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 113

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 113

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

V. Harrington

1129

GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

14th Michigan defended Jackson Crossing until the entire army crossed the Tennessee on the retreat to Nashville. Arriving at Athens, Ala., Gen. Palmer, of Illinois, assumed command; their courier with dispatches was captured, and being without means of communication they retreated to Nashville, arriving in five days and remaining during the siege. On this march from Athens to Nashville, Col. Sinclair narrowly escaped with his life from an encounter with rebel cavalry under Gen. Roddy, while trying to save a wagon. Gen. Rosecrans was soon after put in command of the army, and the regiment was engaged at Lavergne, Stone river, etc. Col. Sinclair resigned his commission in the fall of 1863 be-

cause of ill health, and returned to Grand Rapids, where he slowly recuperated. He was appointed Revenue Co'lector of the Fourth

District of Michigan, which position he held until the following spring, when the Senate refused to confirm the appointment of President Johnson. He engaged successfully in real estate and the practice of his profession. He was elected Judge of Probate in 1852, and his popularity was attested by renomination on the Democratic ticket in'56 and '60. He was unsuccessful, owing to the accession to power of the Republican party. He was married at Grand Rapids Sept. 17, 1850, to Julia H., daughter of Benjamin Allyn, formerly of Amherst, Mass. The marriage service was performed by Rev. Dr. Cummings, Rector of St. Mark's Church. Col. Sinclair is a gentleman of culture and of varied abilities; his history gives evidence of the warmth and zeal with which he has discharged his public obligations in all capacities, and he has ad- ded largely to the prosperity and improvement of the city which is his home.

Mitchell J. Smiley, born at South Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., May 2, 1841. Although not a pioneer of Kent county, he has been a resident of the Peninsular State since 10 years of age, and a prominent member of the bar for the past 19 years, having been admitted May 24, 1862, in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co. Mr. Smiley's father, Mitchell S., was a farmer by occupation, and a native of the State of Maryland. He moved from there to Van Buren Co., Mich., in 1851, and settled on a farm; and here Mitchell J. spent a portion of his boyhood and youth, attending school winters only, until 1858, when he entered Kalamazoo College, and there pursued his studies, and a portion of each year taught school, until the year 1860. He then commenced the study of law with Bach & De Yoe, at that time one of the leading law firms of Kalamazoo county. He remained with this firm until his admission to the bar, and, in 1863, commenced the practice of his profession. He, however, soon formed a partnership with Nathaniel A. Balch, his former tutor, and shortly after Mr. Balch's son. Walter O., was admitted to the firm, which did a lucrative business under the firm name of Balch, Smiley & Balch. Mr. Smiley's connection with this firm was sev- ered in 1872, when, by request, he came to Grand Rapids, and became a party to the organization of the present firm of Hughes

1130

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

O. Brien & Smiley. It is hardly necessary to state that Mr. Smiley's law practice has been successful, as the position he occu- pies, and his standing in the bar of his county and State, is a suffi- cient index, and, from the New York Daily Graphic of Dec. 26, 1878, in an ably prepared article, entitled " The Bench and Bar of Michigan," we quote the following: "Mitchell J. Smiley, of the firm of Hughes, O'Brien & Smiley, though a young member of the bar, has distinguished himself as a trial lawyer. He is a hard student, prepares his cases thoroughly, and manages them with much skill and wisdom." In politics, Mr. Smiley is a Democrat, and popular with his party. While a resident of Kalamazoo county he was twice made a candidate for Representative in the State Legislature, but, as his district was strongly Republican, he was defeated. In the spring of 1880 he made a close run for Mayor of the city of Grand Rapids, and was defeated by a majority of only 50 votes. In August, 1874, he married Miss Florence M. Fitts, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. They have one son-Edmund P., born August 29. 1876.

A. Hosford Smith, Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue for the 4th District of Michigan, residence Grand Rapids, was born at Berlin, Conn., May 30, 1812. His parents were Walter D. and Hetty (Hosford) Smith. natives of the Nutmeg State. Mr. Smith spent his early boyhood on a farm, and, when 10 years of age, went to Hartford, Conn .; with his parents, and was there educated in the public schools. In December, 1835, in company with his brother and two others, he came to Michigan to assist his brother in settling up some business at Grand Rapids. After having trans- acted the business assigned to him, Mr. Smith was well pleased with the future "Pittsburgh of the West," and foresaw a great and noted future for the embryo city. He therefore decided to locate, and, to that end, he purchased a stock of goods, and opened a general store on the site where Waterloo st. crosses the G. R. & I. R. R. track. Here he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for three years. In 1856 he was in the employ of Wm. T. Powers, who was engaged in the manufacture of furniture and lumber, as bookkeeper, and remained two years; was, in 1861, appointed a Supervisor to fill vacancy, in place of E. T. Nelson, who had left for the seat of war. On the 2d day of September, 1862, he was appointed by the lamented Lincoln Assistant Assessor for the 4th District of Michigan, and served in that capacity until the office of Assessor of District was abolished, May 30, 1873, at which date he was appointed Deputy Collector in Charge, by S. S. Bailey; Collector of 4th District of Michigan, and is now in that capacity; consequently has been in this continuous service. At the end of that time, in 1839, he engaged in the mercantile business on Canal st., as bookkeeper for Granger & Ball, remaining during 1839 and 1840; then engaged with Henry. R. Williams as bookkeeper in the plaster and transportation business on Grand river; he served with said Williams for 13 years, until his death in 1853, and then set-

1131

GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

tled up his estate. During the time he was in said Williams' employ he was, on the Whig ticket, elected Register of Deeds for Kent county, which was then overwhelmingly Democratic, and, in 1850, had charge of steamer " Algoma " on Grand river. After his service with H. R. Williams, he accepted the position as clerk of the Michigan Legislature, serving as such two winter terms. At an early day he served as Town Clerk, and as second clerk of Grand Rapids city. In 1855 he was employed in the Olive Branch office as bookkeeper 19 years. Mr. Smith is an honored pioneer of Kent county, and the record of his life deserves a place in the annals of pioneer history. He is a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, as is also his wife and daughter. He was vestryman and clerk of the vestry for 17 years. He is also connected with the Young Men's Republican Association of Grand Rapids. Mr. Sinith was married, in 1839, to Mary Nelson, sister to Ezra T. and James M. Nelson, of Nelson, Matter & Co. They have four chil- dren-Walter D., with E. S. Pierce; Martha N., wife of Robert Bayless, President of the Market National Bank, of New York city, residing at Englewood, N. J .; Elizabeth and Frederick H., the latter salesman with Nelson, Matter & Co. In 1836 Mr. Smith, in connection with his brother, Andrew A., started the first Sunday-school in Grand Rapids. The scholars met in the room over Mr. Smith's store, and the school finally blossomed into the First Congregational Society of Grand Rapids, and is now one of the most flourishing in the city.

Henry S. Smith, of H. S. Smith & Co., manufacturers, was born at Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Nov. 11, 1820. He is a son of Solomon Smith, an old and honored resident of that portion of the State. When seven years of age, Mr. Smith's parents removed to Cassville, Oneida Co., N. Y., where he remained, engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, until 1858. He then came to. Grand Rapids, and in connection with T. P. Gallup, engaged in the manufacture of soap, remaining in the business but a short time. In 1860 he commenced to manufacture saleratus, and the business, though necessarily small at first, has rapidly increased until at the present time the firm supply a good part of the Michigan trade in that article. A few years after starting in business, Mr. Smith started the manufacture of wooden-ware, etc., and in -- , Ladd J. Lewis, formerly of New York, was admitted to the firm as a partner, the firm name being changed to H. S. Smith & Co. A notice of the immense business being carried on by this firm will be found in the section on manufacturing industries. Mr. Smith was married at Cassville, N. Y., to Lucia Burchard, by whom he has no living children .. His devoted wife passed to her final rest March 29, 1865, and on May 3, 1867, he married Hannah M. Simms. Two children are the fruits of this union-Mary M., aged 13, and Sarah K., aged 10 years. Mr. Smith suffered the loss of his second helpmate, Jan. 11, 1873, and on Sept. 24, 1879, he was joined in the bonds of holy wedlock, to Helen M. Griffith,

1132

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

of Evanston, Ill. Henry S. Smith was the youngest of a family of six children, two of whom survive-Rev. Charles B. and our subject. He received but limited educational advantages, and the path of life has proven to be rugged and full of thorns. Mr. Smith was the first merchant of Grand Rapids to place a traveling sales- man on the road In early life he made political economy a life study, and has always taken a more than usual interest in the wel- fare of his native country. I While a resident of New York, he was made a Justice of the Peace, and subsequently Captain of a com- pany of State Militia. Since his residence in Grand Rapids he has served as Alderman one term, and became identified with the interests of the National .Greenback party. In the spring of 1878 he was elected as Mayor of the city, onl that ticket, serving one year, and being triumphantly re-elected in 1880. In 1878, at the State Convention, he received the unanimous vote of the party for nomination as candidate for Governor, but the party being largely in the minority, suffered alparty defeat. In 1881 he was chairman of the Michigan delegation to the National Greenback Convention that nominated Gen. James B .: Weaver for President of the United States. Benevolence formsla characteristic feature of Mr. Smith's life, and he has given largely of his means to the different benevo- lent, religious and charitable institutions of the city. He is a con- sistent:member of the First Congregational Church, and contributed liberally toward the construction of that noble edifice.

Rev. J. Morgan Smith, Pastor of the First Congregational Church, was born at Great Falls, N. H., April 26, 1833. When 12 years of age, he went to the old Hopkins Grammar School, in Hartford, where he spent five years, preparing for Yale College. He entered the freshman class in 1850, and was fortunate in _becoming acquainted with Thomas K. Beecher, of Elmira, N. Y., then principali of the High School at Hartford. He spent much time in the study of poetry, which has left a visible impress on his sentiments. He graduated in 1854, among the first 10 in his-class. Upon leaving college, he went to Elmira, N. Y., where, for six months, he taught private classes in the higher branches of learning. He spent a year and a half in Wisconsin, (and at the end of that time went to Andover, Mass., to/ study the- ology. 1.He was averse to the theological spirit which prevailed, and, for four years, earnestly and untiringly sought a better way. Immediately after leaving Andover he took charge of a small church at West Ayon, Hartford Co., Conn., where he remained three years. He then spent a year in reading, irregular preach- ing, and visiting the army with supplies for the sick .. Upon an invitation from the New England Church, of Chicago, he went there to supply its pulpit for seven weeks, after which, among severaltealls, he chose that from the First Congregational Church, of Grand Rapids, where he has since remained. He has sough to preach the truth reasonably and lovingly, and his work has grown around him. In August, 1859, Mr. Smith was married

GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

1133

to Cordelia B. Root, of Middletown, Conn. They have five chil- dren.

James L. Smith was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., July 18, 1841; is only son of Nicholas R. Smith, a native of New Jersey. His father died near Hamilton, Ont., at the age of 39 years, leaving a wife, one son and three daughters; two of the latter survive. His mother married Henry K. Crissman, now of Plain- field, and in 1854 they came to Ada tp. Mr. Smith received his early education in Plainfield; worked for his board with Mr. Philo Brownell, a pioneer of that tp., and afterward attended the Bed- ford Institute in Calhoun county; also the Michigan Union at Leoni, Jackson Co., and on its removal to Adrian attended there. In the winter of '59-'60 he went to the Military School at Albany; engaged the next spring with a wholesale grocery house of New York as salesman, bookkeeper and cashier; remained until April, 1861, and enlisted April 17, the same year, in the 8th N. Y. Militia; was commissioned Captain of Co. D, 47th N. Y. Reg., in July; served in North Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida; was transferred to the 10th Mich. Cavalry June 16, 1863, and served in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. He re- signed in December, 1864, and returned to Jackson county. Dur- ing his period of service he was married to Mary E. Miller, of Leoni. In December, 1865, he went to Cincinnati and formed a partnership with Gen. W. B. Way, of Pontiac, in a wholesale commission business, under the firm name of J. L. Smith & Co. The relation existed until June, 1867, when he located at Rock- ford. In 1870 he engaged in the hotel and livery business and ran a stage line to Grandville; continued three years. Since that period he has acted as Justice of the Peace of Plainfield and Superintendent of Schools of Rockford two years ('80 and '81) and is at present in charge of the office of the Spiral Spring Buggy Co., Chas. Cummings, East Bridge st.

Newton T. Smith, Inspector of Public Works, was born in Barry, Orleans Co., N. Y., April 2, 1823. He came to Mich- igan in 1833. His father, Hiram Smith, was a tailor and pursued his vocation in Orleans county until his death in 1829. Mr. Smith's mother accompanied him to Michigan and died at his brother's residence in February, 1878, in the ninetieth year of her age. She was the mother of 12 children, 10 of whom reached mature age. Three of them live in Michigan, one in New York and one in Kansas. Mr. Smith served an apprenticeship of seven years in the bakery business in Orleans county, and worked at coopering three years in this State; during the past 20 years has been chiefly engaged in surveying and operating as a civil engineer. He has been acting for three years as Inspector of Public Works. He was married in 1847, to Nancy Hines; she died in 1857, leaving one child, Adella, now Mrs. O. I. Taylor, of Grand Rapids. Mr. Smith was again married in 1859, to Sylvia · Farnham.

1134

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Reuben H. Smith, Secretary of the Old Residents' Associa- tion of the Grand River Valley, son of David D. and Althea (Preston) Smith, was born Sept. 7, 1816, and reared to the age of 22 at Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., receiving there a common- school education. He came to Kent county and "took up " 160 acres of Government land in the tp., now called Bowne, on sec. 12, and was occupied 10 or 12 years in its improvement. In April, 1848, he was elected Supervisor of Caledonia, then including Bowne tp., and the same year was elected County Clerk, which position he held six years. He moved to Grand Rapids in January, 1849, and in 1855 he located on a farm of 280 acres in Alpine, where he remained 14 years, acting one year as Supervisor of the tp. In 1869 he fixed his residence permanently at Grand Rapids. He was elected Superintendent of the Poor in November, 1874, and continued incumbent of the office until November, 1880. He was connected with the Board of Education from 1872 to 1876. Since 1859 he has been a member of the Old Residents' Associa- tion, and was elected its Secretary in January, 1875. He has been connected with the Odd Fellows since 1850. His residence is on the corner of Stocking and Seventh sts., where he has 15 acres. He was married Sept. 12, 1852, to A. Annette, daughter of Edson English, of Boston, Ionia Co. They have three children-Edson, born in November, 1853; Velma A. and Reuben S .. The first one married Miss Lizzie Lane, and resides in this city. The daughter, Velma, is now Mrs. Wm. B. Bernard, and resides on the homestead.

Frank J. Sokup, of S. J. Sokup & Co., cornice makers, was born in Bohemia, Austria, Jan. 29, 1857. When two years of age, his parents came to America, locating at New Orleans, and subse- quently at Chicago, where the subject of this sketch grew to man- hood. When 11 years of age, he entered the employ of Watson Clark, 145 E. Lake st., where he learned the tin and cornice-mak- ing trade, remaining with him four years. He then went to work for A. Knisely, 172 & 174 West Monroe st., where he remained five years. His next employer was R. L. Jones, who did business in Chicago, but resided at Milwaukee, Wis. In February, 1872, Mr. Sokup went to California, locating at San Francisco, where he took charge of the cornice trade owned and operated by John Kehoe. Four months later, he returned to Chicago and soon after came to Grand Rapids, where he has since resided. Mr. Sokup is a member of Valley City Lodge (Masonic) No. 86, and of the Demo- cratic party. He was married June 19, 1872, to Nettie C. Davis, a native of America. Of the four children given them, one is living -Daisy. Mrs. Sokup is a regular attendant on the services of the 2d Street M. E. Church (W. S.).

Robert Sproul, of the firm of Sproul & McGurrin, No. 151 Monroe st., son of William and Margaret (Wilson) Sproul, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March 3, 1850. He fitted for the business of a plumber in his native country, and in 1868 came to

1135

GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

the United States and entered employ in Detroit, coming to Grand Rapids in 1872, engaging with Thos. Smith & Co., 126 Monroe st., until they closed operations, when he formed his present busi- ness relation and began operations under Mill & Lacy's drug store on Canal st. Two months after they removed to 126 Monroe st. remaining until April, 1879, when they settled in their present quarters. Their stock includes plumbing, steam-heating fixtures, gas fixtures, furnaces, pumps, etc. He was married at Grand Rapids, Jan. 16, 1875, to Libbie A., daughter of James Muir ; they have two children-Helen L. and William W. He owns two lots on Division st., just outside the city limits.

George . G. Steketee, Mayor of the city of Grand Rapids, was born in the village of Barsselle, Holland, March 12, 1835. He is son of John and Maria Steketee. His parents came to America in 1847 and purchased a farm in Holland, Ottawa Co. In November, 1849, he came to this city and learned the tailor's trade ; in 1865 he embarked in a mercantile enterprise with his brother, Paul Steketee, which relation existed until 1868, and in 1869 he com- menced operations as a druggist at his present stand, where he erected a building for the purpose. He has become celebrated through his " Family Medicines," which are in extensive demand in the trade and are growing in popularity. His stock includes full lines of fresh drugs, fancy and toilet articles, etc. Mr. Steketee is a radical Republican and cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. In 1862 he was appointed Dep. Collector of U. S. Int. Rev. for Holland, Mich. ; he also served as Alderman of the First ward of that city. He was elected Collector of Taxes in Grand Rapids in 1859 and 1860; was elected Alderman of the Third ward in 1871 ; was re-elected in 1873 and again in 1876,

serving six years. In 1881 he was elected Mayor of the city by a majority of 181. His election was accomplished on the basis of morality and radical measures in the administration of municipal regulations. Mayor Steketee is eminently fitted for the difficult position of chief of so composite a community as Grand Rapids. He is never dilatory in his judgments, reads men and their motives with surprising celerity, and always respects the majesty of his official position. He is ever ready to attend personally to even the most insignificant matters that threaten the destruction of good order and infringes upon the privileges of the humblest citizenship. He is prompt and vigorous in the execution of his official preroga- tives and maintains a perfect understanding of his incumbent duties. In his various business ventures he has met with the prosperity and success always resulting from application and unswerving integrity. He is persistent, energetic, and in commercial matters has the repute of ability and square dealing. His private character is unblemished. He was married in 1855 to Hannah Eskes, a native of Holland ; she died in October, 1866, leaving four chil- dren-Albert E., Mary L., Reka P. and John. Mayor Steketee's second wife was Mrs. Lucy E. Brinkmann, a native of New York. They have two children-George E. and Leander W.

1136

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Paul Steketee, one of the thrifty merchants of Grand Rapids city, was born in Holland, Europe, Feb. 24, 1834. His father. John Steketee, came to America with a family of 11 children, and settled at Zeeland, Ottawa Co., on a farm. Paul was at that time 13 years of age, and his services were needed and made available un- til 1848, when he came to Grand Rapids and engaged in all kinds of labor and later in the employ of Jolin Kendall. In his newly chosen occupation he was successful and held his position there eight years. In 1862 he commenced business for himself in com- pany with John H. Doornink under the firm name of Doornink & Steketee, doing a prosperous dry-goods business. This firm contin- ned in business until August, 1872, when Mr. Steketee purchased his partner's interest in the business and removed the stock to Holland, this State, associating with him his brother Andrew. The firm of Paul & Andrew Steketee is still in trade at Holland and doing a thriving business. In May, 1878, Mr. Steketee, in partnership with his sons John J. and P. J., established their present business. They are located at the corner of Monroe and Ionia sts. Occupy the first and second floors and basement 22x100 feet. Carry a full and com - plete stock of general dry goods, employ 11 clerks. Mrs. Steketee has four sons-John J., Peter P., Paul James, Daniel, and one daughter, Nellie.

R. Humphrey Stevens, M. D., 129 Monroe st., was born at Mont- pelier, Vt., Jan. 18, 1853. He is a son of John and Elvira (Hnm- phrey)Stevens, natives of the Green Mountain State. His. father was a land broker, and after stopping at various points in the West, came to Grand Rapids in 1871, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. He attended the public schools, and after pass- ing a fitting examination taught school for two or three terms in the Union school (W. S.). In 1873 he entered the literary depart- ment of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he graduated with the class of 1877. IIe then entered the medical department and graduated with the class of 1878-'9. Soon after finishing his medical studies he came to Grand Rapids, and opened an office at his present location, where he has met with very grati- fying success. Dr. Stevens is a member of the Royal Templars, in which society he holds the position of Vice-Counselor and Examin- ing Physician. He was married May 19, 1880, to Lucretia Sey- mour, of Grand Rapids. They have one son-Carl. Mrs. Stevens is a consistent member of the First Congregational Church.

John R. Stewart, son of Leonard and Emily (Snell) Stewart, was born Jan. 6, 1820, in Clarendon, Rutland Co., Vt. When he was 12 years old his parents moved to Niagara Co., N. Y., where his father built a saw-mill and engaged in farming and lumbering. In 1844 he moved to Cascade, Kent Co., Mich., and in 1845 Mr. Stewart, of this sketch, married Sarah E., daughter of Caleb and Hannah Martin, born in 1824, in Vermont. They had six chil- dren, three of whom are living-Sarah E., Milo B. and Linna J. In the same year of his marriage he bought 120 acres on sec. 5;

1137

GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

cleared 60 acres. In 1854 he came to Grand Rapids and entered the employ of Foster & Perry, in the hardware business, where he remained six years. He was elected Register of Deeds, which po- sition he held three terms-the only incumbent of the office for so long a period. He bought a one-third interest in an agricultural enterprise and operated several years in the firm of Chubb, Stewart & Luther. In 1870 the Grand Rapids Mfg. Co. was formed, of which he was a member, and the concern operated with success; dissolved in 1877, when he and others organized a corporation under the same style, in which he is still concerned. In January, 1872, he bought a half interest in a grocery establishment at 120 Monroe st., with E. J. Horton, where they carry a stock worth about $5,000. In 1876 he was appointed Superintendent of the Government buildings of Grand Rapids, and built the postoffice and court-house, which occupied four years. His residence is at 25 Barclay st., where he owns two lots besides considerable other city property.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of 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 113

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