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 105
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In 1861, soon after the first battle of Bull Run, which so awakened the country, he was tendered and ac- cepted a commission as Surgeon of the Ist Reg. of Mich. Cav., of which Col. Thornton F. Broadhead, of Detroit, was the commander. The regiment immediately marched to Washington, and in the February following entered Virginia at Harper's Ferry, and par- ticipated in the stirring campaign of General Banks, in the Shenandoah Valley, which followed. The last of March, 1862, Dr. Johnson witnessed a severe engagement between the forces of Gen. Banks and Gen. Stonewall Jackson, in which the latter were com- pletely routed. On that occasion the medical service being yet imperfectly organized, he was one of the few Union surgeons in the field. Later in the season he served during Gen. Pope's Virginia campaign, being most of the time Surgeon of Brigade, on the staff of Gen. John Buford, who commanded the cavalry of Gen. Pope. At the second battle of Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862, Dr. Johnson ex- perienced the grief of seeing his beloved and life-long friend, Col. Broadhead, fall mortally wounded. In February, 1863, Congress created a corps of eight medical inspectors with increased rank, four of whom were to be taken from the regular service, and a like
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mumber from the volunteer service. Dr. Johnson was commis- sioned one of these Inspectors by President Lincoln, and was at once assigned as Medical Inspector of the Army of the Potomac, then encamped on the Rappahannock river, opposite Fredericksburg, Va. He served in that capacity in the exciting campaign which followed, and was present at the battles of Chancellorsville and Get- tysburg. Late in the autumn of that year he was, at his own re- quest, relieved from service in the field, and assigned to duty as Inspector of Hospitals, in the Middle Military Department, with headquarters at Baltimore. In this position he was required to inspect the posts and general hospitals of West Virginia, Mary- dand, Eastern Virginia and North Carolina. While inspecting the large general hospital at Frederick City, Md., in June, 1864,he accidentally fell into the hands of the enemy. From their lines he witnessed the battle of Monocacy, and was permitted to go upon the field after the battle and care for the wounded Union soldiers. He was occupied in the hospital service until October, 1865, when he resigned. In the following month he returned to Grand Rap- ids and resumed his private practice, since which time he has been actively and laboriously engaged in it. Dr. Johnson is a contrib- rutor to medical journals, and has written several pamphlets on medical topics. Among these is one on " The State and its Rela- tion to Medical Education," which was extensively distributed. He is an active member of the State Medical Society, and in 1879 was elected its President. Dr. Johnson has always been a Democrat, but not an active politician, though taking a deep interest in pub- lic affairs. In 1859 he was elected Mayor of Grand Rapids, but declined a re-nomination, and has ever since declined to become a. candidate for any office. He was married Sept. 23, 1847, to Ade- line M., daughter of N. P. Stewart (deceased), of Detroit, Mich. Two of their children-G. Stewart Johnson, a surveyor and engi- neer, and Mary, widow of the late George T. Kendall-are now living. Dr. Johnson, as a citizen, is held in the highest esteem, and gives his best influence and efforts to all institutions of learn- ing and religion.
A portrait of Dr. Johnson is given on another page.
Samuel Judd was born at South Hadley, Mass., May 29, 1806 ; is son of Samuel and Phidelia (Wright) Judd ; married Nov. 23, 1800. Samuel Judd, sr., was born April 24, 1779, and died March 2, 1825. They had 12 children, of whom Mr. Judd, of this sketch, was fourth. He lived at South Hadley 46 years ; acted as City "Treasurer four years. On his removal to Grand Rapids he formed a partnership in market business with B. B. Church: style, Church & Judd. In 1855 his son associated in the same concern when it became Church, Judd & Co. The business was prosecuted until 1858. Mr. Judd was appointed, May 18, 1868, as crier of the U. S. District Court, at Grand Rapids, which position he had 11 years, resigning on account of failing health. He was married Dec. 1, 1830, to Julia Ann, daughter of Levi Swain, of Battleboro, Vt. They had five children: Emily Sophia, died Aug. 31, 1833 ; Sam-
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
uel A. enlisted in the 3d Reg. M. V. I., was Capt. of Co. A., and was shot at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862 ; Geo. E., Elliott Eugene and Ellen Eugenia, twins. The latter is the wife of N. D. Carpen- ter, of Grand Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. Judd are members of the Con- gregational Church of which he has been Deacon for 24 years past. They celebrated their golden. wedding Dec. 1, 1880, Mr. Judd receiving from the Church an elegantly engraved gold-headed cane. Capt. Judd left a wife and two children- William E. and Jennie E., married and living at Holyoke, Mass.
Geo. E Judd was born March 23, 1838, at South Hadley, Mass., and came to Grand Rapids in October, 1852. He wasin the butcher business with his father about two years ; enlisted April 19, 1861, in Co. A, 3d Reg. M. V. I. He enrolled as Sergeant, and Aug 1 was promoted to 2d Lieut., and advanced to 1st Lieut. during the year. His first battle was at Blackburn Ford, and three days later he was in the fight at Bull Run ; was engaged at Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, when he was wounded in the left arm, necessitating amputation. He assumed command of Co. A, on the death of his brother. In 1864-'5 he was placed in charge of the Indian prison- ers at Davenport, Iowa ; from 1866 to 1870 lie was in the employ of the Freedmen's Bureau in the South ; in 1868 was appointed 1st Lieut. in the regular army, and in May, 1870, was promoted to the rank of Captain ; is now on the retired list. He was married Sept. 23, 1859, to Lucinda Leach, of this city ; they have one child, Geo. H., born April 21, 1861. Elliott E. Judd was born at S. Hadley, Mass., Sept. 13, 1841 ; came to Grand Rapids in May, 1852; entered the bank of Daniel Ball, where he was employed as office boy ; and when he left he had been teller four years. In 1861 he became connected with the 3d Reg. M. V. I., as sntler's clerk. In 1864 he returned home and engaged in the First National Bank as teller. In 1868 he engaged in the hardware business with his brother-in-law- firm style, Carpenter, Judd & Co., located at No.15 Canal st., where they are doing a heavy wholesale and retail business. He was mar- ried in 1865, to Hattie G., daughter of George Clay, of this city.
Rev. F. G. Kendall, formerly pastor of the Westminster Pres- byterian Church, of this city, died at sea, while en route for home, on the 25th of August, 1881. He died suddenly after severe vomiting, and the cause of death, in the opinion of the ship's physician, was the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. This city was the scene of his first labors as a minister. He was of commanding physique, and very strong intellectually, his great characteristics being sturdy common sense added to a clear, logical mind. He was the only surviving son of the Rev. Henry Kendall, D. D., of New York city, for many years secretary of the Home Mission Board of the Presby- terian Church, and all the affections and hopes and prayers of his father centered in him. He was buried in Auburn, New York, on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1881.
George Kendall, capitalist, was born at Greenfield, Franklin Co., Mass., Dec. 14, 1813. He is son of Lyman and Martha Clay
B.J. Brown
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(Goodhue) Kendall. The former was a native of Ashford, Conn., and died at Cleveland. O., Feb. 6, 1847. The latter was born at Putney, Vt., and died at Grand Rapids, July 27, 1874. Mr. Ken- dall, sr., was the first President of Franklin County Bank, in Greenfield, Mass. He went to North Adams, Mass., thence to Homer, N. Y., and reached Cleveland, O., Sept. 22, 1833, when that city had not over 2,500 inhabitants. Mr. Kendall received a common-school education, and attended Greenfield Academy two years. In April, 1836, he traveled through Michigan on a prospect- ing tour and spent a Sunday in Grand Rapids. In August, 1840, he went to Kalamazoo and engaged in mercantile operations, and in 1844 to Otsego, Allegan Co. In July, 1846, he came to Grand Rapids and engaged in mercantile transactions until 1850. In 1849 he purchased 76 acres where he now lives, and it was platted as " Kendall's Addition," and since that time he has been occupied in buying and selling real estate. He has been eminently and uni- formly successful in his business ventures and may be considered a fair representative of the public-spirited element of Grand Rapids. He served as Village Trustee in its earlier days, and as Alderman during the second year of its existence as a city. He has been a director in the City National Bank since its organization; is a director in the Gas Company, and Sligh Furniture Company, and stock-holder in the Grand Rapids Brush Company, and the McCord & Bradfield Furniture Company. He was married May 23, 1842, at Alamo, Mich., to Esther Tallman, born in Ontario Co., N. Y. They have had four children, three of whom are living, as follows: Mrs. Martha G. Earl, Mrs. Mary E. Breed (St. Paul, Minn.), and Esther M. Kendall. George T., only son, died May 11, 1877.
James M. Kennedy, liveryman, 35 Fountain street, son of John and Maria (Schermerhorn) Kennedy, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1827. He is by trade a stone-cutter, and came to Grand Rapids in 1854, and engaged in building the D. & M. R. R. two years; afterward was walking boss and superintendent of construc- tion between Ada and Lowell; assisted in building a pier at Grand Haven; was employed for.a time paving Canal, Ottawa and other streets in the city; had charge of the old plaster-mills on Grandville road four years, and in 1864 established a livery; is second oldest in that line of business in the city. He was associated with W. R. Cody one year, when the relation was dissolved and Mr. Kennedy continued the business. He began with six horses and carriages and now manages 38 horses and carriages, four hacks, a boarding and sale stable, and is doing the largest business in the city. He was married in Grand Rapids in 1860 to Sarah A., daughter of Abram and Loretta Dunham, born in Broome Co., N. Y., near Binghamton, in 1837. They have four children-Ritia, Edith, James and Mabel. Mr. Kennedy has taken 32 degrees in the Scot- tish rites of Masonry, and has advanc d to the highest in the Odd Fellows order. Mrs. Kennedy died in the fall of 1880 and is buried in the Fulton street cemetery. Mr. K. is a member of the Old Settlers' Association.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Samuel A. Kennedy was born in Copley, Summit Co., Ohio, May 15, 1846. His father, Philip Kennedy, was a native of Ver- mont, and went to Ohio in 1839, where he died in 1875. Mr. Ken- nedy was educated primarily in the common school, and in the fall of 1861 entered the preparatory department of Baldwin Univer- șity, at Berea, Ohio. He began a collegiate course in 1863 and went to Hillsdale in 1866; took his degree in 1868, and during the next three years was Principal of the Union School at Grass Lake, Jackson Co. He went to the law school at Albany, N. Y., in 1871, and the following year was admitted to the bar in that city. In July, 1872, he opened a law office in Grand Rapids and formed a partnership with H. Joslin-firm style, Joslin & Kennedy. This connection ceased in 1876, and a new one was formed-Ken- nedy & Gordon. One year later he associated with George W. Thompson, firm of Kennedy & Thompson, established in March, 1878. Mr. Kennedy was married May 22, 1877, to Seraph R. Stewart, of Grand Rapids. Mr. Kennedy enlisted at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865, and served till the close of the war.
John Killean, dealer in groceries and provisions, corner of Kent and Bridge streets, and son of John and Mary Killean, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Nov. 27, 1831; lived in the towns of Hamburg and Evans, Erie Co., N. Y., until 1863; was married Feb. 17, 1855, in the city of Buffalo, to Mary, daughter of James and Ann Walsh, and generally engaged in the lumber business until he re- moved to Grand Rapids, where he worked in the hub factory of W. B. Renwick, furniture factory of Turnham & Budington, and spoke factory of Orris Bonney until 1867, when he engaged in his present business as a retail grocer, carrying a stock of about $3,000, doing an annual business of about $30,000, and owning his place of business, his home on Clancy street, and three other dwellings and lots, and 25 acres of land in the town of Evans, Erie Co., N. Y. He has eight children, born in the following order: Anna M., Edward, John F., Margaret E., William M., Catherine E., James A. and Mary J. Malachi Kinney, jr., of the firm of Kinney & Mitchell, No. 146, Kent street, leading horse-shoeing establishment of Grand Rapids, was born in Ireland in 1841. In 1847 his parents, Malachi and Margaret Kinney, started for the United States with five chil- dren, and both died on the route with ship-fever. His elder brother, John, took charge of the family, and they settled in Erie Co., N. Y. His brother was a blacksmith and taught him the trade. He came to Grand Rapids in 1867, and opened a shop on Canal street. Two years after he located on Kent street, No. 136, in partnership with John Mitchell. They lost their building, in- cluding residence, two shops, tools, books, etc .; loss, $4,000. In two weeks the shop was rebuilt and business once more in running order. They shoe on an average 200 horses per week, besides gen- eral repairing, employ seven men besides the proprietors, and the business amounts to about $12,000 yearly. Mr. Kinney was mar- ried in Evans, Erie Co., N. Y., in 1861, to Ellen, daughter of James
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and Anna Welch, born in Canada in 1845. They have eight chil- dren-Mary C., Charles M., John, William, Edward, Anna, Ethel and James. They belong to the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Kinney has a residence at No. 132 Clinton street, and a store on the corner of Bridge and Clancy streets, and a dwelling, 148 Kent street.
Martinus B. Kimm, druggist, was born March 13, 1831, at Groningen, Netherland (Holland); is son of Liert and Henderika F. Kimin. His mother died when he was eight years old, and his father died at Zeeland, Ottawa Co., in 1877. He studied medicine in Holland, and received diploma in chemistry Dec. 11, 1852, at Groningen, where he was clerk in a store. In 1867 he came to America with his father. They stopped 10 weeks at Lafayette, Ind., and seven months at Kalamazoo. In 1868 he opened a drug store in the city, associated with Geo. G. Steketee, under the style of Steketee & Kimm. This relation lasted eight years. In Jan- uary, 1878, he commenced the drug business in company with John Harvey, a well-known druggist of this city, and the firm are doing an extensive and profitable business at the corner of Monroe and Spring streets. He was married in 1869 to Mrs. Susanna Von Barries, who died in 1873. He was again married in 1874 to Mrs. Harmina De Boer. They have two sons and two daughters. Mr. Kimm has made two trips to his native country. He has won a high degree of esteem in his calling, and is rated among the promi- nent business men of Grand Rapids.
Solomon O. Kingsbury, son" of Solomon and Batchua (Pease) Kingsbury, was born May 2, 1812, at Enfield, Conn. Lemuel and Joseph Kingsbury came together from England to this country. The first-named, ancestor of Mr. Kingsbury, of this sketch, settled in Connecticut, and was the father of five sons and five daughters. His son Solomon was born June 4, 1787, and soon after the birth of Solomon 2d the family settled at Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio, where he was brought up and received his education at the district school. In 1824 he engaged as clerk with his brother-in law, at Willoughby, Ohio. In 1833 he went down the Mississippi to Vicksburg, where he found employment one year as clerk. After some 12 years' experience as a clerk he formed a business relation with his cousins, Addison Hill and Geo. W. Allen, of this city. They established a store of general merchandise at Fairport under the style of Hills, Kingsbury & Co., and one at Painesville under the firm name of Hills, Allen & Co. This connection continued between four and five years. Mr. Kingsbury came to Grand Rapids June 8, 1844. He made the route by water from Grand River, Ohio, to Grand River, Mich. In company with his brother, Henry D. Kingsbury, who preceded him a short time, he embarked in general merchandise, which enterprise continued two or three years. He opened a real-estate and insurance office in 1858, with which he is still connected. The valuation of his real estate ranged from $75,000 to $150,000, but in the panic of 1873 it shrank consid-
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
erably. In 1848 he was elected County Treasurer and served four years. He was elected to the Legislature in 1867, on the Republi- can ticket, and took his seat in January, 1868. In May following he was appointed Postmaster at Grand Rapids, entered upon his duties May 10, and held the position two years. He was married Oct. 2, 1836, in Ohio, to Melinda Bond, a native of Rutland, Ver- mont. She died Aug. 2, 1879, after nearly 43 years of married life, leaving two children --- Malvina A. and Gaius Pease. A second son, George A., died when three years of age. Mr. Kings- bury resides with his daughter at the family homestead, No. 186 Fulton street, which was purchased soon after his arrival in the city. G. P. Kingsbury is married and lives at Muskegon, where lie is manager of the telegraph lines.
Edward H. Kinney, of the firm of E. H. Kinney & Co., 205 South Division street, and son of Edward and Eliza Kinney, was born in Lamont, Ottawa Co., Mich., in 1855. He learned the trade of tinner in Petoski, Emmet Co., this State. In October, 1880, he came to this city, and in April, 1881, he opened his present place of business in partnership with Francis J. Kinney. They .keep a full line of hardware, shelfware and tinware, and do general repairing. They carry a well-selected stock of $3,000, and are doing a good business. They also have a second-hand furniture store, corner Grandville avenue and Summit street, where they buy and sell second-hand household goods. Mr. K. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was the first member initiated in Emmet county.
William Kortlander, of Kortlander & Grady, wholesale liquor dealers and compounders, was born at Cologne, Germany, in 1847. When young, he accompanied his parents to America, locating at Maumee City, Ind. In 1855 Mr. Kortlander came to Grand Rapids, and in 1869 opened a wholesale liquor house at 69 Canal st. In 1873 he purchased a brick block at 105 Monroe st., where he removed his stock, and has since remained in business. In the same year, Henry B. Grady was admitted as a partner in the busi- ness, and the firm name changed to Kortlander & Grady. They occupy three floors, and handle only the choicest brands of liquors, brandies and wines. The firm buy pure alcohol in Kentucky, and manufacture it into whisky here. They make a specialty of three brands of whiskies-Valley City. New Hope and Kentucky Club. Their whiskies and fine wines are purchased direct, and the firm hold about $40,000 worth in bonded warehouses in Kentucky. Mr. Kortlander enjoys the reputation of being the most successful liquor dealer in the Valley City. In 1879 he built him a fine- residence at 113 Sheldon st., in which was fitted up a fine portrait gallery. His collection of paintings number over 75, among which is the " Wreck of the 'Alpena " (Oct., 1880), and several others, by the famous marine artist of Chicago-William Torgerson. This gallery of paintings is the finest in the city, and Mr. Kortlander is constantly adding to their number. He is a member of the Ger-
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man Workingmen's Aid Society and St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Kortlander was married Sept. 10, 1872, to Mary E. Nagle, a native of Grand Rapids. Of their five children, four are living-Katie H., Claude W., Leo H. and William E. James is deceased.
John Kotois, jr., of the firm of F. Van Driele & Co., flour and feed merchants, No. 98 Monroe st., was born in the Netherlands (Holland) in 1841. His parents, John and Mary Kotois, came to America in 1849, and located near Milwaukee, Wis., where they bought 100 acres of land. In 1862 he went to Minnesota, and en- gaged about a year on a farm, when he returned to Wisconsin. In 1867 he came to Grand Rapids, and engaged in business at his pres- ent stand in company with his brother. In 1867 they were burned out, and lost about $2,000. The store was rebuilt by Mr. Francis Van Driele, and they again opened business; they carry a stock ranging from $3,000 to $12,000; have a large storehouse in Bost- wick st., and do an annual business of $100,000 retail and whole- sale. Mr. Kotois was married in 1872, at Grand Rapids, to Carrie, daughter of Rudolph and Maggie De Ruiter, born in the Nether -. lands, and died in this city in 1875, leaving two children-Mary and Maggie. Mr. Kotois was again married, July 17, 1877, to Minnie Vrieding, born in the Netherlands, in 1843; they have two children -- Minnie and John. Mr. K. owns a fine residence at 91 Williams st., a half interest in the store, and a third interest in the Bostwick st. warehouse.
William Kotois, of the firm of F. Van Driele & Co., son of John and Mary Kotois, was born in the Netherlands in 1842. His pa- rents came to America in 1849, and settled in Wisconsin. In 1864 he came to Grand Rapids, and engaged in the feed business with F. Van Driele, where the Morton House now stands, and a few weeks after were burned out with a loss of $300. They went to the present site of Peck's drug store, and a year later located at their present stand. In 1867 they were burned out with a loss of $2,000, when Mr. Van Driele bought the lot and built a store on it. Mr. Kotois and his brother, John, purchased the building and again renewed business. They are doing a heavy business in flour, feed and grain, and own a warehouse on Bostwick street, formerly used as the Dutch Reformed church. Mr. Kotois was married at Grand Rapids in 1865, to Maggie Postma, step-daugh- ter of Mr. Van Driele, born in the Netherlands in 1841. They have three children- Frank J., Sarah M. and Mary M. Mr. Ko- tois owns a half interest in the store, and a third-interest in the warehouse on Bostwick street.
Julius Kuhn, confectioner, and the only exclusive caterer in Grand Rapids, 41 and 43 Lyon street, was born at Verden, Ger- many, Jan. 21, 1847. His father, Albert Kuhn, was a confectioner of that place. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Germany, and when quite young entered the Royal Confection- ery, at Hanover, where he thoroughly learned all branches of the
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
confectioner's trade, and remained till 1866. He then came to America, locating at Newport, R. I., where he remained two sea- sons. He then came to Grand Rapids, and in 1868 presided as chief caterer at the opening of Sweet's Hotel. He remained there in that position for nearly six years. In 1875 he opened a con- fectioner's establishment on Monroe street, and in April. 1880, removed to his present location, in the Twamley block. He han- dles only the finest grades of pure candies, as Whitinan's of Phila- delphia, and those made by Krantz, of Chicago. During the summer season he has handsome ice-cream parlors, which, in winter, are used for oyster parlors. Mr. Kuhn' is a member of the Workingmen's Aid Society, Harmonie Singing Society, Turn Verein and the Foresters. In 1881 he was one of the organizers of the State Sangerfest, and a member of the executive and decorative committees. He was married in August, 1870, to Libbie Schmidt, a native of Milwaukee, Wis., and of German parentage. They have five children -- Albert, August, Louisa, Julius, jr., and Libbie. Mr. Kuhn is Democratic in politics.
Christopher Kusterer (deceased) was a son of Jacob Kusterer, of Gumpelscheuer, Wurtemberg, Germany. He spent his boy- hood in his native place, attending the public schools. After having been confirmed in the Lutheran faith, in which he was bap- tized and brought up, he was apprenticed to a brewer of Freuden- stadt (a town 18 miles from his home), in his fourteenth year, to learn the brewer's trade. He spent seven years at that place, and when 21 years of age returned home, in obedience to the laws of his country, to run the risk of being chosen as a sol- dier. Not being drafted, however, he resolved to come to America, , and arrived at New York in 1845. He first located at Ann Arbor, Mich., and was employed in Mr. Kern's brewery for two years. He then removed to Grand Rapids, and became estab- lished in the brewing business. A few years later he purchased property on the corner of Ionia and East Bridge streets, and erected a large and substantial brewery. In the fall of 1880 he took passage at Grand Haven on the ill-fated " Alpena, " and with the entire crew and passengers found a watery grave in the deep of Lake Michigan. After Mr. Kusterer's death a stock company was formed under the name of the "Kusterer Brewing Co.," which purchased the stock and trade of Mrs. Kusterer, and now operate the business. Mr. Kusterer was a man of the strictest
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