History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 100

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1434

USA > Michigan > Kent County > History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 100

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

on Division st. Their stock averages a value of $25,000, with annual sales amounting to something near $300,000, and constantly increasing. They are the youngest co-partnership in the wholesale grocery business in the State-Mr. Fox being in his 31st year, Mr. Musselman nearly the same, and Mr. Loveridge but 26 years old. Mr. Fox belongs to the Odd Fellows.

Hon. Henry Fralick, Grand Rapids, is a native of New York, and was born at Minden, Montgomery Co., on the 9th of Feb., 1812. His father, Abraham Fralick, originally from Columbia Co., N. Y., was a captain in the war of 1812. His grandfather was one of a family of 15 boys, 11 of whom were engaged in the Rev- olutionary war, in which four of them were killed; of the seven who returned, all were wounded. His mother was Mary E., daughter of Henry Keller, of Minden, N. Y., who was quite prominent in the community, having been a member of the As- sembly and the Senate of the State. Mr. Fralick received his edu- cation in the district schools of his native county, and in Wayne county, where his father removed in 1824. The next three years were spent in assisting with the work on the farm, at the end of which time the family removed to Plymouth, Mich. In 1829 he left home to seek his fortune; going to New York, he worked on a passenger boat of the Erie canal for two years, becoming Captain of the boat the second year. In 1832, at New Bedford, Mass., he shipped as a hand before the mast, on a whaling vessel bound for the South Atlantic and Indian oceans. On this voyage he was gone two years,-touching at a great many different points, and bringing home a full cargo of whale oil and bone. In 1834 Mr. Fralick shipped as third mate in a merchant vessel bound for Rio Janeiro and other parts of South America. He was gone on this voyage about seven months; after which he was engaged for an- other year on several coasting vessels, when he returned to Michi- gan. In 1836 he went to Detroit and became clerk at the Michigan Exchange, the principal hotel in the city. Here he

remained nine months, when he returned to Plymouth, and became clerk in the store of Henry B. Holbrook. In 1838 he bought out Mr. Holbrook's stock of dry goods, and engaged in business for himself. In a few months he took in as partners Messrs. Austin and Penniman, the firm name being Austin, Fralick & Co .; and, after carrying on this business for three years, sold his interest, bought a lumber-mill, and built a flour-mill. After two years he sold his mills to Mr. Austin and again engaged in the sale of dry- goods. In 1860 Mr. Fralick sold his store and goods. About a year and a half afterward he came to Grand Rapids, where he bought out the interest of Mr. Aldrich in the bank of Ledyard & Aldrich; the firm then became Ledyard & Fralick, and as such carried on a very successful banking business for about five years, when it was dissolved, and the City National Bank, of Grand Rapids, was organized, since which time Mr. Fralick has been a stockholder and director of this bank. Upon the firing on For

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Sumter, in 1861, he, with his brother and Mr. Penniman, raised, equipped and filed the muster-roll of the first company in the State, which enlisted for three years; and throughout the Re- bellion he gave his energy and means to aid the Government in its vigorous prosecution of the war. In 1867 he again bought a stock of goods, and engaged in the mercantile trade for about two years, when he sold out to Mr. Remington, and began the real- estate business, in which he still continues. In 1872 he, with others, formed the Grand Rapids Chair Company, with a capital of $300,000. Of this company he was director for three years and president two years, when, on account of press of business, he resigned. Mr. Fralick has been Justice of the Peace, Supervisor and County Auditor. He has served for 30 years as a school officer, and for four years as President of the Board of Education of the city of Grand Rapids. He is and has been a trustee and the treas- urer of Olivet College for the last six years, and has been a member of the Legislature for three different terms. In 1850 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention, which formed the present Constitution of the State; and, in 1853, he was elected State Senator, and was appointed chairman of the select com- mittee on the Maine law question. He presented to the Senate a petition, with 100,000 names annexed, in the favor of the passage of the Maine law in Michigan, and in pursuance thereof, he pre- sented a bill, which, after amendment, became a law .· In 1871 he was appointed by the Governor of the State a member of the Relief Committee for the distribution of the funds sent to help those who were sufferers by the fire, which had devastated the Western part of Michigan. To the duties of this committee he devoted, gratuitously, seven months of his time; and the self- sacrificing labors that he put forth in behalf of these sufferers can never be forgotten. In 1875 he was again appointed by the Governor one of the State Board of Managers to represent Mich- igan at the National Centennial Exposition, to the discharge of which duty he devoted about four months; and it was largely to his continued and successful efforts, that the State of Michigan owes the prominence which she held at the exposition. In 1837, on the 23d of May, he was married to Corinna A., daughter of Henry Lyon, who was one of the first settlers of the town of Ply- mouth, Mich. Mrs. Fralick died on the 16th of October, 1840. On the 22d of April, 1842, he married Jeannette Woodruff, of Plymouth, Mich. They have four children, one son and three daughters. Being highly regarded for the soundness of his judg- ment, and ever ready to help by his influence and counsel, he has held for eight years the position of President of Board of Trustees in the First Congregational Church of Grand Rapids. In the public career of Mr. Fralick, every step is marked by conscien- tious effort, based on principle. Emphatically, he is a man of energy, sterling integrity, and unselfish generosity.

A portrait of Mr. Fralick may be found in this work.

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

Charles H. French (firm of Wilkinson & French) was born in Plainfield in 1855; is son of John and Charlotte (Leach) French. His parents came to Grand Rapids in 1862 where his father traded in real estate and lumber. Mr. French was brought up in this city and spent eight years as telegraph operator and station agent on the G. R. & I., the D. & M., F. & P. M., and U. P. R. Rs .; then bought a foundry and machine shop at Middleville, Barry Co .; sold it two years after and engaged in the livery business at Grand Rapids with F. G. Beamer at his present stand. At the end of eight months they sold to Wilkinson. In May, 1881, Mr. French again bought a half interest with Mr. W .; they keep a livery, hack, board and sale stable. He was married at Grand Rapids, May 22, 1874, to Augusta H., daughter of Columbus C. Gooding, born in Alpine in 1856; they have one son-Pearlie W., born at Grand Rapids, May 13, 1875. M French was Dep. Sheriff and Constable in 1875.

George V. French, liveryman, No. 62 N. Ionia st., son of Vin- cent and Eliza French, was born in Ashtabula Co., O., in 1841. At 20 he enlisted in Co. A, 50th O. V. I., Capt. Pratt, serving one year in the ranks and another in the regimental band. He was variously employed after the close of the war, coming to Grand Rapids in 1867. During the last six years he has managed a livery business, chiefly at his present stand, where he has eight horses; runs one hack; keeps a sale and boarding stable. He was married in Grand Rapids, in January, 1867, to Ida R., daughter of J. W. and Mariett Taylor.

Frey Bros. (Christian, Carl and Adam), proprietors of the Cold- brook brewery, Grand Rapids, were born at Wurtemberg, Germany, where they received a good school education, and subsequently Carl learned the brewing business and Adam the milling trade. Christian was born Jan. 1, 1841, and in 1856 came to Grand Rapids, and soon after went to Chicago, where he learned the saddle and harness maker's trade. In 1865 Carl an | Adam came to Grand Rapids, and soon after the former obtained employment in a brewery, and the latter in one of the flour-mills of this city. In 1871, Christian and Carl established the Coldbrook brewery,

and in 1875 Adam was admitted as a third partner. Christian was married in 1867, to Mary Nagel, a native of Germany. They have two children-Mary and Christian, who attend the parochial school attached to the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which Mrs. Frey is a member. The three brothers are honored members of the Arbeiter Verein.

Samuel L. Fuller was born Jan. 24, 1819, at Geneseo, Living- ston Co., N. Y. He is son of Philo C. and Sophia N. ( Nowlen ) Fuller, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter born in Connecticut. Mr. Fuller grew to manhood at Geneseo, where his father was in active public life, and had the advantage of an aca- demic course of study at the high school, where he also learned sur- veying. He came to Michigan in May, 1836, and while prospecting

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

in the State, met John Almy at Detroit, and engaged with him as engineer on the canal at Grand Rapids, then in process of construc- tion. In the winter of the same year he was employed by Mr. Clark as assistant in the survey of Government land on the north side of Grand river. He was employed in the summers of '38 and '39 in laying out the ship canal at Sault Ste. Marie. During the winters of those years he was engaged in the State survey of Grand river. In May, 1840, he became private secretary to Hon. Chas. H. Carroll at Groveland, Livingston Co., N. Y., where he re- mained four years. In 1844 Mr. Fuller commenced farming in Livingston county, which he followed 10 years. In 1854 he bought a farm near Geneva, New York ( the State premium farm ) where he remained two years, meanwhile making a trip to England in connection with Mr. Brooks, for the importation of thoroughbred Durham cattle to Livingston county, whither he returned to his former location and stayed until 1862, when he went to New York city and engaged in expressing freight for the Central Express Co .. where he remained until 1868. He represented his district in the New York Assembly in the winter of '60-'61. In 1868 he returned to Grand Rapids and associated himself with his brother, E. P. Fuller, in a private banking house, and retired in 1876 from active business life. He was married in the fall of 1844, at Me- dina, N. Y., to Emily Stevens, a native of New York, but since 1836 a resident of Michigan. She died in '52, leaving two daugh- ters. He was married in 1854 to Mrs. Arthuretta S. Van Vech- ten, born at Albany, N. Y. Mr. Fuller has been a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church since he was 26 years of age. Resi- dence, 132 Washington st.

William Fuller, M. D., was born on a farm five miles north of London, July 5, 1842; the son of Rodolphus and Jemima (Morder) Fuller, both natives of Canada. His grandfather, William Fuller, was one of the earliest settlers of Middlesex Co, Canada. His fatlier's family removed to London when he was eight years of age, and he received his early education at the Union school, and subsequently at Mr. Baylie's grammar school, of that city. At the age of 14 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John A. Nelles, of London. In 1857, on account of a financial difficulty which involved his father's family, he abandoned the study of medicine, obtained a certificate from the Board of Education of Middlesex county, and devoted himself to teaching a district school for a period of five years. In 1862 he resumed the study of medicine under the tuition of the late Dr. Alexander Anderson, ( ' London. Matriculated in the medical department of McGill University, Montreal, in 1863, from which he received the degree of M. D. C. M., in the spring of 1866 receiving the senior prize for practical anatomy, and standing in the honor class of that year. In 1867 Dr. Fuller was appointed to fill a vacancy as Dem- onstrator of Anatomy and Curator of the Museum of McGill College, which post he continued to occupy with satisfaction for a

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY ..

period of seven years, until he resigned to accept the chair of Anatomy in Bishop's College, Montreal, which he retained for three years previous to his removal to Grand Rapids. During the same period he was one of the attending physicians to the Wom- an's Hospital of Montreal. He is a licentiate and member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Quebec; has been a member of the Canada Medical Association since its organization; is a member of the Medical and Surgical Societies of Montreal and Grand Rapids, and Michigan Medical Society. He has also from time to time contributed many valuable and original papers to medical science, which have been highly appreciated by his associates.

Dr. Fuller was married in Montreal in 1868 to Miss Emeline Wickham, of Grand Rapids, Mich. He removed to Grand Rapids with his family, consisting of his wife and four children, in 1878, where he rapidly acquired a reputation and lucrative practice as a family and consulting physician and surgeon. Dr. Fuller is par- ticularly noted as a skillful surgeon; his chief characteristics are self-reliance, energy and perseverance, and he has justly won the confidence of the communities in which he has resided.

James Gallup, Postmaster of Grand Rapids,'was born at Brook- lyn, Windham Co., Conn., in 1820. His parents, John and Lucy (Clark) Gallup, were natives of Groton and Windham, of the same State. Mr. Gallup was reared in his native county, and received his early education in the district schools and academy of Brook- lyn. When 16 years of age, he commenced teaching school, and continued in that profession and in the prosecution of his studies until the age of 20. In 1840 he moved to Palmyra, N. Y., where he was engaged in the mercantile trade until 1849, when he went to California. There, after engaging in mining for a time, he located at Sacramento City, and in partnership with Levi Bash- ford, Esq., of. Lyons, N. Y., engaged in mercantile pursuits. During the year 1850 the firm established a trading house at Nevada City, and one also at Grass Valley, where they carried on a successful business until 1853, when they sold out their mer- cantile interests and, together, returned to their Eastern homes, with an attachment and love for each other such as rarely exists between men not bound together by family ties.

After his return, Mr. Gallup located at Palmyra once more and engaged in the drug business until 1860, when, with his family, he moved to Grand Rapid-, Mich., and there established himself in his former branch of business as a drug merchant, where Mills & Lacy are now located. By strict integrity and fair dealing he soon became well known throughout the county and the north- western portions of the State, and did a successful business. In the winter of 1878-'9 Mr. Gallup received and accepted the appointment of Postmaster from President R. B. Hayes, and immediately entered upon the duties of the office. He was mar- ried Sept. 24, 1844, to Hannah M. Capron, a native of Macedon,

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

N. Y., and the only daughter of William P. and Mariamne (Allen) Capron, natives of Connecticut. They have one child-Lucy, who is the wife of L. W. Wolcott, Esq., a prominent lawyer of Grand Rapids.

Having been reared in a Christian family, and becoming early imbued with the the importance of doing something for others as well as for himself, Mr. Gallup at an early age identified himself with the Congregational Church and denomination, to which his parents were strongly attached, and in which he has since been a most faithful and efficient member. While a resident of Palmyra, N. Y., he was known as an earnest supporter of the grand reforms of those days, and especially was he a central spirit in the Sunday- school and other causes, which had for their object the best wel- fare of the young. In Sacramento he was the main mover in organizing, and the first Superintendent of the first Sunday-school in that city, which school afterward blossomed into a healthy church in which he was an officer, and which had for its first pastor the talented Rev. J. A. Benton, who is now a Professor in the Theological Seminary at Oakland, opposite San Francisco. Mr. Gallup also aided in establishing a church at Nevada City, which has since been a rich blessing to thousands of sojourners in that mountainous region. Upon coming to Grand Rapids, himself and his wife united with the first Congregational Church. Soon after, . he was elected a member of its Board of Trustees, and for 10 years was Secretary of said board and Treasurer of the Society, and for 15 years has been the Superintendent of the large Sunday- school connected with that Church.

Since boyhood, Mr. Gallup has manifested a remarkable inter- est and zeal in matters pertaining to the moral and religious wel- fare of the different communities in which he has lived. Always willing to aid, he has often filled pulpits, presided over Sunday- school conventions, lectured before associations, taken a leading part in the Young Men's Christian Association work, and in many other ways striven to better the condition of society. His charac- teristic energy, earnest manner and conscientious course have won for him hosts of friends throughout the entire State, and opened for him many doors to great usefulness. Duties connected with various positions of trust which he has been called to fill, he has always discharged intelligently and honestly.

The postoffice under his charge is one of the ablest-conducted in the State, and receives the undivided care and attention of its chief. In politics, Mr. Gallup in his early years was a Whig, and took a deep interest in the Presidential campaign of 1840. He, however, sympathized with the Free-Soil movement, and was a member of the convention when that party was organized. But as soon as the Republican party came into existence, he identified himself with it, and has ever since been one of its earnest sup- porters, and a sincere advocate of its principles.

Mr. Gallup has a beautiful home on the high grounds, on the southeast corner of Fountain and Lafayette streets, in Grand

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

Rapids, where, with his happy family around him, consisting of his wife, daughter, son-in-law and two litte grand-daughters, he lives in the enjoyment of a wide acquaintance, and the esteem of those who know him.

Captain Jesse Ganoe, of J. Ganoe & Son, proprietors of the Grand River Transportation Company, was born in Broome Co., N. Y., Jan. 5, 1819. His parents were Jesse and Susan (Childs) Ganoe. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and when 18 years of age accompanied his parents to Michigan, locat- ing in Monroe county. Mr. Ganoe came to Oakland Co., Mich., with Alex. Wattles, with whom he remained on a farm some years. He then purchased a tract of land in Troy tp., same county, and three years later went to Lansing, where he bought a piece of tim- bered land, and remained six years. He then located on the Grand river, in Ottawa county, 12 miles from Grand Rapids, where he was engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business for some time, and then located at Grand Rapids. In March, 1855, he built the . steamboat "Pontiac," and established his present business. He subsequently built the "Daniel Ball " and "L. G. Mason, " the lat- ter of which he sold to a party at East Saginaw; the former he sold 9 or 10 years later, and then built the "Jennison," which burned in 1877. In June, 1875, the steamboat "W. H. Barrett," was first floated, which is now in charge of his son, William H., the junior member of the firm, and makes tri-weekly trips from Grand Rapids to Grand Haven. Mr. Ganoe was married in Jan- uary, 1850, to Beulah Parks, a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., who came to Michigan when six years of age. Two children have been born to them -- William H. and Lucy, wife of H. T. Barrett, of Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Ganoe is a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

John Gelock, of Gelock Bros., wagon-makers, corner of Waterloo and Louis streets, residence 53 Spring street, was born in Zeeland, Jan. 1, 1824. His father was Martin Gelock, a wagon- maker in the old country. The subject of this sketch attended school at Newkirk, and when 12 years of age learned the wagon- maker's trade. In 1850, when 26 years of age, he came to Amer- ica, locating at Grand Rapids. He soon obtained employment at his trade with John B. & Leonard Baxter, and subsequently with Seebey Rathmann. In 1854 he commenced business for himself, and at present the firm of Gelock Bros. turns out some of the best work done in the city. Mr. Gelock was one of the founders of the Christian Holland Reformed Church, of Grand Rapids, and has been an officer of the same since its organization. He is a strong Republican. Mr. Gelock was married, in 1848, to Alice Wagon- maker, a native of Zeeland. Of the four children born to them, only one survives-Maria. Mrs. Gelock died in 1852, and he was again married, in 1860, to Martha Kip, also a native of Zeeland. Six children were given them, three now living -- Elizabeth, John and Nellie. Wife died in 1870, and he was married the third time,

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

in 1874, to Diemerk, widow of the Rev. F. Hulst. One child born to them is deceased. Mrs. Gelock has three children by her former union-John, Joe and Mary.

Thomas Gibbons, engineer of Engine No. 2, Grand Rapids Fire Department, was born in Herfordshire, Ledborg, England, Jan. 29, 1833. When 16 years of age, he accompanied his uncle to the United States, locating at Tamaqua, Pa., and thence to Mauch Chunk, where the subject of this sketch learned the machinist's trade, remaining there two years. He then went to Trenton, N. J., where he remained one year, and subsequently to Chicago. Two years later he came to Grand Rapids, and went to work for Ball & Babcock, and the different firms succeeding them, for nearly 20 years. In 1855 he became connected with the volunteer fire department, and when it was made a full-time and pay depart- ment, was made Superintendent of machinery department, and has served in that and o her positions since. Mr. Gibbons is a mem- ber of Valley City Lodge, Masonic, No. 86, and of the Chapter and Council. He is connected with the Knights Templar, Fire- man's Fund Association and the Masonic Mutual Aid Association. He was married, in 1856, to Caroline Burritt, a native of New York. They have two children-John H., who is a midshipman in the United States Navy, and Mary Louise, aged 10 years. Mr. Gibbons and family are regular attendants on the service of the Episcopal Church.

Francis B. Gilbert was born at Greenfield, Mass., May 25, 1818. He went to Grand Haven in June, 1837, and entered the employ of Messrs. Robinson, White & Williams; then engaged in the Indian and other general trading interests. In 1840 he entered the employ of John Wendell, at Grand Rapids, a trader well known . to the early settlers of Kent county. Mr. Gilbert returned to Grand Haven in 1844, and engaged in business interests with his brother, Thomas D. Gilbert. In 1855 he bought the celebrated Bostwick place, in Grand Rapids, and soon after establishing a permanent citizenship, he was elected President of the Gas Company, at its organization in 1857, and still continues at the head of the enter- prise. He is a Director in the City National Bank, and in May, 1881, was appointed a member of the Board of Public Works. He was married Oct. 5, 1850, to Caroline E., daughter of the late Nathan Throop, of Grand Haven. They had three sons and three daughters.

Hon. Thomas D. Gilbert is one of Michigan's most eminent busi- ness men and pioneers, having been prominently identified with its social, commercial, and political interests for nearly half a cen- tury. He is a native of Greenfield, Mass., and was born Dec. 13, 1815. He located at Grand Haven, Ottawa Co., Mich., June 10, 1835. It is graphically stated that Grand Haven was then a " city of one house ; " here Mr. Gilbert engaged in lumber- ing and mercantile enterprises, in company with his brother, Fran- cis B. Gilbert. In 1842 he was elected Sheriff of Ottawa county.

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The brothers continued their business in Grand Haven from 1844 to 1856, when they both took up their residence in Grand Rapids. After two years' travel Mr. Gilbert located permanently at Grand Rapids, since which time he has been identified with its interests. In 1860 he was elected to the lower house of the Legislature, and served in the sessions of 1860-'61. He was elected Regent of the University of Michigan in 1863, and served 12 years.

At the organization or the City National Bank, of Grand Rapids, in 1865, he was chosen its President, and still retains that office. In 1860 he was chosen Secretary and Treasurer and Managing Director of the Gas Company, which position he now holds. In- 1873 he was appointed President of the Board of Public Works for the city of Grand Rapids, serving in this capacity for five years. During this period many valuable public improvements were intro- duced and completed, among the most notable being the Grand Rapids City Water Works.

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History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 100

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 1434

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1434