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 106

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 106

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business principles and firm integrity. He was Democratic in politics, and owned a large interest in the Star Flour Mills. He married Mary D. Dauble, of Ann Arbor. Mr. Kusterer was a faithful and loving husband, a kind father, and a man whose loss was mourned by all.

Frank F. Kutts, attorney, was born Nov. 17, 1837, in the vil- lage of Brooklyn, Napoleon tp., Jackson Co. Samuel Kutts, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, and by occupation a tailor; came to this State in 1836. Mr. Kutts, of this sketch, was

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the youngest, save one, of 10 children, nine of whom lived to ma- ture years. He obtained his early education at the common schools of Brooklyn. and afterward attended the Michigan Union College, of Leoni. About the year 1868 he entered the University at Ann Arbor, and graduated from the law department in 1870, and was admitted to the bar at Jackson the following fall. He came to Kent county and settled at Rockford in December, 1870. Chas. G. Hyde read law in his office and formed a partnership with him after being admitted to the bar. The relation continued three years, and in 1876 Mr. Kutts came to Grand Rapids. He was elected .Prosecuting Attorney in 1878; was married Jan. 11, 1871, to Kittie, daughter of Peter J. Van Slyke, of Napoleon, Jackson Co. They have one son.

James D. Lucy was born at Rileyville, Wayne Co., Penn., May 25, 1849; is son of Aaron B. and Margaret A. Lacy. He lived on his father's farm and attended the public schools, and in 1861 went to Honesdale, where he clerked in a boot and shoe store summers, and went to school winters, until the spring of 1863, when he entered the drug store of Wm. II. Reed, and served an apprenticeship of three years. He entered the employ of Wilson & Harvey, of this city, Oct. 28, 1866. In August, 1869, he purchased an interest in the business of Benj. R. Stevens, druggist, on Canal street. In April, 1871, he sold out and engaged as traveling salesman for a whole- sale house in Philadelphia. In August, 1873, he again engaged in local business with Charles W. Mills. The firm are transacting a large and eminently successful business on Canal street, dealing largely in drugs and surgical instruments. They also have a two- thirds interest in the Mills & Lacy Manufacturing Co., of which Mr. Mills is Vice-President, and Mr. Lacy, Secretary and Treasurer. The firm also own two-thirds of the Spa Bottling Works, of this city, established in 1879. Their stock includes full lines of toilet and fancy goods, and wines and liquors for medical purposes. They import a large portion of their goods. Mr. Lacy was married May 18, 1874, at Grand Rapids, to Mattie E., daughter of J. W. and Harriet Winsor, pioneers of Kent county. They have one child-Lotta L., six years old. Mr. Lacy's sole capital when he made his first ventures in the world consisted of a determination to rise, and, possessing the necessary qualifications to sustain his resolutions, has made rapid strides in his honorable advancement. Mr. Lacy is a member of the Grand Rapids Lodge (Masonic), No. 34, Grand Rapids Chapter, No. 7, and De Molai Commandery (Knights Templar), and has officiated as Junior Warden in the latter body, for the past three years.

Isaac F. Lamoreaux, Sheriff of Kent county, was born in Canada, near Toronto, April 8, 1851. His parents, James R. and Clarissa M. (Winchester) Lamoreaux, are still living on a farm in the vicin- ity of Traverse City, Mich. In 1852 they moved to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and settled in Byron, this county, in 1854. He was sent to school in Algoma and finished his education in Grand Rapids. Hi3

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father was engaged in the lumber trade, and he was employed with him until 18 years of age, after which he entered a store in this city as clerk. In 1872 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Jesse Wykoff, serving for about one year, after which Mr. L. engaged as clerk in the grocery trade two years. In 1874 he was appointed Collector for the 6th ward. In 1875 he was made turnkey at the jail, under Isaac Haynes. In January, 1877, he was appointed deputy, under Sheriff Peck, and served through the term. In the spring of 1877 he was elected Aldermanof the 6th ward, which he represented in the Common Council two years. In January, 1881, was elected Sheriff of Kent county. He was married at Grand Rapids, May 4, 1881, to Amelia Schols. Mr. L. is still a young man, and at 30 has had all the evidence of his popularity among his fellows required to predict what his future promises to be.

William T. Lamoreaux, wholesale and retail dealer in grain and seeds, 91 Canal street, was born at Newark, Wayne Co., N. J., Ang. 2, 1847. His father was Andrew O. Lamoreaux, a lumber- man and grain dealer of that county. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Newark, and received a good common-school education. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. E, 111th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., serving till the close of the war. He then entered Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he received a good business training. Mr. Lamoreaux's first business venture was at the age of 18 years, when he purchased a canal boat, and sold it two weeks after for a net profit of $200. On April 19, 1867, he came to Grand Rapids, and was the junior partner of the firm of Miller (Samuel) & Lamoreaux, in the grain business. The firm re- mained as such 10 years. Mr. L. then purchased his partner's interest, and has since carried on the business alone. He handles about 1,000 car loads of grain annually, besides shipping 2,000 to 4,000 bags of clover, and from 1,500 to 2,000 bags of timothy seed per year, together with a large amount of garden seeds. He was married to Sarah H. Markham, a native of Boston, Mass., who died Feb. 16, 1871. On March 17, 1875, he was joined in marriage to Agnes J. McGill, a native of Keeseville, N. Y. Mr. Lamoreaux and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

Freeman Lathrop was born July 23, 1837, at Hawley, Franklin Co., Mass. His parents, George and Mary Lathrop, were both na- tives of Massachusetts. Mr. Lathrop is the youngest of four sons reared and educated there. He fitted for college at Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, N. H .. and entered at Amherst in 1860. He studied law with Henry L. Dawes, of North Adams, Mass., and entered the Law School at Albany in '63 and was admitted to the bar in '64. He practiced his profession four years at Pontiac, Ill., and went to Saginaw in '68 and engaged in the lumber business. He was burned out Oct. 8, 1871, same date as the breaking out of the Chicago fire. In 1874 he came to Grand Rapids and opened a real estate and insurance office. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1879, which office he holds at present. He was married

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July 10, 1864, at Wilmington, Vt., to Barbara A. Aldord, a native of that State. They have two daughters and one son.

Daniel A. Laubenstein, M. D., is a native of Bota, Hungary, where he was born Sept. 15, 1836. His parents, Esther and Isaac Laubenstein, are both deceased. He left his native city of Bota at 15 and went to Vienna, Austria, to enter upon his literary educa- tion, graduating at 18. He commenced the study of medicine the same year at the University of Vienna and took his degree in 1845. The following year the Austrian-Italian war was in progress, and he entered the service as a surgeon, resigning in 1848. He came to America in 1849, reaching New York, August 25. He practiced his profession at Trenton, N. J., two years, and in 1851 went to Springfield, Mo., where he pursued his calling until 1861. At the breaking out of the war for the Union he enlisted under the first call for three months' men. He practiced from '63 to '67 at Kala- mazoo, when he located in Grand Rapids, where he has had an in- creasing and successful practice. He does a large business among the wealthy German population of the city. In 1874 he was city physician, and in the fall of 1880 was elected Coroner. He was married May 10, 1851, at New York to Rosa Strauss, who died in 1860. They had four daughters and one son (deceased), -Emma, Lena, Bella and Clementina. He was married again at Hancock, Lake Superior, in 1862, to Caroline Bear, and they have two chil- dren,-Isaac and Bertha. Dr. Laubenstein's office is at No. 6 Leavitt block, Canal st.

Joseph Leeuw, grocer, Nos. 503 and 505 Ottawa st., son of Gil- bert and Mary Leeuw, was born in Holland in 1823. In 1852 he came to the United States and settled in Lancaster, N. Y., coming six months after to Grand Rapids, where he engaged in various kinds of labor until 1872, when he embarked in the grocery business. He carries a stock of $2,000 in groceries, flour, feed, etc., and does an aggregate of $25,000 worth of business yearly. He owns his store and resides in the upper part of the building. He was married in Grand Rapids in 1854 to Wilhelmina, daughter of John Van Donge, born in Holland in 1832. They had one child, Mary, wife , of Eugene Richmond. Mr. Leeuw was married again in 1874, to Martha, widow of Leonard Garlow, born in Holland in 1821. She has two children by her first marriage-Leonard, jr., and Peter. They are members of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Adolph Leitelt, proprietor Valley City Iron Works, was born at Kratzau, Bohemia, Jan. 13, 1833. According to the law of Austria, Mr. Leitelt and seven brothers attended the National Schools at Kratzau, from the age of six to fourteen years. He then became an apprentice to his father in the locksmith business, in which he continued until 21 years of age, when he left Bohemia for the Uni- ted States. He arrived at New York Sept. 28, 1853, and remained there about a year, working at his trade. In 1854 he came to Grand Rapids, and was employed as a machinist until 1860; he then went to Grand Haven, and accepted the position of foreman

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

for William M. Ferry. He remained there two years, and in 1863 returned to Grand Rapids, and engaged in business for himself. His foundry and machine shop were consumed in the fire of '72," his loss being $20,000. Since Mr. Leitelt has been in business for himself, he has manufactured upward of 200 engines, and more than that number of boilers. His machine shops are the largest in the Grand River Valley. In 1873, he re- ceived from Gov. Bagley a commission to visit the Vienna Expo- sition in behalf of the State of Michigan. His political views are Democratic, and for some years he was Alderman in the City Council. On Oct. 4, 1859, he married Theresa, daughter of Ed- ward Ansorge, of Grand Rapids, originally of Engelsberg, Bohe- mia.

Frank Leitelt, hardware merchant, No. 18 W. Bridge st., and son of Joseph and Barbara Leitelt, was born in Germany in 1827. In 1866 he came to this country, and directly to Grand Rapids, and worked at the machinist's trade 13 years, having learned it in Germany. In 1880 he opened his present store, where he keeps a full line of hardware, farming implements, etc. He carries a stock of $3,000, and does an annual business of $8,000. He was married in Germany, in 1853, to Caroline Worm. They have five children, born in the following order-Mina, Frank, Julia, Hetwig, and Josephine. Mr. Leitelt owns a house and lot, 452 Ottawa st., and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Henry Lemoin, Fire Marshal of Grand Rapids, was born in Summit Co., O., January, 1845. He is a son of Noah and Hannah (Shaw) Lemoin, natives of Ohio, of French descent. The former died when our subject was one year old, and, when 12 years of age, he engaged to work on a farm, attending the district school in winters. When 21 years of age, he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at that in Ohio until the fall of 1868, when he came to Grand Rapids. He followed his trade until 1874, when he en- tered the employ of Shriver, Weatherly & Co., as shipping clerk and collector, remaining in their service for five years. He was then elected by the Common Council as Chief Engineer of the Grand Rapids Fire Department, entering upon his official duties Sept. 7, 1880. The department under his charge is one of the best in the West, a great part of which is due to the attention given it by our subject since taking his office. Mr. Lemoin is a member of Valley City Lodge (Masonic), No. 86. He was married, May 20, 1874, to Hattie J. Finley, a native of Ada tp., Kent Co. They have one child-Roy. Mrs. Lemoin is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Ladd J. Lewis, junior member of Henry S. Smith & Co., manu- facturers of agricultural implements, wooden-ware, etc., Grand Rapids, was born at Orangeville, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Dec. 22, 1845. He was the third child and first son of John L. and Lois (Squier) Lewis, natives respectively of Rhode Island and New York. Mr. Lewis was raised on a farm, and received his early -

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education in the district schools of his native county. He subse- quently attended Genesee Seminary, situated at Alexander, N. Y., and subsequently taught school two or three winters, working on a farm during the summer. At 20 years of age, he entered Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he obtained a good practical education and graduated with honors in 1865. He first located at Clayville, Oneida Co., N. Y., where he was employed in a large agricultural implement house as shipping clerk and assistant bookkeeper for a term of three years. At the end of this time, he concluded to cast his fortunes in the growing West, and selected Grand Rapids as a locating point. Soon after arrival, he entered the employ of Henry S. Smith as bookkeeper, and remained in such position until 1873, when he purchased a quarter interest in the business of the firm. Mr. Lewis has always evinced a deep interest in educational matters, and in 1876, although having been a citizen of Grand Rapids but a short time, was elected a member of the School Board, serving as such for six years, and during 1879-'80 and 1880-'81, as its able and efficient President. He was married Sept. 22, 1870, to Alice M. Eldridge, a native of Warsaw, N. Y., and a daughter of Samuel and Samman- tha (Gill) Eldridge, natives of Vermont and New York. Of the four children sent to bless this union, three are living-Ladd J., jr., aged 10 years; Nellie L., aged five, and Alice Louise, aged three years. Helen L. died in 1875, aged three years. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the South Congregational Church, of this city, while Mr. L. is a regular attendant on the services of the Baptist Church. Mr. Lewis' parents are yet living in New York, as are also two brothers and two sisters. One brother, besides our sub- ject, resides in this city.

Byron F. Lockwood was born in Jackson county, May 22, 1850. His father, Reuben Lockwood, was a native of New York, and a farmer by occupation, who settled in Liberty, Jackson Co., at an early day, and died in 1854, leaving a wife and two children. His family remained in Liberty eight years after his death. When he arrived at the age of 13 years the farm was sold and they located in Ionia county, where he remained until 17 years of age. He ob- tained the rudiments of education in the district schools, and at the age named he entered the Union School at Portland, Mich., where he studied nearly two years. In 1868 he went to Al- bion College and remained there until he entered upon the study of law, in 1871, with Foot & Van Zile, a prominent law firm of Charlotte, Eaton Co., Mich., and soon after attended a course of lectures in the law department of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He was admitted to practice Aug. 15, 1872, and in the same year established an office at Big Rapids, where he followed his profession until 1874, when he came to Grand Rapids, and has since been actively and profitably engaged as an attorney, and in handling Eastern and Western capital.

A. B. Long, of A. B. Long & Son, lumber manufacturers, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., where he was reared and educated.

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When old enough he served an apprenticeship at the wagon- maker's trade. In 1858 he established an extensive lumber busi- ness at Osceola, Clearfield Co., Pa., under the firm name of A. B. Long & Son. This enterprise was discontinued in 1868, and the business was removed to Grand Rapids. Mr. Long owns exten- sive bituminous coal fields in Clearfield Co., Pa. Although 75 years of age, he is still strong and vigorous, and attends personally to his large business interests.

George H. Long, junior member of the firm of A. B. Long & Son, was born at Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Pa., Dec. 28, 1837. At the age of 11 years he was employed in a foundry, and learned that trade, which he worked at till 16 years of age. He then asso- ciated himself with his father in contract work on the Pennsylvania Central R. R., from Pittsburg to Philadelphia, remaining in that business till of age. Fron 11 to 21 years of age he attended school winters, thus obtaining a substantial education. Upon

reaching his majority, he entered into partnership with his father, which relationship has continued to the present time. In January, 1866, Mr. Long was married, at Osceola, Pa., to Kate E. Sheller, a resident of that place. They have six children. On May 4, 1871, Mr. Long removed his family to Grand Rapids, and now resides in a new, tasteful residence on Shelby st.

Livingston L. Loveridge. - Among the very youngest of the business men of Grand Rapids is Mr. Livingston L. Loveridge, of the firm of Fox, Musselman & Loveridge. Mr. Loveridge was born in Cuba, a small village in the western part of the State of New York, in 1855. In the fall of 1866 he moved with his parents to Coldwater, Mich., where he attended the Union schools, continu- ing his studies in this institution until 1871. While here he had decided upon following a business life, and to carry out that deter- mination, left the Coldwater schools and entered Deveaux College at Suspension Bridge, N. Y. He remained here for two years when he was called to occupy a position as teller in the banking house of Bower & Mc Gowan, at Coldwater, Mich. He continued in the employ of this house'for some three years, when he moved to Grand Rapids, to accept a similar position with Graff, Dennis & Co. He remained with this firm for one year, and then entered the wholesale grocery house of Fox, Shields & Co., where his present business relationship was formed. The firm of Fox, Mus- selman & Loveridge are the youngest wholesale grocery firm in the State. They have about $25,000 invested in their business, and although they have been in business scarcely a year they are al- ready doing a business of nearly $300,000 a year. They have re- cently removed from their old stand, No. 3 Ionia st., to their present quarters. Mr. Loveridge is the youngest member in the firm, and indeed the youngest man in the wholesale grocery busi- ness in Grand Rapids. He is an energetic and active business man, and stands very high among the young business men of Grand Rapids.

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

Thomas J. Lucas, retail dealer in boots and shoes, 83 Monroe st., was born at Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1833. He is a son of Seth and Betsey (Martin) Lucas, the former of whom was a native of Vermont, and died in 1873; the latter was born in On- tario Co., N. Y., and departed this life in 1852. When five years of age, Mr. Lucas accompanied his parents to Constantine, St. Joseph Co., Mich., where they remained two years, and then set- tled in Hillsdale county. Seven years later, they located in Alle- gan county, and Mr. Lucas obtained his early schooling in Byron and Gaines tps. When 20 years of age, he went to work on a farm, chopping 10 acres of heavy timber to pay his father for the years' services due the latter, before reaching his majority. Then hired out to work on a farm for Charles Kelley, of Gaines tp., at $10 per month. He went to Missouri, and after a winter there, returned to Michigan, and was employed in a saw-mill, by William T. Powers, for seven years. He had charge of C. C. Comstock's business for two years, and soon after formed a co-partnership with Benjamin Robertson, in the manufacture of coffins, the firm being the founders of that business in Kent county. In 1872 the factory was destroyed by fire. Mr. Lucas then bought out O. K. Pear- sall, his partner, and started the business alone. Soon after W. H. Walker and William T. Addis were admitted as partners, and the firm remained as Lucas, Walker & Co. for two years. Mr. Lucas then sold his interest, and the firm was subsequently organ- ized as a stock company under the name of the Grand Rapids Burial Case Co. On April 13, 1874, he purchased the interest of William Hess, of the firm of Woodard & Co., boot and shoe deal- ers. On April 17, 1876, he purchased Mr. Woodard's interest, and has since continued the business alone. Mr. Lucas is a member of the Masonic order, and the First Congregational Church. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Old Residents' Association. He was married in May, 1858, to Mary Davis, a native of Wayne Co., N. Y.

Charles A. Luce, groceryman, No. 46 Ottawa st., was born Sept. 27, 1854, in Grand Rapids; is son of Ransom C. and Sarah H. Luce. His parents settled here in 1841. He attended the com- mon schools of the city until 14 years of age and then spent a period of study in the Business College of Grand Rapids. He then clerked 18 months for Orson A. Ball. In 1876 he took a trip to Antwerp, Brussels, shipping before the mast, and was absent seven months. He reached Grand Rapids March 4, 1877; in the fall of the same year he again went to sea, shipped as a common seaman before the mast and went to Japan; the passage consumed five months, and he remained 10 weeks sailing for Calao, Peru; was on the coast one year when the Peruvian war broke out. Five of the boys with Mr. Luce ran away and were captured and im- prisoned three weeks. They got aboard their ship and coasted two months. July 5, 1879, they sailed for the Sabos de Afuera Tarve Islands, took on a load of guano, were 105 days loading, set out for Falmouth, England, for orders; went to Hamburg and

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discharged the cargo, when they returned to New York, and Mr. Luce reached Grand Rapids in February, 1830. In April follow- ing he opened a grocery at his present stand, where he carries a full line of all commodities incident to the grocery and provision trade. Oct. 3, 1881, removed to 46 Ottawa st., where he deals in groceries and wholesale commission business in all kinds of prod- uce. Mr. Luce was married June 29, 1880, to E!la F., daughter of Judge Hall, of Battle Creek, born there in 1852; they have one child-Ransom, born at Grand Rapids, April 19, 1881.

Fred D. Lyon, merchant tailor, 134 Monroe street, was born at Lyons, Mich., July 30, 1853. His grandfather, Truman H. Lyon, settled at this place in an early day, and the village was called by his name. Fred D. is a son of Darius B. Lyon, who was a conductor on the D. & M. railroad for many years. When the Re- bellion broke out, he enlisted in the 3d Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and served one year. Taking cold while sleeping in a swampy place, he was forced to resign, and came home only to fall a prey to the dreaded disease, consumption. He received all the attention and care that was possible, but his soul passed from earth soon after arrival home. Fred D. was reared at Grand Rapids, and educated in the public schools. When small he entered the Western Union Telegraph office as messenger boy, remaining there two years, and learning the business. He then went to Detroit, where he worked the same length of time, and returned to Grand Rapids. For three years he was chief operator in the office at the latter place. His mother married Carlos Burchard, a merchant tailor of Grand Rapids for 30 years. Mr. Lyon learned the tailor's trade with Mr. Burchard, and when the latter died, June 6, 1877, took charge of the business. He carries a large stock of fine imported woolens, and has the largest trade in the Grand River Valley. He was mar- ried May 2, 1876, to Florence May Graham, a native of Detroit. They have two children-Irene and Fred D., jr. Mr. Lyon and wife are members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He is con - nected with Grand River Lodge, No. 34, Masonic; is a member of the Chapter, and has lately become a Knight Templar. He is a veteran of the Grand Rapids Guards, and Democratic in politics.

James G. MacBride, of the firm of Nelson, Matter & Company, furniture manufacturers and dealers, Grand Rapids, is a native of Monroe, Mich., and was born Aug. 13, 1844. His father, James MacBride, emigrated from Fort Niagara to Detroit in an early day, and from Detroit to Monroe in 1833. His grandfather, whose name was also James, was a surgeon in the British regular army. Our subject was brought up and educated in his native town. In 1861 he entered the United States service in Co. D, 15th Mich. Vol. Inf. He was made Adjutant of his regiment soon after entering, and from that was promoted to Adjutant-General of the Brigade in May, 1862; and in 1863 was transferred to that of Captain of Co. D., of the 9th Mich. Cav. In 1864 he was promoted to Major of the same regiment. Mr. MacBride participated in the battles of Pitts-

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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 106

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