USA > Michigan > Kent County > History and directory of Kent County, Michigan > Part 9
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
FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Supervisor-Thomas Spencer. Town Clerk-Harry McArthur. Treasurer- Ilarry Osgood. Justices of the Peace-Thomas Spencer, Harvey D. Pond, David J. Gilbert, Wm. M. Gould. Constables-Nathan II. Gould, Giles McArthur, Wil- liam Chapman, Jesse Stewart. Commissioners of Highways-Benjamin Morey, William Peterson, Cyrus B. Thomas. School Inspectors-John Davis, Lafayette Knight. Overseers of the Poor-Sheldon Ashley, Harry Osgood.
PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Supervisor-Wm. R. Davis. Clerk-Azariah V. Rowley. Treasurer -- John Ashley. Justices of the Peace-Henry Watson, Oliver R. Lewis, John Ashley, George Cathey. Commissioners of Highways-IIenry E. Rowley, Chester A. Lillie, Rufin Caukin. School Inspectors-Wm. H. H. Davis, Henry E. Rowley. Con- stables-John W. Gilbert, Henry E. Rowley, Edward Jones.
The town has now a population of 1,092. Of the old settlers, and men who took an active part in the organization of the town, Isaac Tower and Morris Ilart, are dead ; also Thomas Spencer, the first Supervisor of the town, who
77
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
was torn in pieces by the machinery in a mill, in Montealm county, in the spring of 1867.
The first marriage in the town was solemnized by Rev. James Ballard, August 2nd, 1840. Bride-Miss Hannah Tower, daughter of Isaac Tower ; bridegroom -- Zenas G. Winsor, now of Grand Rapids.
The first birth among the whites, was Wm. H. H. son of Wn. R. and Electa M. Davis. Born April 24, 1840.
Among other first things occurring in the town, was the first bear killed, by John, and his brother, Wm. R. Davis, present member ofthe State Legislature, from the Fourth Representative District, and present nominee for the same position. Returning late one afternoon, in the summer of 1842, from mowing on a marsh on Crinnion Creek, in the north part of the town, William riding a horse, and carrying some game he had caught through the day, John on foot, equipped with a fine rifle, and elosely followed by a faithful dog, were surprised and delighted when within two miles of home, by the discovery of a huge black bear. The dog gave instant pursuit, closely followed by the brothers. Frightened by the baying of the dog, the bear was soon treed. The brothers were quickly upon the spot, William, anticipating bruin a speedy victim to his brothers unerring aim ; but what was their chagrin, on examining the rifle, to find that in the hurry of the pursuit, their last cap had been lost from the gun. Here was a dilemma ; but necessity is said to be the mother of invention, and she did not belie her eliarae- ter in this case. The only expedient was to send William one and one half miles away, to Mr. Crinnion's, the nearest house, for caps, if they could be found, otherwise for fire, while John and the dog kept watch by the bear. Mounting old Dutch, his horse, and furiously flourishing his whip, William was soon lost to sight, returning in a very short time, not with gun and caps, however, but a burn- ing brand from Mrs. Crinnion's fire-place. He found bruin a few rods from where he left him, in another tree, and John and the dog still watching. It was already dusk ; what was to be done, must be done speedily. Powder was poured into the tube, and John, a splendid marksman, took aim, while William stood by with a live eoal, ready to apply at the word fire, which soon eame, William asserts, in a trembling voice, but whether John's voice trembled, or William's ears, has not been decided to this day ; however, that the sharp erack of the rifle rang through the forest depths, and that the bear lay dead at the foot of the tree, are verities not to be disputed.
David J. Gilbert built the second frame barn and dwelling in the town ; Isaac Power having built a frame barn in 1840, and William Thornton a frame house in 1841. In future time, posterity may open its eyes withi wonder, asking " of what, then, were other dwellings made ?" and it is therefore well to record that, in the early days, the woodman's ax was his only saw mill, and the forest, with its treetops waving many feet aloft in the breezes, his only lumber-yard ; conse- quently his house was made of rough logs rolled one above another, his floor of logs, his roof of pieces of the same, called " shakes;" his fire place was composed of sticks and clay ; lis fire of huge logs stood on end and walked across the floor, a side at a time, and rolled to their place with a hand-spike. The doors were rude oaken planks split from the heart of some huge forest giant, and as for win-
78
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
dows-some houses had very small holes in their sides which passed by that name, and some had none.
The only means of transportation, either for business or pleasure, was the lum- ber wagon, or sled, drawn by the patient ox, whose rate of speed might be three miles an hour in good going ; and many a party of pleasure, clad in homespun and homemade garments, and seated on the straw in the bottom of the wagon or sled, as the case might be, has been borne thus slowly over the devious roads leading from one cabin to another, and have found ample time to enjoy themselves by the way, sure of a hearty welcome at the end of their ride, who now live in stately dwellings, dress in costly raiment and ride in fine carriages, after dashing steeds timed to many a mile the hour. But not a whit the lighter are their hearts now, than then ; fortunate indeed are they, if, in the trials and perplexities of life they have not grown sad. Then, men broke ground, and civilization came after. Now, the log cabin is an institution of the past, and the hardships of frontier life, a tale that is told. Now the iron rail pushes its way into distant gorges, and unbroken forests, and on the coming railway train man follows, bringing with him all the comforts and appliances of civilized life.
In these days of easy and speedy transportation and mechanical improvements, teeming fields are won from the wilderness in a few months ; palatial residences rise, and cities spring up as if by magic, almost surpassing the fabled oriental stories of the olden time.
The people of this town are noted for industry. sobriety and hospitality. There is but one place in the town where strong drinks are sold.
Oakfield responded nobly to the call for volunteers, in the late rebellion, send- ing her bravest and her best to the front, and many of her noble boys lie buried in known and unknown graves, in southern soil. Many suffered the untold hor- rors of southern prisons. Prominent among these was Chyler B. Davis, made prisoner at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, who endured all forms of hardships, in all the Southern prisons from Belle Isle to Andersonville, for 17 months, when he was paroled, a mere walking skeleton, and finally discharged at Fort Leaven- worth, Kansas, in June, 1865. IIe recovered, as by a miracle from his long suffer- ing, and starvation, and is now farming in this town.
PARIS.
The township of Paris is situated in the second tier of townships from the south line of the county, and is bounded on the north by Grand Rapids, on the east by Cascade, on the south by Gaines, and on the west by Wyoming. Being situated so near the City of Grand Rapids, which is amarket for all its produce-and being traversed by the Grand River Valley Railroad, it is, so far as convenience is con- cerned, an exception to the general location of townships.
Paris is next to the oldest township in the county. As long ago as the year 1833, Barney Burton, Edward Guild, Joel Guild, Daniel Guild, and James Van- derpool located within its present limits. Benjamin Clark and Abram Laraway, settled in the year 1835; Jacob Patterson, Miner Patterson, James Patterson, Orleans Spaulding and Philanzo Bowen, in the year 1836 ; Nicholas Carlton in the year
79
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
1837; Hiram H. Allen in the year 1838. Among the other early settlers were De Witt Shoemaker, Clinton Shoemaker, Robert Shoemaker, Alvin H. Wansey, Jared Wansey, James Ballard, Stephen Hinsdill, Abram Laraway and Robert Barr. We would here also make special mention of " Captain Davis," as he was familiarly called, who was the father of Ezekiel W. Davis, commonly known as " Judge." lle settled in the township in the year 1834, and remained a resident up to the time of his death, which occurred some twenty-five years ago.
The trials and hardships undured by the pioneers of those days seem to have been unusual. Nearly all of the settlers were poor, and consequently were un- able to relieve the unequal distress of the less fortunate among them. The lots of some were peculiarly distressing. Orleans Spaukling, who was before men- tioned as having settled in the year 1836, informs us that, in the month of June, 1837, he was afflicted with sore eyes, and that for six years he was thereby unfitted for labor. During three years of the time he was totally blind, and that, too, while his family was dependent upon the productions of their little farm for a living.
But there were trials of a general nature which had to be endured at this period, occasioned by the " hard times," or " wild cat times," as they were commonly called. Many of the new settlers had but a small part of their farms cleared, and and a still smaller part cultivated, and consequently were obliged to buy their provisions. Those who had been in the country longer, and had larger improve- ments, raised a few bushels of wheat more than was required for their own use, but they could sell it neither for money, nor for groceries. Usually it could be given in exchange for " shelf goods" as they were called, provided no more than fifty cents per bushel was charged.
While wheat was selling at only fifty cents per bushel, flour was selling at $15 per barrel, pork $36 per barrel. potatoes $2 per bushel, and butter fifty cents per pound.
We are informed by Mrs. Burton, that when she commenced keeping house in the township, on what is now the Garfield farm, she had no neighbors on the south nearer than Gull Prairie, none on the east nearer than Ionia, and none whatever on the west. Uncle Louis Campau, Joel Guild and Jonathan F. Chubb, were the only residents of Grand Rapids. Rix Robinson was in the township of Ada, trading among the Indians.
Mr. Burton built the first log house in the township of Paris, and erected the first barn the county. He also erected the first frame house in the township, upon the site of the present fine residence of S. M. Garfield.
The following incident illustrates the condition of the country at an early day: when Mr. Burton was on his way from Gull Prairie to Grand Rapids, one night he and his few companions halted as usual, spanceled their horses, and took their rest. In the morning, the horses belonging to Mr. Burton were nowhere to be seen, so he started out in search of them. He wandered about in the thick woods for several hours, without success, and finally turned about with the intention of returning to the camp. He traveled until the sun was low in the west, and no oamp could be found. Night came on, and he rested himself, a lost man in a dense forest. The experience of the succeeding day was similar to that of the first ; and it was not until the third day that he reached a settlement. By follow-
80
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
ing a creek which he found in his wanderings, he reached the Thornapple river, tracing which to its mouth brought him to what is now the Village of Ada. Thence he proceeded to Grand Rapids where he found the settlers quite excited over the fact of his disappearance, which had been reported by his companions ; Mr. Campau having already dispatched a number of Indians in the direction he supposed MIr. Burton would be, to search for him.
At one time in the winter of the years 1835 and 1836, the cries of what was sup- posed to be a man were heard in the vicinity of Mr. Burton's residence. He was answered, horns were blowed, and other noises made to attract his attention, with no result. About the same time a grey horse came to the residence of Abram Laraway, not many miles away, which none of the settlers claimed. Early in the spring a saddle was found by Robert Barr in the woods not far away. Still later the body of a man was found on what is now called the Penny property, in the Third Ward of the City. Its appearance indicated that death had taken place some months previously. A few dollars in money, a watch, and some papers were found on his person, the latter indicating the name of the man to have been Moore. Nothing further was ever ascertained in regard to the matter. He pro- bably lost his way in the pathless woods, wandered about for several days, perhaps lost his horse, and finally starved to death; or, overcome with weariness sank down to rest, and perished by the excessive cold.
In the year 1835 or 1836, a man by the name of Sizer was shot by an Indian, near Plaster Creek, on what are now the premises of Henry Allen. At that place on the creek was a deer lick, which, of course, was watched by the early settlers as well as by the natives. The parties concerned in the affair to which we refer were both looking for deer, the one not knowing of the presence of the other. As the white man was moving about in the bushes, the eye of the Indian caught a glimpse of his white shirt bosom, which he mistook to be a spot upon a deer about to run. A second more, and the white man fell dead, with a bullet through his heart. You can imagine the terror of the Indian when he discovered what he had done, as lie supposed his own life must pay the forfeit.
It seems to have been the custom of the Indians to demand a life for a life. We were informed by an old settler that, at one time, while a little Indian girl was taking care of an infant white child, near what is now the city, she accidentally let it fall from her arms upon the ground, and it was taken up dead. The Indians took the girl with the intention of executing her; but upon the carnest solicita- tion of Uncle Louis Campau, and Joel Guild, and the offer of an amount of money for her life, she was spared.
In this instance the Indian went immediately to the missionary named Slater, who lived on the west side of the river, told him all, and gave himself up. Mr. Slater advised him to go back, arouse the whites and tell them what had he done ; and assured him that he would not be punished. He did as he was ad- vised, and the affair there ended.
When Benjamin Clark came into the township, in 1833. he selected a piece of land on section twelve, located upon it, and has ever since made it his home. When he settled, no one was living in that part of the township, except Alexander Clark. He says he came all the way from Morau's residence near Reed's Lake, to Abram Laraway's, without seeing a house.
81
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
James Patterson came into the township in 1836, via a road on the east side of Thornapple River, which he followed to Ada. There he found John W. Fisk keeping tavern in the wilderness. His cattle swam the river, while himself and family and team were ferried across ou a scow owned by Mr. Fisk. From there he took a southiwesterly course through swamps, streams, and woods, without the least sign of a road, a distance of six miles to his new home. On his route thither he saw only one settler, and he had but just located.
When Hiram H. Allen settled in the township in the year 1838, there was but one regular thoroughfare through it, and that was the old Gull Prairie, or Kala- mazoo road. N. O. Sargeant had just previously established a line of stages between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Mr. Allen says he took a trip through Cascade in 1838, and found but very few settlers. From the Patterson settle- ment on sections 12 and 13 to Cascade village, there were no passable roads for teams.
During the first few years of early settlement there was no regular camp of Indians in the township. Occasionally they would pitch their tents for a few days on their hunting and fishing excursions, but the first regular colony was formed about the year 1840, on or near section 33. They lived there for several years, but when the county became more thoroughly settled, they sold their lands and left.
ORGANIZATION.
The township of Paris-which then included Gaines-was organized in the year 1839, and the first town meeting was held at the house of Hiram H. Allen, which resulted in the election of the following officers :
Supervisor-Joel Guild. Clerk-Hiram H. Allen. Treasurer-Robert Barr. Assessors-Stephen Hinsdill, Foster Kelley, Joseph HI. Blain. Justices of the Peace -- H. H. Allen, Hezekiah B. Smith, Barney Burton, Alexander Clark. Com- missioners of Highways -- Joseph Blain, Jacob Patterson, John Kirkland. School Inspectors-James Ballard, Renssalaer Mesnard, Joseph K. Palmer. Directors of the Poor-Andrew Mesnard, Daniel Guild. Collector-Jacob Patterson. Con- stables-Jacob Patterson, Joseph J. Baxter, Palmer Allen.
SOIL, TIMBER, ETC.
The soil of Paris as a township, is quite good. To be sure it has its poor land as well as other townships; but considered as a whole, it is considerably above the average. The soil in the southeasterly and central parts is heavy clay, while in the northerly and westerly parts it is sandy.
The timber in the southeasterly and central parts is quite heavy ; that in the northerly and westerly parts light, and what might be called oak openings. In the southwesterly part of the town is some pine, in places mixed with elm, black aslı, etc.
There are many good farms in Paris, among which may be mentioned those belonging to T. S. Smith, on section 27; Stark Le Fever, on section 35; Seeley S. Buck, on section 34 ; Isaac D. Davis, on section 29 ; Philanzo Bowen, on section 28 ; Abram G. Shear, on section 21; Oscar S. Shafer, on section 23; James Patterson, on section 12 ; Miner Patterson, on section 13; S. S. Bailey, on section 13 ; Myron
11
82
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Richards, on section 10; John HI. Ford, on section 2; S. M. Garfield, on section 7 ; John D. Alger, on section 7; Joel Simonds, on section 7.
Some of the best residences in the township are those owned by T. S. Smithi, Myron Richards, S. M. Garfield, Jolm D. Alger, and Riley Cole. The orchard on the premises of John H. Ford, is the most thrifty and extensive of the many we saw in the township.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
The first school-house erected in the township stood on the corner of the north- east quarter of section 7. It was used for many years, but was finally removed. and the present building erected in 1857. There are several fine school-houses in the township. The Godwin school-house standing on the old plank road, a short distance beyond the Godwin tavern, is a good brick building, and an orna- ment to the locality. The school-house on the southwest corner of section 10, built of brick, presents a fine appearance, and exhibits the enterprising character of the inhabitants in its vicinity ; also, the frame school-house situated near the northeast corner of section 34. We mention these as being particularly good, while, in fact, all of the school buildings in the township are above the average character.
COUNTY POOR HOUSE.
The county farm and poor house are located in Paris, on section 16. The farm contains 104 acres or thereabouts, and has the appearance of being well worked.
At the time the farm was purchased by the county, a log house was standing on it, which was used for a number of years as a poor house. It was removed in 1860, and the present frame building erected in its stead. Several additions have been made to it, until now it is a large structure. The present keeper is John Otis.
MILLS.
The Bostwick Grist and Saw Mills were erected many years ago, on Plaster Creek, on the east line of section 17. Four dams were constructed at different times, but in each instance they were carried away. The mills were run at in- tervals, but never for any great length of time, and were finally abandoned.
The Tanner Mills, situated on the southeast corner of section 20, were operated for a number of years ; but are now among the things of the past.
THE PRESENT OFFICERS
of Paris, are : Supervisor-Samuel M. Garfield. Clerk -John Steketee. Treasurer -Everett Hurd. School Inspectors-John H. Ford, Gilbert G. Bailey. Justices of the Peace-Hiram H. Allen, Abram C. Barclay, Seeley S. Buck, John H. Ford. Commissioners of Highways-G. G. Bailey, Mason L. Shater, Bester Brown. Con- stables-Abram T. Cook, Thomas H. Foster.
-
PLAINFIELD.
Plainfield lies north of Grand Rapids, east of Alpine, south of Algoma, and . west of Cannon, and has a population of 1,499.
It was settled in 1837; and in 1838, when it was organized, comprised within its limits, several townships of land, that eventually organized into separate towns, under their respective names of Algoma, Courtland, Cannon, etc.
83
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
It was named for the many plains within its borders, that, swept clean by the annual Indian fires, presented their wild, but beautiful acres to the admiring gaze of the settlers. Its first township meeting to complete its organization, was held on the first Monday of April, 1838, at a rude log school house on section 23. There is no record of the number of votes cast ; but at its last town meeting, the number of votes polled was 220.
FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Supervisor-Zenas G. Winsor. Clerk-Ethiel Whitney. Assessors-Daniel North, Andrew Watson, George Miller. Highway Commissioners-A. D. W. Stout, Warner Dexter. School Inspectors-Zenas G. Winsor, Ethiel Whitney, Cornelius Friant. Collectors-Damas Francisco, Henry Godwin. Poor Masters -Jacob Francisco, Jacob Friant. Justices of the Peace-Daniel North, Samuel Baker, Zenas G. Winsor, George Miller. Constables-James Francisco, Henry Godwin, Ezra Whitney.
OFFICERS IN 1870.
Supervisor-Hollis Konkle. Treasurer-James Crawford. Clerk-Edwin A. Morris. Justice of the Peace-George S. Curtis. School Inspectors-George H. Outhouse. Highway Commissioners-Joseph C. Upson. Constables-Caleb E. Carr, Gilbert Dickerson.
Plainfield presents many variations in soil and surface. High bluffs along Grand River, and the Rouge, present the beholder with many magnificent out- looks, over lowland, water course, hillside and plain, rarely excelled; and no more beautiful spot can well be found, than the little prairie set in hills, lying on the Grand Rapids and Ionia State Road, just north and east of the little village of Plainfield, where, for many years was the home of the Hon. Harry C. Smith, now a resident of Grand Rapids.
There is a troublesome amount of stone in some portions, and some sand along the western line; but, as a general thing, the soil is a rich clay loam, rendering this a first class agricultural town.
Its timber is mainly oak, with some beech and maple, and considerable pine along its western borders.
Its principal productions are, wheat, wool, corn, oats and potatoes, all of which it exports in fair quantities ; but most of wheat, wool, and corn. Its rich intervals of grass lands, its numerous spring brooks, and clear and rapid watercourses, peculiarly adapt it to dairy purposes ; but no especial attention is paid, as yet, to this healthful and lucrative branch of husbandry.
It also lies within the great western fruit belt, and where the altitude is favor- able, gives splendid returns of apples, peaches, cherries, currants, and the small fruits generally ; but in the bottom lands, and low situations, the returns are by no means sure, the frosts destroying the peaches, and the winters killing the trees. It presents many fine locations for vinyards, and the hardier varieties of grapes ripen nicely here ; but nothing worthy of note is being done in this branch of horticulture.
'There are several inconsiderable lakes in the town, but only two are worthy of note, namely : Scott's Lake, lying on section 17, about three-fourths of a mile
84
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
long, and half a mile wide, quite deep, and well stocked with fish; and Crooked, or Dean's Lake, on sections 33 and 34, one mile long and half a mile wide. It has an Island of one acre, is generally shallow, and quite destitute of fish. These lakes are adjacent to no highway, henee are only visited by fishing parties, or hogs seeking aquatic sports. But for what it laeks in lake views, it makes ample amends in river seenery.
THE RIVERS.
Grand River, the Owash-te-nong of the redman, enters its borders by its eastern boundary, at the northeast corner of section 36, reaches the highest northern point at the exact center of section 23, where the bridge on the Grand Rapids and Ionia State Road, crosses its stream; then it sweeps away to the southwest --. its banks adorned on either hand with billowy maples, and grand old elms, that have shed their leaves for centuries on its waves, leaving the town by its southern line, on the southeast quarter of section 31.
The Rouge River, so called from the peculiar tint of its waters, enters the town from the north, on the west half of section 1, and runs southwesterly, debouching in Grand River, on the line of sections 22 and 23.
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.