History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 125

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 772

USA > Michigan > Eaton County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 125
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 125

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).

Abram Smith, now of Grand Ledge, came to Michigan from Orleans Co., N. Y., io 1840, and located in the town- ship of Quincy, Branch Co. In the winter of 1848-49, the State Legislature granted to him and his brother-in-law, John W. Russell, who lived west of the village site, the privilege of building a dam across Grand River at this place. Said dam was commenced by Mr. Russell in Au- gust, 1849, in company with David Taylor, before men- tioned, and in September following Mr. Smith joined them. The dam was completed, and before winter a saw- mill was built and in operation. It stood immediately be- low the dam, on the south side of the river, and is still in use, although remodeled and enlarged. The original mill. site, including two acres, was purchased of Henry Trench.

Mr. Smith remained in company with the others but about a year, when he sold his interest to Mr. Russell and settled upon the farm he now occupies in the western part of the corporation. When these men began making im- provements here Mr. Lamson and Mr. Trench were the only settlers, the locality being a densely-wooded wilder- ness.

In the fall of 1849, Reuben Wood, from Farmington, Oakland Co., Mich., visited the place and purchased six and one-half acres of land on the north side of the river, including the present grist-mill site, in the interest of the firm of Wood & Allen (Nathan Allen was Mr. Wood's partner in business). In the spring of 1850 they eaused a building to be erected for their use by the saw-mill com- pany (Smith, Russell & Taylor), and in June of the same year they opened a general stock of goods in it, theirs being the first store established in the place. This firm, together with David Taylor, built the grist-mill now stand- ing, and placed in it two runs of stone. The original mill was two stories high, but has since been enlarged and im- proved. In the spring of 1854, Mr. Taylor disposed of his interest in it to the firm of Kent, Hixson & Co., of Portland, Ionia Co. Mr. Allen also sold to them in 1855, and Mr. Wood sold his share about 1858, since which time the firm of Kent, Hixson & Co. have been sole proprietors, and also owo the saw-mill.

The year after Wood & Allen located here they purchased 120 acres of land on the north side of the river, and it was long hoped that upon that side the principal business would be located, although the south side had been first chosen. The store of Messrs. Wood & Allen stood on what is now River Street, immediately above and adjoining the saw-mill yard, and was occupied by them for both store and dwelling.

Daniel Chadwick, who had settled in the township of Delta as early as 1837, removed about 1850 to the village, and at one time owned an interest in the saw-mill. He is now deceased. His son, Samuel Chadwick, is a prominent resident of the place. The family was originally from the State of New York.

The second store in the village was opened by William Russell, who also kept the first hotel: The Messrs. Daniels soon after established the third store in the place. Mr.

Russell was a brother to John W. Russell, and built his hotel opposite the store of Wood & Allen. The ulain part of the building was afterwards moved to the west side of Main Street, and was destroyed in a heavy fire, which oc- curred Dec. 2, 1876. At that time it was occupied by the post-office. This fire burned south from River Street nearly to Jefferson Avenue, destroying a number of build- ings, among which was the fine " Goodrich Block." One man lost his life during the fire. The other hotels of the village are the " Grand Ledge House," built about 1863, by Edmund Russell, and now conducted by William Tiuk- ham; the " Mineral House" (formerly known as the Den- ison), at the north end of the bridge, built about 1873, by Reynolds & Starr, now owned by Benjamin Silsby and Mrs. Reynolds, and conducted by J. Harris ; the " Oneida Ilouse," adjoining the Grand Ledge House, and the " Ex- change Hotel," near the depot.

A blacksmith-shop was built and carried on at an early date by a man named Sheldon, and another, which is still standing, on River Street, east of Main, was built in 1854 by a Mr. Brown, who still owns it.

A wooden bridge was built across the river in the fall of 1853, previous to which time boats were used in crossing the stream. The present bridge, of iron and wood, is the third one which has been erected, and was built in 1870 by a Cleveland bridge company, at a cost of $9800, and with the accrued interest the entire cost has been nearly $20,000. The dam across the river is 230 feet in length.

Some years after the village was first settled, a foundry was erected by Aaron Reed & Co., which has since several times witnessed a change of ownership, and is now the property of Moses Beach. Mr. Reed is still a resident of the place. Other manufacturing establishments are: a steam saw-mill, built about 1872-73, by Edmund Lamson, and now owned by Edmund Russell ; two or three planing- mills, one of which was built in the fall of 1879, and has facilities for doing a large business ; and a furniture- factory.

The trains on the Detroit, Lansing and Northern Rail- way commenced running to Grand Ledge about September, 1869, thus affording the citizens an outlet by rail and ex- cellent shipping facilities.

GRAND LEDGE POST-OFFICE.

For a year or more after the place was settled the in- habitants received their mail at Lansing. About 1850 the Grand Ledge post-office was established, and Henry Trench was appointed the first postmaster. This was before a mail - route had been established through the village, and mail was brought from Lansing as the most convenient means would allow. The villagers "took turns" in carrying it, upon their backs, between the two places, and the post- master at Lansing would deliver the Grand Ledge mail to any person who brought along the mail-bag, considering that Mr. Trench was the responsible party, and knew whom he was trusting. It was then a forest nearly the entire dis- tance between Lansing and Grand Ledge. Mr. Trench's successors have been Samuel Chadwick (appointed in 1853), George Lay, O. L. Shuitt, B. T. Esler, George Gates, James A. Wickham, and the present incumbent, J. S.

500

HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Holmes. The office was burned in the heavy fire in De- cember, 1876.

MINERAL WELLS .- SUMMER RESORT.

During the excitement consequent upon the discovery of petroleum in Pennsylvania, when it was supposed probable that the wealth-producing artiele could be found anywhere if bored for, the wave rolled over the people of Grand Ledge, and a company was formed to sink a well at this place. The work was performed, but nothing but water of a curious taste rewarded their efforts, although it flowed in as great quantities as they could wish the oil to have done. Finally, it was discovered that the water possessed medi- einal properties, and a large bathing-house was built and Dr. A. R. Ball, now of Corunna, Shiawassee Co., a homo- opathie physician, had charge of it. This well, which is still flowing, is located near the eastern limits of the corpo- ration, on the south side of the river. Three other wells have sinee been sunk, nearer the business portion of the village. One of these, on an island a short distance below the bridge, is 156 feet deep, and another, at the Mineral House, on the north side of the river, has a depth of 196 feet. Within a few recent years the idea of fitting up a summer resort at Grand Ledge obtained in the mind of John Burtch, who is now in the lumber business at the place. He built a small, one-story plank house on the seeond island below the bridge, and also placed a small steamer on the river for the use of pleasure-seeking par- ties. In 1877 he sold out to the present proprietor, S. M. Hewings, who has made extensive improvements and built up an excellent reputation for the resort, which he has named " The Seven Islands." The first one of these islands is but a few rods in extent, and upon a portion of it an inclosure has been made for use as an animal park. The next one is that on which the principal buildings are erected, and the five others lie below within a distance of about a mile; the largest of them is over half a mile in length. A temporary dam of stones and logs has been constructed some distance down the stream, to make slack water for navigation by the steamer. The top layer is taken from the dam in the fall that the ice may not sweep it away, and the foot-bridges to the upper islands are also taken up for the winter. In 1878, Mr. Ilewings caused the present roomy building to be ereeted, in place of the smaller one built by Mr. Burteh. It is one hundred and forty-four feet in length, including the veranda, and twenty-five feet in width. The taste of the water from the island well in- dicates that it is principally charged with iron and sulphur; an analysis has not yet been made. The picnie and party season at the " Seven Islands" lasted six months in 1879, and Mr. Hewings thinks no other resort in the State, except Petoskey, enjoyed an equal custom.' The building on the island is two stories in height, with a large daneing-hall on the second floor.

INCORPORATION .- VILLAGE OFFICERS.

The village of Grand Ledge was incorporated by an aet of the Legislature approved April 8, 1871, including the following territory : the west half of the southwest quarter of section 1; the south half of section 2; that part of the

southeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 3 bounded by Sandstone Creek ; the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 10; the north three-fourths of section 11; the west half of the northwest quarter of see- tion 12; and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 12; all in town 4 north, of range 4 west.

The record of the village election for 1871 is missing, but it is known that Edmund Lamson was chosen president that year. That for 1872 is also missing. The officers of the village from 1873 to 1880 have been as following :

1873 .- President, E. S. Hammond ; Recorder, J. L. McPeek ; Mar- shal, II. Wareham ; Treasurer, O. Johnson ; Street Commis- sioner, George Loveless; Trustee, George Smith.

IS74 .- President, James Winnie ; Recorder, G. Ilomer Jones; Trus- tee, Tobias Foreman ; Treasurer, Truman Johnson; Marshal, Thomas Harris.

1875 .- President, J. W. Nichols; Recorder, W. C. Westland ; Trustees, Samuel Chadwick, S. Pearl (to fill vacancy ) ; Treasurer, T. Johnson ; Marshal, E. Taylor.

1876 .- President, Tobias Foreman ; Recorder, W. C. Westland; Trus- tee, Orange Johnson ; Treasurer, Truman Johnson ; Marshal, Ed. Taylor.

1877 .- President, James Winnie ; Recorder, G. Ilomer Jones; Treas- urer, T. Johnson ; Trustees, S. B. Granger, E. S. Hammond ; Marshal, E. Taylor.

1878 .- President, J. D. Somers ; Recorder, G. Homer Jones ; Trustee, George W. Irish; Treasurer, W. J. Babcock ; Marshal, Wm. Resseguie.

1879 .- President, Michael McMullen; Recorder, G. Homer Jones ; Trustee, Chester I[. Smith : Treasurer, William Rossman ; Marshal, William Ressegnie.

1880,-President, James Winnie; Recorder, G. Homer Jones; Treas- urer, William Resseguie; Trustee, George W. Campbell; Marsbal, William Taylor.

The village owns a hook-and-ladder wagon, with equip- ments, but has no organized fire department. It has suf- fered more or less from fires, the severest one being that of December, 1876, already mentioned.

The original town of Grand Ledge was laid out Oct. 28, 1853, on sections 1, 2, 11, and 12, by Reuben Wood, David Taylor, Henry A. Trench, Edmund Lamson, Nathan Allen, and William Russell. A second plat was made April 29, 1854, by William Henry, and the following additions have since been made : Edmund Lamson's addition, Oct. 28, 1867; Albert Ingersoll's addition, July 1, 1869; Compton & Johnson's addition (by Cynthia A. Johnson and Cyrus J. Compton), July 21, 1869 ; Rogers' addition (by Isaac P. Rogers, Harrison Halbert, and John Vander- bogert), Jan. 15, 1872; T. H. Harris' addition, May 21, 1872; S. W. Owen's addition, July 1, 1874; Harrison IIalbert's addition, May 24, 1875.

NEWSPAPERS.

The Grand Ledge Independent .- Oct. 18, 1869, a proposition to establish a newspaper in Grand Ledge was made to the citizens by B. F. Saunders, son of Joseph Saunders, proprietor of the Charlotte Republican, if it should meet with sufficient encouragement. A fair amount of advertising was guaranteed, and on the 17th of De- cember a sample number of the paper was issued with the above title. Its regular publication was begun Jan. 7, 1870. The original sheet was a seven-column folio, and has since been enlarged to an eight-column folio. W. C. Westland became sole proprietor May 1, 1874,

VIEW OF SIXTH.SEVENTH AND FIFTH ISLANDS LOOKING UP STREAM.

ROCKY WAY.

HEMLOCK POINT AND GULF STREAM.

KiIT

GERTIE.

ISLAND.

HOUSE

T- CAUGHEY.

GENERAL VIEW OF ISLANDS FROM RIVER BRIDGE

ISIAND HOUSE AND CHIMMED DECADT CAR HIFIALINAN __ A

501

ONEIDA.

and has since continued its publication. It had pre- viously been published by several different persons, each of whom soon disposed of it, and when Mr. Westland became proprietor its circulation was very small, and the prospect was not encouraging. The office was destroyed in the "great fire" of 1876, but was refitted, and the paper now has a circulation of about 750, while every facility is afforded for doing fine job-work, for which the office is noted. The paper is independent, though not neutral, in politics.

BANKS.

The village contains two private banks. The " Exchange Bank, Grand Ledge," is located near the railway station, and was established in July, 1873, by J. D. Hayes, of De- troit. The Loan and Deposit Bank of George N. Berry was established in August, 1877. Mr. Berry had pre- viously been engaged in mercantile business in the place.

SOCIETIES AND ORDERS.

MASONIC.

Grand Ledge Lodge No. 179, F. and A. M., was or- ganized in October, 1865, with thirteen members, and has a present membership of 130. The first Master was George W. Thomas. The Masons and other orders occupied rooms in one of the buildings burned in the " great fire," and all their records, regalia, ete., were lost. The Masonic frater- nity had an insurance of $300, which helped them to start anew, and they now have convenient rooms in one of the new buildings erected since the fire. The present (1880) officers of the lodge are: Hugh Rossman, W. M .; Isaac M. Brown, S. W .; George Deckey, J. W .; Francis M. Kent, Treas .; S. Chadwick, Sec .; A. B. Jones, S. D .; George O'Neill, J. D .; Henry Sweagles, Tiler.

Statistics were promised regarding Grand Ledge Chapter, No. 85, of Royal Arch Masons, but have not been forth- coming. This is of later organization than the lodge.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS.

Grand Ledge Lodge, No. 180, was instituted in 1872, with Hiram Rathbun as Noble Grand. The member- ship, which was limited at first, is now fifty. The lodge was nearly broken up in consequence of the fire, in which it lost everything except the treasurer's record, but finally rallied and is now in good condition, with the following officers : John McAlpine, N. G .; Albert Han- cock, V. G .; Henry Bigelow, Sec .; F. A. Taber, Perma- nent Sec .; T. Foreman, Treas .; Henry Porter, C .; S. L. Hyde, W .; E. Niles, I. G .; De Witt Foreman, O. G .; S. L. Hyde, Lodge Deputy ; W. G. Hyde, Sitting Past Grand.

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.

Island Lodge, No. 73, was organized June 26, 1879, with twenty members, which number, in May, 1880, had increased to thirty. The officers are: A. B. Shoemaker, Master Workman ; G. Homer Jones, Recorder ; M. Pettit, Foreman ; Joel MePeek, Overseer ; H. L. Bigelow, Finan- cier ; J. S. Holmes, Receiver.

KNIGHTS OF HONOR.

Oneida Lodge, No. 1208, was organized Sept. 27, 1878, with twenty members. The membership on the 20th of

May, 1880, was twenty-four, and the officers as follows : F. A. Taber, Dictator; II. Wareham, Vice-Dictator ; Charles McAllister, Assistant Dictator ; G. Homer Jones, Reporter; W. C. Westland, Financial Reporter; C. E. Waldo, Chaplain ; J. S. Holmes, Treas.

THE SEVEN ISLANDS.

This very charming summer resort is situated on Grand River, twelve miles below Lansing, on the line of the De- troit, Lansing and Northern Railroad, at a pretty little village of 1400 inhabitants, called Grand Ledge.

The principal attraction of the place is its picturesque and beautiful scenery. It is one of those natural parks, of mingled cliff-, river-, and island-scenery, so seldom seen, and which seems especially designed to win mankind away from the fatigue and cares of every-day life to find in nature's companionship renewed health and vigor of life, and fit it again to take up the cares of business.

Much has been said by visitors about the beautiful islands here, which are attracting visitors from far and near. They are seven in number, and lie between the bridge and a point about a mile below. The first island, situated a short distance below the bridge, is only a few rods in extent, and is used at present as a deer-park. The second island, situated a few rods below and to the left of this, is the one on which the principal buildings are situated, on which Mr. Hewings, the proprietor of the islands, has erected a large building, twenty-five by one hundred and thirty feet, which he has fitted up for the pleasure and comfort of visitors. Below this island are five others, the largest of which is over half a mile in length. Along the banks of the river at this point are high bluffs, while several deep ravines lead down to the water's edge; and one in particular, a short distance below the large island, is very attractive. In the midst of huge bowlders and ledges a little stream comes tumbling down on its way to the river. This with the dense forest and high bluffs surrounding make up a view worth going many miles to see.

Until recently but little has been done to fit up these islands for pleasure-parties, but the present proprietor, Mr. Hewings, being a man of taste and means, is doing a great deal to add to the attractions of the vicinity, until now a spacious hall, beautiful little steamer, row-boats, bath-houses, bathing-suits, hammocks, archery, croquet-grounds, swings, rustic-seats, fountains, animal-parks, refreshment-stands, and everything for the pleasure and comfort of visitors, are provided. Beautiful camping-grounds with plenty of pure spring-water. No liquors sold on the grounds. There is a fine mineral spring on one of the islands, said to pos- sess curative properties of a high order, and invalids look- ing for a place to spend the hot months will find the Seven Islands offer superior inducements.

SCHOOLS.

The first school district in the township was organized at the Canada Settlement in 1839 or 1840, and a log school- house erected. The record of the township-meeting in the spring of 1840 states that, after convening at the house of Truman W. Nichols, the meeting " adjourned to the school- house in District No. I." School was taught in this build-

502

HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

ing soon after it was erected. In it was also held the first lawsuit in the towoship, and on the following night the building caught fire and burned to the ground.

In the spring of 1851 the first school in Grand Ledge was opened. A school-house had been commenced, but it was seen that it could not be finished in time to complete a three months' term of school before the fall report should be made, and the nine pupils in the district (formed in January, 1851) assembled for a week at the house of Abram Smith, where they were taught by Miss Sanders. At the end of the week the school-house was ready, and was occupied for the balance of the term. But five fami- lies then resided in the district, and three of the men were its officers. The graded system has since been adopted in the schools of the village. Three buildings are in use,-a stone edifice on the north side of the river, near the site of the original small frame building, a frame structure on the south side, and the building erected by the Presbyterians for a chapel. In the first two buildings are taught the primary and intermediate departments, while the chapel is occupied by the grammar department. The schools of the village are in charge of Mr. Wagner as principal. One of the earliest teachers in the place was Mrs. Reuben Wood, not then married, who came here in the summer of 1853, and taught a school of fifty-five pupils, seated on six benches. Mrs. Wood (then Miss Esler) met Mr. Wood here, and was married to him in 1854.

The following items are from the report of the school inspectors for 1879 :

Number of districts in township (five whole, four fractional) .. 9 Number of children of school age .. 82t

Number in attendance for year .. 685

Total number of days school taught. 1457

Number of school-houses (one stone, two briek, eight framne). 11

Number of sealings in same 790 Value of sebool property $9050.00 Number of teachers employed (six males, fourteen females) .. 20

Wages paid same (males, $1242.50; females, $1377).

$2619.50

Total resources for year .. 4353.98

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 .. 490.02 Total expenditures, less amount on band. 3863.96

CHURCHES.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Grand Ledge .- A Metho- dist class was formed at Grand Ledge in 1851, by John Clayton, a local preacher, who lived west of the village, and who is said to have preached the first sermon ever delivered in the place. This was at the house of Abram Smith,- the same which is still occupied by the latter. This is the oldest house in the corporation which is yet occupied. The sermon mentioned was delivered in May, 1851. Two weeks later a meeting was held in the school-house, which had been completed. The first preachers in charge of the cir- cuit who held services at Grand Ledge were Revs. Whit- more and Bartlett, the latter being a young man who trav- eled on foot. Mr. Whitmore was located at Portland, Ionia Co. Meetings were held in the school-house until 1864, when they occupied the Congregational building alternately with the latter church. The present fine brick church owned by the Methodists was built in 1874, and is a credit to the society and the village. In its tower is a town-clock and bell. The present membership of the church is good ; the pastor is Rev. Mr. Freeman.

Free- Will Baptist Church, Grand Ledge .- This church

was organized in 1851, at very nearly the same time with the Methodist. The first Baptist sermon was delivered by Rev. S. A. Currier, and this is also claimed to have been the first in the place. Meetings were first held in private houses, and afterwards in the school-house and public hall. A Free Baptist Church had been organized ten or twelve years before in Eagle township, Clinton Co., and another was afterwards formed four miles west of Grand Ledge. These three finally united, and in 1874 built the brick church they now occupy in the village. Its cost was about $7000. The pastors of this church, since Mr. Currier, have been Elders A. O. Jenne, H. A. Barker, F. W. Streight, W. M. Jenkins, and G. P. Linderman. The latter's ser- vice expired in April, 1880, and the church is at present without a pastor, but expects soon to have the pulpit filled. The membership is in the neighborhood of 120. A Sun- day-school is maintained, with an average attendance of about 100.

First Congregational Church, Grand Ledge .- In March, 1854, a number of citizens of Grand Ledge met and or- ganized a Congregational society, and in March, 1855, the following persons were elected trustees,-viz. : Lyman Ford, William W. Simmons, Edmund Lamson, David Taylor, Daniel Chadwick, and Reuben Wood. It is thought that Mr. Wood was the only religious person of the number. Rev. William P. Esler was made president, and became the first pastor. On the 2Sth of January, 1864, the fol- lowing persons met to complete the legal organization of the society,-viz .: Wm. P. Esler, John P. Esler, George Robinson, William C. Gordon, J. A. Wickham, Reuben Wood, Porter Tinkham, Edmund Lamson, B. T. Esler, Samuel Chadwick, Theodore Wickham, Robert Pointer, M. P. Burtch, John R. Hudson. The following officers were chosen : Rev. William P. Esler, President ; Reuben Wood, Clerk ; James A. Wickham, Treasurer ; William C. Gordon, Edmund Lamson, John P. Esler, James A. Wiek- ham, Milton P. Burtch, and Reuben Wood, Trustees. The organization was finally perfected, and the society incor- porated Dec. 6, 1869. The church was organized about Jan. 1, 1864, and is distinet from the society. The pastors since Rev. William P. Esler have been Revs. J. D. Mil- lard, J. M. Ashley, N. D. Glidden, Gilbert T. Holcomb, E. T. Branch, T. G. Pierce, and the present incumbent, Rev. Isaac Goodell. The present frame house of worship was the first one erected in the village or township, having been erected in 1864. The bell now hanging in it was the first one which sounded in the village. The Methodists oc- cupied the church for some time alternately with the Con- gregationalists, but removed to the Presbyterian chapel while erecting a church for their own use. B. T. Esler, one of the trustees of the Congregational Society, was ap- pointed one of the church building committee, and out of his own means contributed more than one-fourth of the funds used in its construction. The total cost, including the lot on which it stands, was about $3300. The congre- gation now numbers about thirty members. The build- ing is a frame structure, located on the north side of the river.

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.

History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 125

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co. Number of Pages: 772

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 772