with her dismal howls. She finally killed four sheep in one night on the premises of Mr. Mesnard, belonging to Mr. Rice. Mr. R. R. Jones, who lived near, requested the owner to leave one of the carcasses which madame wolf had partially devoured, and he did so. Mr. Jones and Orson Cook then held a council of war. It was determined to make one more effort to entrap her. Accordingly two traps were set about the carcass. But on her next visit she contrived to remove the carcass several rods, taking care to avoid the traps. Another council resulted in some more traps. Four were set-placing in the in-
57
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
termediate spaces small pieces of iron, which were left in sight, while the traps were carefully concealed. This time they outwitted her. For after visiting two barns in the neighborhood, and trying to obtain a fresh quarter of mutton, she went and put her identical game foot into one of the traps. Early on the follow ing morning, Messrs. Jones and Cook took the trail in pursuit. They obtained a glimpse of their victim near the present residence of Mr. Blake, on section 15, and, after following her to the vicinity of Duncan Lake, in Barry County, suc- ceeded in getting her headed toward home. They followed and overtook her on section 25, in Gaines. She "caved in," completely vanquished, and submitted to being bound with bark and slung to a pole; our two hunters resolving to carry her back alive the the scene of her recent murders. A thing, by the way, much easier resolved than executed. For they were soon satisfied to leave all but the pelt, for which they received one dollar, and ten and a half dollars in the shape of County and State bounties. They soon after caught a neighbor's boy by the heel, in one of the same traps. A large, good natured specimen of the " Genus Yankee," about twenty years of age, who, anxious to become versed in all the mysteries of woodcraft, was peering about to see how a wolf trap was set. He found out-as well as how one was sprung. His cries soon brought his father to his assistance, and gave the wolf hunters no further trouble.
But the wolves, and their allies the bears and wild-cats, have disappeared. The growth of the township has not been rapid. It could not be expected when we consider the difficulties to be overcome. At the first township meeting only 35 votes were polled. Yet in 1868, at the Presidential election, she polled 252 votes, and her present population (1870) is 1,205. Thrifty farms greet you at every turn; comfortable frame cottages take the place of the log hut of the pioneer ; roads on section lines traverse all parts of the township ; and, from 36 square miles of wilderness, she has grown in thirty-three years to be an enterprising, thrifty, agricultural town.
The first school was taught in a log house erected by Mr. Clark, on the north- east corner of section 8, about the year 1842. This, in time, gave way to a small frame building, painted red, and known throughout the country as the " red school house," which was succeeded, in 1863, by the present elegant structure on the same site, which takes the name and color of its predecessor. There are, in all, eight school houses in the township-all comfortable frame buildings.
The society of United Brethren built a church on section 28 in 1867, which, although plain and modest, is neat and tasty, an honor to the association and an ornament to the community. It is situated on one of the most elevated points in the township, and can be seen for miles around.
Gaines has been without railroad communication until the present year, (1870) when the Grand River Valley Railroad was constructed through her territory. Hammond Station was established on the farm of S. A. Hammond, on section 11, and a large freight and passenger depot, with telegraph office, erected. Wood- ward & Buckingham have erected a large grain elevator. W. W. Pierce and Philetus Marsh, Esq., have each a small grocery running, and the place already assumes a business aspect. 8
58
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
ELECTED APRIL 3D, 1848.
Supervisor -- Peter Van Lew. Clerk-James M. Pelton. Treasurer-Charles Kelley. Justices of the Peace-Joseph Blain, Josialı Drake and Robert R. Jones. Assessors-Foster Kelley and Abraham T. Andrews. Commissioners of Highways- Daniel Rice, Levi M. Dewey and William Kelley. School Inspectors-Renssalaer Mesnard, A. T. Andrews. Poor Directors-Orson Cook, Levi Cheney. Consta- bles-Lorenzo W. Sandford, John E. Guild, Foster Kelley, Daniel Williams.
PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Supervisor-James M. Pelton. Clerk-George Cook. Treasurer-Morris Free- man. Commissioners of Highways-Chester C. Mitchell, John M. Hanna, William B. Pickett. School Inspectors-Abraham C. Clemens, Aaron C. Bowman. Over- seers of the Poor-James M. Pelton, Morris Freeman. Constables-Samuel Zel- ner, John M. Hanna and Thomas M. Read.
GRAND RAPIDS.
The township of Kent was organized April 4th, 1834. There does not appear to have been any certain limits to the organization, but it is supposed to have embraced all the settlements within the present County of Kent. The records from that time to the present are now in the possession of the township clerk. The division, now called the township of Grand Rapids, received its name in April, 1842.
The first township meeting was held at the house of Joel Guild, April 4, 1834. This house stood on the present site of the City National Bank, and was the only frame building in the county except that occupied as a Catholic church. The officers elected were: Supervisor-Rix Robinson; Clerk-Eliphalet Turner ; Assessors-Joel Guild and Barney Burton ; Collector-Ira Jones. This is the same election that was referred to in the history of Ada, to be found in another place.
At the time of the organization, and for several years thereafter, the taxes were collected by the collector, and paid over to the supervisor, and disbursed by him. In 1839 a treasurer was elected. The first entry on his book reads as follows : " May, 14, 1839, received of E. W. Davis, supervisor, eight dollars, on the Grand River Bank. Three dollars on the Ypsilanti Bank, one dollar and twenty-five cents on the Bank of Pontiac, and sixty-two cents in specie." Amount of taxes collected the year previous, $174.00. This includes all the taxes collected in what is now Grand Rapids town and city, Ada and Paris. The rapid growthi and prosperity of the township will be seen when it is stated that the taxes col- lected for the year 1869 in Grand Rapids township amounted to $7,763.00.
The first settler within the present limits of the township was Ezekiel Davis, who located on section thirty-four in 1834. He also erected the first house. During the same summer Lewis Reed, Ezra Reed, Porter Reed, David S. Leavitt, Robert M. Barr, settled in the township. James MeCrath, George Young, and Simeon Stewart settled in the year 1836. Robert Thompson, John W. Fisk, and
59
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Mathew Taylor settled in the year 1837. Mr. Fisk erected the first hotel, now known as the Lake House.
THE PRESENT OFFICERS
of the township are : Supervisor-Foster Tucker ; Clerk -- Charles J. Manktelow ; Treasurer-Henry B. Davis.
THE SOIL
is of good quality, excepting that in the northeastern part of the township. The land is usually rolling, yet in places is quite hilly. The town is generally adapted to the production of wheat and other grain, and is equally well adapted to fruit culture. There are several small marshes in the town, but the largest and most productive is on section eight, and contains about one hundred and fifty acres. The principal part of it belongs to the estate of Obed H. Foote. Saddle Bag Swamp contains about three hundred acres, and is situated on sections twenty- three, twenty-four, twenty-five and twenty-six. There are a few more swamps, but all of them are small.
There are twelve
LAKES
in the township. The largest is Reed's. This lake is well known to the citizens of Grand Rapids, being a recognized summer resort for pleasure seekers. Grounds have recently been fitted up and tastily laid out with walks by the Grand Rapids Boat Club, which will add greater attraction to the place. On the north side of the lake is the " Lake House," whose present proprietor is Delos Drew, Esq. Boats and fishing tackle are kept by H. B. Miller and Jolin Paul on the south side, for the use of visitors.
The
MINERAL SPRING
excitement which has run so high throughout the State during the past summer, has not passed us by. One of these "Fountains of Youth " has been discovered on the banks of the lake just mentioned, which is supposed to be of considerable medicinal valuc. The water has been analyzed by Prof. Kedzie, of Lansing, who makes the following report :
SOLID RESIDUE IN A GALLON, 28.326.
CONSISTING OF
Carbonate of linie. 11.59
Carbonate of magnesia. 10.80
Carbonate of iron. .50
Sulphate of lime
1.49
Common salt. 1.50
Chloride of Potassium
.95
Silica
1.10
Organic matter and loss
1.96
Free carbonic acid 17.1-6 inches.
The public
SCHOOLS
in this township are in a flourishing condition, every inhabitant being attached to a regularly organized school district.
60
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Lake school house, in district No. 3, situated on the southeast corner of section twenty-nine, was erected in the year 1859. It is a brick structure, with a bell. The school room is supplied with many of the modern conveniences.
The school house in district No. 8, situated on the southwest corner of section five, was erected in the year 1863. It is a neat, substantial wooden building.
Knapp school house, in district No. 7, situated on section seventeen, is a wooden structure. It was erected in the year 1850.
The school house in district No. 5, situated on section thirty-six, near the resi- dence of James H. Martin, was erected in the year 1852. It is a wooden building.
The school house in district No. 2, situated on section twenty-five, near Perry Hills, is a substantial wooden structure with a bell. It was erected in the year 1869.
The school house in district No. 9, situated on the southwest corner of section eleven, was constructed of wood, in the year 1850. .
The school house in district No. 10, located on section ten, was erected in the year 1860. It was constructed of wood.
The Beckwith school house in district No. 11, situated on section sixteen, was erected in the year 1860. It is a very neat, wooden structure.
The school house in district No. 4, situated on Bridge street, on section number twenty-one, was ereeted in the year 1860. Material, wood.
There are two
HOTELS
in the township. The Powers Hotel, aud the Lake House. The former is situated near the city limits, and is kept by A. Powers. The latter is situated near Reed's and is kept by Delos Drew. Owing to its proximity to the city this township has no postoffice, mill, factory, machine shop, store or church.
GRATTAN.
Grattan, one of the eastern tier of towns, is bounded on the north by Oakfield, on the east by Otisco, Ionia county, on the south by Vergennes and on the west by Cannon. It was originally a part of Vergennes, and was erected into a separate town in 1846. It was largely settled in its southern portion. by emigrants direct from Erin, and in deference to them, the new town was named Grattan, in honor of the great Irish orator, at the instance, and by the influence of Hon. Volney W. Caukin, now a resident of Sparta.
Its first town meeting to perfect its organization, was held on the first Monday of April, 1846, at the house of Converse Close ; and the number of votes policd was twenty-three, resulting in the election of the following named gentlemen as its
FIRST OFFICERS.
Supervisor-Milton C. Watkins. Clerk-Volney W. Caukin. Treasurer-Eras- tus W. Beasom. Highway Commissioners-Thomas J. Morgan, Joshua Fish, Wm. C. Stanton. Justices of the Peace-Samuel H. Steele, John P. Weeks, William Byrne, Luther B. Cook. School Inspectors-Samuel HI. Steele, Wm. Beaurmann. Constables-Jedediah HI. Wood, Thomas J. Morgan. Overseers of Poor-Luther B Cook, Samuel H. Steele. Assessors-Anthony King, Barlow Barto.
61
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
OFFICERS IN 1870.
Supervisor -- Oliver J. Watkins. Treasurer-Joseph Tower. Clerk-George D. Wood. Justices of the Peace-Joseph Tower, Oliver I. Watkins, Wm. Daniels. School Inspectors-Asa W. Slayton, George C. Adams. Constable-Thomas M. Henry. Commissioners of Highways-Wm. C. Slayton, Thomas M. Henry.
The number of votes polled at the last town meeting was 240.
By the census returns, the town has now a population of 1,298.
Although the surface is quite broken in consequence of its extraordinary net- work of lakes, there are no ranges of hills, nor prominent highlands in the town, and its soil is remarkably uniform, adapting it to the mixed husbandry of the coun- try, and especially rendering it the best wheat growing portion of the county. Its wool interests are more than an average, and its productions of hay, corn, oats, potatoes, and neat stock are very fair. Apples, pears, peaches, cherries, currants and grapes, are a universal success, and much attention is being paid by some to the cultivation and improvement of choice varieties of fruits. Prominent among these stands Asa W. Slayton, and it well repays a lover of rural beauty, and horti cultural enterprise, and success, to visit his pleasant and tasteful home, situated on section 22, south of the Grand Rapids and Ionia State road.
Formerly, considerable attention was paid to the raising of hops, and some years the returns for this crop reached as high as $10,000, but the reduction of prices has ruined the hop interest here, as in many other places.
Mainly, the town is heavily wooded with oak and hickory, but sections 25 and 36, and a portion of sections 5 and 35, are rich timber lands.
There are no less than twenty-four lakes in this town, covering an area of from 36 to 300 acres each, besides a host of smaller lakes or ponds; but six de- mand especial notice. Nagles, or Murray's Lake, lies on sections 33 and 34 in Grattan, and extending more than half across section 4 in Vergennes, is the largest of these, and is remarkable for its peculiar shape, being nearly divided in two by a long, narrow, promontory of land owned by Mr. W. Fullington.
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