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 107

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 107

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

burg Landing, Corinth, Iuka, of the engagements in the Vicksburg campaign, before he was transferred; and afterward Knoxville, Cumberland Gap, siege of Atlanta, and accompanied Sherman on his memorable march to the sea. Mr. MacBride came to Grand Rapids in 1877. He was married in 1870 to Miss Annie, daughter of Captain A. D. Perkins, of Monroe, Mich. They have one son -Thomas.

Edgar A. Maher, attorney, was born in Covington, Wyoming Co., N. Y., June 25, 1850; is son of Ira and Clarissa (Blackmond) Maher, the former a native of the Empire State and a farmer by occupation; his mother was born in Connecticut. Mr. Maher at- tended the schools of his native town, Middlebury Academy at Wyoming, N. Y., and the Academic Institute at Leroy, N. Y. He began the study of law at Michigan University in October, 1873, and was admitted to practice upon examination before the Supreme Court at Lansing the following April. He came to Grand Rapids in October, 1874, where he has since pursued the practice of his profession.

L. D. Marvin, M.D., was born at Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1851; is son of Harvey and Amelia (Tallman) Marvin; the former was an old practitioner of Buffalo, and died in 1872; the latter resides with her son. Dr. Marvin was educated at Buffalo and Fredonia, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and in 1875 began the study of medicine with his brother, L. R. Marvin, of Muskegon; after a short time hermatriculated at Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago and graduated in 1878. After a brief practice with his brother at Mus- kegon, he came in '79 to Grand Rapids. Office, 29 Monroe street.

Alexander Matthewson, proprietor marble yard, Almy street, near Union Depot, was born in Scotland, Aug. 12, 1833. His parents were Farquahar and Mary(Mc Vicar) Matthewson, Highland Scotch. The former died when Mr. M. was three years old, the latter 10 years later. Our subject grew to manhood in his native country, and when 20 years of age came to America, locating at Brantford, Canada, and the following March at London, Canada. In August, 1854, he went to Detroit, Mich., where he learned the car-painter's trade. He next kept a boarding-house at Wyandotte, and in the winter of 1858-'9 chopped wood in the pine-lands of Canada. He then returned to Detroit, and soon after went to Woodstock, Canada, where he learned the marble and stone-cutter's trade, which busi- ness he has since followed. In 1873 he came to Grand Rapids, re- moving his family in 1875. A sketch of his business will be found in another chapter. Mr. Matthewson was married Sept. 15, 1864, to Jennie Johnston, a native of Woodstock, Canada. Six children have been sent to them-Rosanna I., Robert A., Frank F., Will- iam B. S., Charles W. and Mary Louisa. Mr. Matthewson. wife and daughter are members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Elias Matter, of the firm of Nelson, Matter & Co., Grand Rap- ids, was born in Dauphin Co., Pa., Oct. 6, 1833. His parents,

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Joseph and Catherine (Schupp) Matter, were also natives of Dau- phin county. Our subject is the sixth of 10 children. When he was eight years old his father died, and the farm was bought by his grand - father, Geo. Matter. For three years his mother remained on the place with the five youngest children, and then married Mr. Bly- ston, a neighboring farmer. At 11 years of age Elias Matter en- gaged to work a year on a farm for his board and clothes and three months' schooling in the winter. From 1850 to 1853 he served an ap- prenticeship with Philip Bowman at the chair and cabinet-maker's trade, in Uniontown, Dauphin Co., Pa. He was then employed as a clerk for two years in a general store in Uniontown. In Feb- ruary, 1855, he went to Rochester, N. Y., where he worked in the chair factory of Gideon Leavenworth until the following Septem- ber, when he came to Grand Rapids .and clerked in the boot and shoe store of Samuel Green, where he remained until the spring of 1857. He then attended school three months, and taught during the winter and also the following winter. In 1859 he entered the employ of C. C. Comstock, a furniture manufacturer of Grand Rapids, where he worked at piece-work for about six months, and then became foreman. In the fall of 1862 he left the employ of Mr. Comstock and formed a partnership with Julius Berkey for the purpose of manufacturing furniture. They carried on an ex- clusive wholesale business. In October, 1863, they sold a share to Wm. A. Berkey, and in February, 1870, Mr. Matter sold his inter- est to his partners. He then, in April of the same year, pur- chased the interest of T. A. Comstock in the firm of Nelson, Com- stock & Co., which firm name then became Nelson, Matter & Co., which is now the largest manufacturing company in Grand Rapids. Mr. Matter is a member of the Commandery, also a member of the Independent . Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Encampment. His family attend the Congregational Church, of which Church Mrs. Matter is a member. He was married Aug. 17, 1858, to Miss Anna Toot, eldest daughter of Adam Toot, a farmer of Irving, Barry Co., Michigan. They have had nine children, of whom three sons and two daughters are living.

Moses May was born in Billigheim, Baden, Germany, June 15, 1840. He came to America, aud settled at Adrian, Mich., in September, 1854, where he was engaged in a clothing house as clerk. In 1856 he went to Kalamazoo, and three years later returned to Adrian, and engaged in business for himself. He sold out in 1865, went to the City of New York, and embarked in jobbing trans- actions in gents' furnishing goods, at 110 Chambers st. In 1867 he came to Grand Rapids, and bought a half interest in the estab- lished clothing house of Julius and Joseph Houseman. He was married June 17, 1868, to Helen Harman, of New York. They have one daughter-Tilly, born Feb. 26, 1872.

George R. Mayhew, retail dealer in fine boots and shoes, 86 Monroe st., was born at South Abington, near Boston, Mass., in July, 1850. He is a son of Abijah J. Mayhew, who was a manu-

Albert & Stonebreaker

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

facturer of boots and shoes previous to the war. In 1861, at the commencement of the great Rebellion, and when 11 years of age, the subject of this sketch accompanied his father to Washington, D. C., and remained with him there in business until when both came to this city. A. J. Mayhew formed a partnership with R. B. Loomis in the boot and shoe trade, and our subject remained in their employ until he accepted a position as traveling salesman for Edwin C. Burt, of New York. He was engaged with this and other leading boot and shoe manufacturers for some years, and, in October, 1878, purchased the stock and trade of T. M. McCord, who had been a leading boot and shoe dealer of Grand Rapids for over 10 years. Having been reared in this business, and made it a life work, he was soon able to stock his store with as fine an assortment of boots and shoes as was ever offered to the people of Kent county. During the years he has been engaged in business, his genial and courteous deportment, coupled with a characteristic energy and perseverance, has won for him the esteem and good will of the better class of citizens of the Grand River Valley. Mr. Mayhew is the sole agent of the celebrated Edwin C. Burt, Burt & Mears, and Burt & Packard shoes in Grand Rapids, which affords him large and steadily increasing sales. He was married at Boston, Mass., in 1878, and one child has been given to bless this union.

Fred A. Maynard, Prosecuting Attorney, was born at Ann Arbor, Jan. 20, 1852. His parents, John W. and Mary J. (Willcoxson) May- nard, settled in Washtenaw county in 1824. The former was born in Massachusetts, the latter in New York. Of their five children, Mr. Maynard, of this sketch, was the youngest. He received the rudi- ments of his education at the ward schools of his native city, and in 1870 entered the literary department of the University and grad- uated in the classical course in 1874. In the fall of the same year he began his preparatory course of study in the law department of the University, completed office study with Henry M. Cheever of Detroit, and was admitted to the bar May 27, 1875. He graduated in his University course in March, 1876. He came to this city in December following, and was in the office of Taggart, Simonds & Fletcher, attorneys, and remained with them until Jan. 1, 1877, when he accepted a position as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with Captain S. H. Ballard. The copartnership of Ballard & Maynard continued until Jan. 1, 1880. He practiced his profession singly until Jan. 1, 1881, when he formed a business relation with Geo. P. Wanty (firm name Maynard & Wanty). He was nominated on the Republican ticket July 28, 1880, for Prosecuting Attorney and was elected in November following. He was married Oct. 24, 1878, to Charlotte B., youngest daughter of James N. Nelson of this city. They have one daughter.

Peter Mc Callum, of James Dolbee & Co., funeral directors and proprietors of the Grand Rapids Cloth Casket Co., was born near Pontiac, Oakland Co., Mich., Aug. 11, 1853. His parents were

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Archibald and Mary (Taylor) Mc Callum, Highland Scotch, who came to this country many years ago. The latter died in 1866, and the former in 1872. Mr. Mc Callum was reared on a farm in Oak- land county, attending the district schools, and subsequently the Grand Rapids Commercial College, where he obtained a good busi- ness training. In 1878 he was employed as bookkeeper by the Grand Rapids Burial Case Co., and was the efficient Secretary and Treasurer when the business closed out. In April, 1881, Mr. Mc- Callum formed a co-partnership with James Dolbee, in his present business. The firm enjoys a good trade, and finds a ready sale for

all goods manufactured.

Mr. Mc Callum is a member of the Re-

publican party. He was married in November, 1880, to Jennie Shafer, a native of Paris tp., and a resident of Grand Rapids.

Gilbert M. Mc Cray, foreman of the Valley City Iron Works, was born at Skaneateles, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1826, and is a son of James and Jane (Marshall) Mc Cray. He attended the schools of his native State, and in July, 1838, accompanied his parents to Grandville, Mich., where his father erected a foundry, machine shop and flouring mill. When quite young, Mr. Mc Cray learned the machinist's trade with his father, and removed with parents to Grand Rapids in the winter of 1843-'4. His father admitted Daniel Ball as a partner in the business, and when the former died, 1851, Mr. Ball and the two sons, Stewart B. and our subject, took charge of the business, the firm name remaining Mc Cray & Ball. In 1854 the brothers sold out to Mr. Ball, and soon after erected a large machine shop on Erie st., where they remained a short time. After two or three removals the stock and trade was purchased by the Leitelt Bros. Mr. Mc Cray has always taken an active interest in politics, and in the spring of 1858 was elected Mayor of Grand Rapids on the Democratic ticket, serving in that capacity one year. He was married Oct. 6, 1877, to Abbie O. Emery, a native of Grandville, and a daughter of Nathan and Mary (Arnold) Emery. Mrs. Mc Cray is a member of the Episcopal Church.

Wm. I. Mc Gurrin , of the firm of Sproul & Mc Gurrin, son of Manius and Ellen (Malone) Mc Gurrin, was born in Grand Rapids Feb. 16,1857. He obtained his education at the common school, and at 17 engaged as clerk in a grocery with Calkins Bros. a year, and afterwards served an apprenticeship of two and one half years with Thomas Smith & Co., plumbers and gas-fitters, No. 126 Monroe st .; at the end of that period he formed a partnership with Robert Sproul and they established their business at No. 6 Monroe st., un- der Mills & Lacy's drug store; a short time after they removed to 126 Monroe st., and in April, 1879, came to their present place where they keepall sorts of heaters, hot-air furnaces, steam boilers, ventilators, registers and full lines of plumber's fixtures; their stock being worth about $5,000; they do an annual business of $20,000. He was married May 5, 1881, to Kittie, daughter of Jeremiah and Kate Ryan, born in 1858 in Croton, Mich. Mr. Mc Gurrin is a member of the Grand Rapids Guards, also belongs to the " Mo- zarts."

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

Rev. Patrick Joseph Mc Manus, Priest of St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, corner Oak and Sheldon sts., Grand Rapids, was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, Dec. 23, 1840. When 12 years of age he accompanied a friend to America, locating at New York city, where he attended the Jesuit College. He subsequently went to Bardstown, Ky., where he spent six years in St. Thomas' Semi- nary. He finished his studies at Montreal, in a three-years course, and was ordained Priest June 6, 1865. His first charge was at Grattan, Mich., where he remained six years. In November, 1871, he was appointed to the congregation at Grand Rapids, and then went to Europe, returning the April following, and assuming his duties. In 1873 St. Andrew's Parochial School was erected, under his charge. The corner-stone of that fine edifice, St. Andrew's church, was laid in 1875, and the building was dedicated Dec. 17, 1876. The cost of the building was $73,000. The communicants number over 4,000. Rev. Mc Manus is a man of genial spirit and courteous manner, and is well respected by all who know him.

Daniel Mc Naughton, book-keeper of the Grand Rapids Manu- facturing Company, was born in Hillsdale Co., Mich., July 1, 1837. When two years of age, his parents, Alexander and Margaret (Mc- Farland) McNaughton, natives of Scotland, removed to Plainfield tp., Kent Co., where Daniel was reared to manhood. He worked on a farm, and obtained his literary education in the Grand Rapids High School, subsequently teaching school for three years. When the war commenced, he enlisted in the 7th Mich. Cav., which was attached to the Michigan Cavalry Brigade (Custer's), in the Army of the Potomac. The 7th was, at different times, under the com- mand of Grant and Sheridan, and when the war closed was sent to the Rocky Mountains to protect the settlers and guard the mails from attack by hostile Indians. After being discharged, Mr. Mc- Naughton came back to Grand Rapids and engaged in the grocery business on Monroe street, and three years later entered upon the duties of County Clerk, being re-elected in 1870. In April, 1871, he resigned his position, and went to Chicago to engage in the real- estate business, but the fire of Oct. 9, that same year, destroyed all his property. He returned to Grand Rapids, and for two years was engaged in real estate. He then purchased an interest in the firm of Spalding, Kleinhans & Company, furniture dealers. Three years later, March, 1881, he accepted his present position. Mr. McNaughton is a member of the Masonic order. He was united in marriage July 2, 1867, to Grace M. Godwin, of Chicago, a daughter of Henry M. and Mary T. (Brown) Godwin, the former an old pioneer of Kent county. They have one child-Mabel Mary.

James A. McPherson, M. D., was born in Upper Canada, March 26, 1849; is son of William and Tryphena (Kelley) McPherson; the former was a native of Scotland and an early settler in Ontario, Canada; the latter was born in Canada, of Irish parentage. They died when the Doctor was nine years old, and he maintained him-

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self working on a farm until the age of 17. He had obtained a fair degree of education by attending school winters, and he found employment in a drug-store in Canada, where he remained a year and a half, studying medicine meanwhile. In 1869-'70 he attended lect- ures at the University of Michigan; came to Grand Rapids and entered the drug-store of E. B. Escott as clerk, and 18 months af- terward went to the Medical College of Detroit, acting at the same time as Assistant in the Marine Hospital. He took his degree March 20, 1872, and began practice at Dearborn, returning a month later to Grand Rapids. He soon after formed a partnership with Dr. J. F. Grove, which relation existed one year. Dr. Mc- Pherson has since practiced his profession alone, and enjoys a steadily-increasing and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Grand Rapids, Northwestern and State Medical societies. He was married Dec. 25, 1873, to Gertrude Long, of this city, who died May 13, 1876. The Doctor was again married, Feb. 1, 1878, to Jessie A. Long, sister of his former wife; they have one son- Alexander G., born in this city May 23, 1880.

Arthur Meigs, groceryman, 55 and 57 Canal street, was born at Stanbridge, Missisquoi, Pro. of Quebec, Canada, in 1846. His pa- rents. Daniel and Caroline (Laselle) Meigs, were natives of Franklin Co., Vt .; his father was born in 1801, his mother in 1804. At about the age of 17 he became clerk in a country store. In Jan- uary, 1866, he came to Grand Rapids, and entered the employ of D. W. Bryan, in the real estate business, as general manager of transactions. After two years he engaged with D. B. Comstock, on Canal street, in wholesale grocery business; 18 months after he sold out to his partner and returned to his former employ. In the summer of 1871 he engaged in the Yankee notion business, run- ning a wholesale wagon. He sold out to D. C. Bishop, and en- gaged as traveling salesman for E. Plumb, Sons & Company, and four years later, in November, 1876, bought out the jobbing branch of their business in teas, spices and tobacco, located at No. 8 Pearl street. He moved to 14 Pearl street. He continued his business there until June, 1879, when he formed a partnership with William Dunham, of Manistee, as special partner, firm known as Arthur Meigs & Co. In December, 1880, they removed to their present stand; they keep a full line of groceries, stock of $40,000 to $50,- 000, annual business amounting to $500,000. Mr. Meigs owns a house, and lots 22 and 24 Waterloo street; also his residence at 141 Lyon street. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Valley City Lodge, No. 86, also Grand Royal Chapter, De Molai Com- mandery, No. 5, and De Witt Clinton Consistory, Scottish rite. He was married in Wyoming, Kent Co., Nov. 25, 1869, to Charlotte, daughter of William R. and Caroline (Harlow) Godwin, born in that tp. in 1848; they have three children, born at Grand Rapids as follows: Louise C., Sept. 27, 1870; Gerda E., April 7, 1878, and Delia G., March 6, 1880.

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

J. M. Metheany, Superintendent of the Northern Division of the G. R. & I. R. R., residence Grand Rapids, was born in Allen Co., Ohio, in 1839. He is the second of 12 children, 11 of whom are living, and five being engaged in " railroading." His father, R. R. Metheany, was a pioneer railroad man of the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. Our subject attended the public schools when young, but when 12 years of age entered a general store as clerk, remaining in such position seven years. He then learned telegraphy at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and soon after took charge of the office at Lima, Ohio, on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. He subsequently entered the Superintend- ent's office at Fort Wayne, as operator, and was finally promoted as Train Dispatcher and Master of Transportation. He was afterward appointed Superintendent of the Southern Division of the G. R. & I. R. R., with headquarters at Ft. Wayne, Ind., but in May, 1876, was given, charge of the Northern Division, with office at Grand Rapids. Mr. Metheany is also President of the Bay View & Crooked Lake R. R. Co., a short line from Petoskey north.

John T. Miller, attorney at law, was born at Torringford, Conn., Oct. 28, 1832. He left home at 16 years of age to attend school at East Hampton, Mass. There he prepared for college and entered. Yale, from which well-known institution he graduated in 1854. He afterward came West and taught school at Richland, Kalamazoo Co., Mich., for two years. He then came to Kent county in the fall of 1858, and entered the law office of Withey & Gray. He con- tinued the study of law until admitted to the bar of Kent county, in March, 1859. He then commenced practice, and had associated with him as partners William Ashby and James B. Wilson until 1870, and since that time has practiced alone. He married Miss Sarah E. Wykes, of Grand Rapids, May 26, 1875, and they have one daughter, Anna W.

Loomis A. Miller, attorney, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., March 7, 1843. His ancestors were Puritans and came here from England. His father, Ashur Miller, was a farmer and a native of Massachusetts; was educated for a physician, but never practiced. Mr. Miller is one of a family of two sons and three daughters. His only brother, Charles E., died in Ottawa county. His father settled in New York and in 1853 came thence to Tallmadge, Ottawa Co., and located on a farm of 80 acres, which he developed from the forest. Mr. Miller was about 10 years old and found much enjoy- ment in " roughing " it as a pioneer. Game was plenty and he be- came an expert in rifle practice and made many a good shot at a deer on the run. He went to school in his native county in New York, but from the time he was 10 years of age until he was 22, he remained at home and assisted in clearing and improving the home- stead. When this duty was discharged he went to school, first to the district school at Tallmadge, and afterward to Prof. Everett's select school at Grand Rapids. In December, 1868, he entered the law office of John T. Holmes, of Grand Rapids, and read for his profession until June, 1871. December 28, 1870, he was ad-

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

mitted, on examination, to practice in the Circuit Courts, and Su- preme Court of the State of Michigan. He was examined before the United States Court, April 8, 1871, and admitted to practice in the District and Circuit Courts of the United States. He opened an office at Holland, Ottawa Co., in the latter part of June, 1871, and lost his office and library in the fire of October 7, when the city was burned. October 10 he came to Grand Rapids and estab- lished himself on Canal street. He formed a partnership with Peter O. Voorhies, in June, 1874, locating at 26 Canal street, under the style of Miller & Voorhies. Jan. 20, 1881, the connection ter- minated, and he continues his practice singly. He was married Oct. 7, 1875, to Libbie J. Hyde, of Grand Rapids; they have twin children-Evelyn L. and Fannie E.

Samuel Miller, one of the early residents of Grand Rapids city, was born Jan. 25, 1818, at Harrisburg, Pa. His father, Henry, was of German descent, and also a native of Pennsylvania. By trade he was a wheelwright, and later made farming his business. He reared a family of seven children. Samuel is the eldest, and when five years of age his parents moved to Monroe Co., N. Y., and located near Rochester, on a piece of wild land heavily tim- bered. This they developed into a good farm which made for them a comfortable home. The country at that time afforded slim school advantages, and Samuel, with his younger brothers and sister, gained their schooling by hard study under most unfavora- ble circumstances. The parents both lived on the homestead until their death, the father's occurring in June, 1865, and the mother's two years later, the same month of the year. Samuel remained at home until 24 years of age. In the year 1842 he made a prospect- ive trip West, but returned home after an eight months' absence, during which time he spent a few months in Cass county, at Adamsville, where he acquired the cooper's trade. Upon his return home he pursued farming for about eight years in Monroe county, and in 1849 sold out and engaged in the mercantile trade at Church- ville, same county. He disposed of his stock and came to Grand Rapids in 1854. Upon his arrival he engaged in a dry-goods store as salesman, and soon commenced barter in real estate loans, etc. In 1861, with the general depression of business at that time, he suffered severe losses to the extent that he was compelled to com- mence at the foot of the ladder once more and work his way up- ward, which he did with renewed energy. He soon found himself again in business. He entered the produce commission and lumberman's supplies trade, which he followed with success for about 11 years, when he sold out and put his money into West Bridge street real estate, which was, burned over in the notable fire of 1875, destroying many good buildings which were insured for small amounts. He soon erected a new brick structure upon the burnt district, and now owns a fine brick block, being Nos. 38, 40 and 42 West Bridge street, corner of Court. He has been closely identified with the business development of Grand Rapids city since his ad-

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

vent to the State, and as a pioneer justly merits mention in a his- tory of Kent county.

Chas. W. Mills, druggist, was born Ang. 31, 1850, at Grand Rapids; is son of Warren P. and Alice W. Mills, old settlers of Kent county. He attended the public schools of the city, and in 1869 entered the University at Ann Arbor, and in 1871 graduated from the pharmacy department. In 1873 he embarked in the drug business in partnership with James D. Lacey. Their establish - ment is at No. 8 Canal street, where they handle full lines of all classes of goods common to their business, and are ranked among the leading commercial houses of the city. Mr. Mills is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, and is a regular attendant on the services of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He owns a third-inter- est in the Spa Bottling Works, and is Vice-President of the Mills & Lacey M'f'g Co .; has been very successful in business, and is well respected by all with whom he is acquainted.

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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 107

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