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 145

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 145

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).

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Rapids. Two or three years after he opened a wagon shop on Monroe st., and was burned out, and he worked as a journeyman until 1861, when he came to Walker, and settled on 40 acres on sec. 27, which he bought in 1845. He has 20 acres under culture. He was married in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Feb. 28, 1828, to Hester, daughter of Thomas and Susan Grey, born in New Jersey in 1803, and died Nov. 6, 1865. Of eight children born to them, four are living-Hester, Franklin G., Alice W. and Helen A. Another son, Abram, was a soldier in the civil war, and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He died in November, 1880. Mr. Martindale has held the office of Justice of the Peace seven years; was also Poor Master several years.

Franklin G. Martidale was married at Grand Rapids to Mary Patterson. They had one son, born nin Grand Rapids in 1858. Mr. Martindale was in the army during the war, and held the rank of Second Lieut., rising to that of Major. At the termination of the war he settled in North Carolina, where his wife died in 1867. He was elected State Senator of North Carolina, and did effective work for his constituency, securing an appropriation for a railroad, of which he was afterward a contractor, and instrumental in its completion.

Thomas R. Maynard (deceased), son of Almeron and Caroline (Rickey) Maynard, was born in Meredith, Delaware Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1831. He was married in Harpersfield, Delaware Co., Mar. 28, 1855, to Mary, daughter of Jeffrey C. and Ellis Champlin, born in Kingston, Ulster Co., N. Y., Apr. 30, 1829. They have two sons, born in Walker-Jeffrey C., May 19, 1857 ; and Jerome C., Mar. 12, 1859. They bought 60 acres on sec. 28, Walker tp., in 1858, and now own 180 acres on secs. 20 and 29, with 115 under improvement. Mr. Maynard was a charter member of Harmony Grange, and belonged to the M. E. Church ; was Treasurer three years. He died Sept. 15, 1877, and was buried in Fulton St. cemetery, at Grand Rapids.

William McNitt, son of Daniel and Jane (Moores) McNitt, was born in Brutus, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1823. His father was a native of New York, his mother of New Jersey. When he was 12 years old his parents moved to Seneca Co., Ohio, where they remained until the demise of the father. Mr. McNitt came west in 1849 and settled in Wright, Ottawa county, buying 80 acres on sec. 24, and now owns 180 acres, same section, with 105 acres in tillage. In 1868 he bought 30 acres on sec. 3, all improved. A saw-mill had been built on the place some years pre- vious by Joseph Bullen, which burned in 1877. Mr. McNitt rebuilt it with a flouring mill added. The latter has two run of stones and the proprietor has an annual trade of about 1,000 bushels, besides the custom trade, which is considera- ble. He was married in 1842, in Oakland county, to Sarah G. Hall, who died in 1853. Mr. McNitt was again married in Alpine in 1864, to Hannah M., daughter of Harvey and Hannah M. (Warner) Wilder, born in New York in 1831. They have four children, three of whom were born in Wright and one in Walker, as follows :- Walter, Apr. 8, 1857; Sarah E., May 19, 1859; William E., Jan. 29, 1863; and Nora M., May 19, 1868.

John S. Miller, son of Evi and Laura (Perkins) Miller, was born in Augusta, Oneida Co., N.Y., Jan. 22, 1812. His father was born in Massachusetts, his mother in Connecticut. His parents moved to Smithfield, Madison Co., N. Y., and at the age of 17, he learned the shoemakers' trade, which he pursued 20 years. He was married in Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., in 1842, to Eunice, daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Louk) Stebbins, born in Lebanon, Madison Co., in 1819. They have five children, one born in New York, and four in Kent county :- Evi T., Nov. 28. 1843; Mary F., May 27, 1848; Jasper J., Mar. 16, 1854; John E., May 13, 1858 ; and Estella L., Aug. 8, 1863. Mr. Miller has been Highway Commissioner several years, and belongs to the Masonic brotherhood. His grandfather was a patriot of the Revolution.

Edward Miner was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1825. His father, Asa B. Miner, was born in Connecticut in June. 1800, and owned a fine stock and dairy farm of 320 acres in Steuben county. His mother, Ruth (Cotton) Miner, was born in Connecticut in 1804. Mr. Miner learned the trade of carpenter, which he fol- lowed 25 years. He was married in Yates Co., N. Y., Nov. 27, 1846, to Ann E., daughter of William and Rachel Keech, born in Yates county, June 15, 1826. Three of their nine children are living-Mary J., Edward G. and Hattie J. He

came to Grand Rapids in 1851 and worked at his trade for Hilton & White. He remained in the city one year and settled on 80 acres of land in the tp. of Grand Rapids, which he bought in 1847. At that time all the land north of the freight depot was for sale at $11 per acre. He soon returned to the city and three years after bought 80 acres on sec. 4, to which he has since added 15 acres and has 75

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acres improved. He is a member of the Masonic order and the Grange. Himself, his wife, son and daughter, Mary, belong to the Baptist Church.

George T. Moore, son of John and Rebecca Moore, was born in Lincolnshire, Eng., in 1823. He emigrated to the United States in 1842, and settled in Wheat- land, Monroe Co., N. Y. In 1849 he bought 60 acres of land on sec. 21, Walker tp. It was all in timber when he purchased, and he now has 50 acres improved. He was married in Wheatland in 1843, to Esther, daughter of Samuel and Mary Smith, born in Scotland in 1823. They had four children-John R., George I., Mary R. and William W. Mrs. Moore died in 1878. Mr. Moore has been identi- fied with the advancement of his county and township. His father was a soldier in the British army and was wounded at the battle of Waterloo, which was the ultimate cause of his deathi.

David Munro, son of Harvey and Martha (Clark) Munro, was born in Upper Canada, near Toronto, in 1825. His life has been one of adventure, a part of which is related in the sketch of Harry Munro. At 20 David left home and went to work on a farm at $12 a month; chopped about 15 hours a day for four months on the farm he now owns. In 1851 he bought 90 acres in Alpine tp., and the next year started for California with Wm. H. Hilton. They went to Lansing by stage, to Detroit by rail, to Buffalo by stage, and to New York by rail, where they stayed one week and sailed for Panama Isthmus, which they crossed and stayed in the city of Panama two weeks. About 4,000 people without through tickets were

waiting there. Our travelers sailed in the " Blonde " for San Francisco with 300 passengers and a cargo of coal; were 72 days on the voyage. Their capital on reaching San Francisco aggregated $5, and they worked their passage to Sacra- mento by boat and spent the next summer in the mines with small success. They separated and Mr. Munro struggled to make a success of his venture to the land of gold. He returned home at the end of six years with $3,000, and engaged in farming. He was married June 3, 1861, to Mary I. Streator, daughter of John and Mary Streator, born in Grand Haven, Apr. 5, 1845. One child was born in Alpine and two in Walker, as follows :- Edward D., Aug. 31, 1862; Joseph W., May 24, 1865; and Maria E., Oct. 1, 1873. In 1865 Mr. Munro sold his place in Alpine and bought 132 acres on sec. 5, in Walker; has 80 acres under culture. His residence and other buildings cost over $3,000. He is a member of the Grange.

Harry B. Munro, the oldest man in the township, son of William and Lydia (Bolt) Munro, was born in Long Island, N. Y., July 9, 1794. He was married Feb. 29, 1816, in Canada, to Martha, daughter of Moses and Marther (Bill) Clark, born in Franklin, N. Y., Nov. 24, 1791. They had seven children, five of whom are living. Five were born in Canada, the next two in New York. Their names are -Erastus, Hannah (deceased), Stephen D., Elizabeth, David, Sophia and Charles W. In 1836 Mr. Munro pre-empted 80 acres on sec. 5, 40 of which, all improved, he still owns. When he brought his family to Michigan they came from East Guillingsburg, 40 miles north of Toronto, driving through with a three-horse team. They reached Walker Saturday morning, stayed over Sunday with Mr ._ C. Tabor, cut a half mile of road, built a small log-house and moved into it Tuesday evening. The eldest son did not come until four years later, and David, a boy of 14 years, was the only assistant. When the fall came the whole family were sick with the chills except the father. Mrs. Munro died Aug. 6, 1875. Mr. Munro was a soldier of 1812, and served six months.

Daniel O'Neal, son of John and Mary O'Neal, was born in 1816 in Ireland. He came to the United States in 1836 and was employed in Worcester, Mass., three years on the railroad and public works; worked four winters grading on the Central R. R., in Georgia and on a railroad in New York in summers; went to Chicago to work on the canal, and two years after to Rochester, N. Y., where he was employed two years. In 1842 he came to Detroit, and a year later bought 80 acres on sec. 8, in Walker. In 1846 he bought 120 acres in Tallmadge, Ottawa Co., with 100 acres improved. He was married in 1843 at Monroe, Mich., to Mary, daughter of Dennis Sullivan, born in Ireland. They have six children-Patrick, Ellen, John, Dennis, Daniel and Mary. The family is connected with the Roman Catholic Church.

Heman Palmerlee, jr., son of Heman and Nancy (Brooks) Palmerlee, natives of Connecticut, was born in Washington, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1820. His parents came West in 1830, stopping at various points, and finally fixing their residence near Romeo, Macomb Co., where his father died in 1859, and his mother in 1879.

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In 1844 he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Oakland county, and in 1850 bought 160 acres of land on sec. 1. He pursued farming about 20 years and tlien removed to Grand Rapids and was occupied as bookkeeper chiefly for several years. In 1878 he accepted the position as Toll Master on the Grand Rapids & Walker Gravel Road. In the fall of 1880 lie was elected as Representative of the 3d District of Kent county. Mr. Palmerlee was in the war of the Rebellion one year, as Captain of Co. I., 1st Mich. Engineers and Mechanics, and resigned because of ill health. He was married in Oakland county in 1844 to Mary, daughter of Almond and Alvira Mack, born in 1827, in Pontiac. They have two children, born in Walker-Heman M., July 11, 1852, and Mary, Aug. 19, 1867. Mrs. Palmerlee died in 1876, and Mr. P. was again married, in June, 1877. to Mrs. Mary Northrop, widow of David W. Northrop, and daughter of Orrin and Nancy Stebbins, born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Oct. 18, 1828. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' order.

Philo T. Peck was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., July 11, 1837; is son of Wm. R. and Lucy Peck. In the fall of 1848 his parents moved to Grand Rapids, making the trip by the water routes of that period. The father of Mr. Peck was a car- penter, and he early acquired the details of the trade and has followed it for many years. He enlisted at Grand Rapids Sept. 9, 1861, in Co. F, 2d Mich. Vol. Cav., Capt. Peck, and served three years and two months. He was wounded at Rienzi, Miss., in the right leg, and in the raid at Carter's Station, Tenn., after the battle of Murfreesboro, while tearing up bridges and tracks and capturing the guards for the purpose of cutting off' rebel reinforcements, lie was twice wounded and taken prisoner (Dec. 23, 1862). He was held some weeks at that point and some time at Knoxville, and spent three weeks at Libby. He was then exchanged, transferred to Annapolis, Md., and finally to Camp Chase, where he spent the summer recuperating. He participated in the fight at Chattanooga and was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., and came back to Grand Rapids. He was married in 1867 to Emily A. Fitch, daughter of Nelson Fitch, born in Mon- roe Co., N. Y., in 1840. They have four children-Herbert M., Susie H., Lucy M. and Grace. Mr. Peck bought 69 acres in Walker in 1874, and has 30 in- proved.

Amos S. Pettinger was born in Pittsford, N. Y., in 1825 ; is son of John and Sa- brina (Stone) Pettinger. His father was a farmer and owned 130 acres of land, which at his death was equally divided between Mr. I ettinger and an only sister. His father died in 1863, his mother in 1838. He went to Rochester, N. Y., and handled grain three years, and in 1868 settled in Ionia Co., Mich He bought 240 acres in Clinton county, and several village lots in Pewamo, and Lyons ; kept a flour and f. ed store, and in 1873 bought 20 acres on sec. 11 in Walker, with 10 acres improved. He has a fine residence ; was married in St. John's, Clinton Co., in 1872 to Frankie M., daughter of Edward E. Austin, of Fairport, N. Y., born in Webster, Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1838.

Exquire C. Phillips, son of Abram and Betsey Phillips, was born in Newfane, Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1833. When 17 years old he went to Fort Wayne, Ind., and was employed three years in the survey of the Wabash & Toledo R. R. After a year at home he learned the carpenter's trade at Grand Rapids, and was in the employ of the D. & M. R. R. Co. as foreman one year, at Saddlebag Swamp. after which he worked in the city. He was married in 1858 to Mary, daughter of Silas and Susan Hall, born in 1839, at Gun Plains, Allegan county, and came with her parents to Grand Rapids in 1844. Five children have been born to them-Susan M., Sept. 16. 1859: George B., Dec. 4, 1861; Frank, May 25, 1867; Ella M., Nov. 25, 1871; and Cora D., Dec. 15, 1874. They were in Denver, Col., in 1859, and returned to Grand Rapids in time for Mr. Phillips to respond to tlie first call for troops in the Civil War. He enlisted in 1861 in the 3d Reg., Mich. Vol. Inf., Co. B, Capt. Baker Bordon. It was an independent artillery company, and was in the first battle of Bull Run. Mr. Phillips was discharged at the end of six months at Camp Lyon, Va., and re-enlisted in Co. B, 1st Reg., Mich. En- gineers and Mechanics. The regiment left for Louisville, Ky., Dec. 17. 1861. He was with it every day until discharged at Chattanooga, Tenn .; was appointed Orderly Sergeant of Co. B by Col. W. P. Innes. He went to Nash- ville, Tenn., in the employ of the U. S. Goverment: returned at the end of a year and was associated with Wheeler, Borden & Co., in a sash, door and blind factory, at Grand Rapids. Four years after he bought 56 acres on sec. 23, in Walker. Twenty-five acres are cleared and 15 set to fruits of all kinds. Mr. Phillips

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is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the County and Subordinate Granges, the Old Settlers' Society, and the G. A. R., Champlain Post. Mrs. Phillips' parents were among the very early settlers of Grand Rapids. They were natives of New York, the former of English and the latter of German descent. Mr. Hall built the first frame house on the west side of the river, which is still standing and in a good state of preservation. It is opposite the dam on Front street. Mr. Hall died in 1874, aged 65, and Mrs. H. died in 1867, aged 55.

We present Mr. Phillips' portrait in this volume.

Peter Rusche, son of Anthony and Eva Rusche, was born in Grand Rapids in 1850, and eight years later his parents moved to Alpine, where they still reside. He was married in 1876 to Louisa, daughter of John and Tracey Platter, born in Alpine in 1856. They have two children-Fred A. and Eva C. Mr. Rusche came to Walker in 1878, and bought 40 acres on sec. 1, all of which is under improve- ment.

Cornelius P. Schermerhorn, son of Daniel and Nancy A. (Wall) Schermerhorn, was born in Walsingham, Canada West, Dec. 12, 1828. He came to Walker in 1848 with his parents, three brothers and six sisters. His father bought 160 acres on sec. 22, of which Mr. S. bought 60 acres, and now has 40 acres under improve- ment. He was married in Tallmadge, Ottawa Co., in 1853, to Maria, daughter of John E. and Melissa Rice, born in Tallmadge in 1835. Of four children three are living-Fred, Frank and Clara. Mrs. S. died in March, 1861. Mr. S. was married a second time in Wright, Ottawa Co., September, 1869, to Sarah, daughter of Francis and Rhoda Stout, born in Franklin, Lenawee Co., in 1841. They have two children, born in Walker-Marietta, in 1870, and Elizabeth A., in 1875. Mr. S. enlisted in Tallmade in the fall of 1864 in Co. B, 10th Mich. Cavalry, Capt. Thomas, and was discharged in Chattanooga, Tenn., at the close of the war. He is a Granger, and has been Road Commissioner three years.

George Smith (deceased), son of Elijah and Catherine (Rymal) Smith, was born in Ancaster, Canada, in 1826. His parents bought a farm in Alpine in 1846. Mr. Smith bought 140 acres, and brought it to a finely improved condition, with 100 acres cleared, substantial and handsome buildings, 10 acres of orchards, etc. He sold it in 1870, and bought 20 acres on sec. 22 in Walker, with 12 acres of peach, pear and cherry trees,a market garden, with hot houses for flower culture, etc. The buildings are handsomely constructed, and worth about $5,000. Mr. Smith died Nov. 30, 1873, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, in Walker. He was a member of the M. E. Church, acted as Steward, Trustee and Class Leader, made his house the home of the itinerant ministry in the early times, and contributed liberally to the building of several churches. He married in 1854 Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Betsey (Tyler) Escott, born near New York city in 1834. They had one child-William H., born in Alpine, July 24, 1858. Mr. Escott came to Kent county in 1837 ; lived three years in Grand Rapids, and bought 80 acres in Walker on the gravel road three miles from the city. When the infirmity of advanced age came on they sold their farm, and found a home with their son, Joseph T. Escott, then Sheriff of Mecosta county, living at Big Rapids. Mrs. Escott died Oct. 29, 1879.

Jacob A. Smith was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1827. His parents, William and Polly Smith, settled in this tp. in 1856, where his father died in 1867, and his mother in 1866. Mr. Smith was brought up to his father's calling of farmer, which he has followed continuously and successfully, and owns 160 acres of the old homestead. He was married in New York in 1852 to Lucy, daughter of John and Howill Sexton. She is a native of New York. They have four children- Denton A., William J., Ettie and Lowell. Mr. Smith is considered one of the solid, substantial farmers of the tp. P. O., Sparta Center.

John Stewart was born in Essex Co., Canada West, in 1817; is son of James and Margaret (Fulmer) Stewart, the former a native of Pennslyvania, born in 1794, the latter born in Canada. Mr. Stewart was married in 1835 to Semantha Ran- dall, born in New York in 1817. They have four children-Margaret, Heroin, Sylvester J. and Celestia. Mr. Stewart moved to Hillsdale Co, Mich., in 1837, and a year later returned to Canada. In 1844 he went to Vergennes, and a year later came to Walker. In 1850 he bought 40 acres on sec. 11, then in timber, and still owns 29 acres, with 20 improved. Mr. Stewart is a Granger. During the Canadian difficulties of '37 he was "pressed " into the British service, and did military duty six months.

Henry G. Stone was born in Paris, Oneida Co , N. Y., Jan. 5, 1818. He is son of Henry and Permelia (Phelps) Stone. His mother died when he was a few

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weeks old, and his father married Sylvia Phelps, sister of his first wife, born Mar. 7, 1810. His father was born in Providence, R. I, Aug 6, 1791, and his mother Feb. 24, 1797. Father was a lineal descendant of an immigrant to the American shores, who came across the Atlantic soon after the famous voyage of the " May- flower." Mrs. S. is a descendant of a Mr. Barnes, who came over in that celebrated vessel. They went from Genesee county to Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co., and three years later to Ann Arbor, where they settled in 1833. In January, 1839, Mr. Stone came to Grand Rapids, and exchanged 80 acres in Eaton county for an interest in a lot in joint ownership with his father, of which a part is included in Campau Square. His father became involved and the property was exchanged for four lots above Comstock's Mills on Canal street, corner Mason, Nos. 441, '42, '52, '53. Mr. Stone exchanged lot 441 for the site of his present residence. He had previously purchased 40 acres adjoining on sec. 23, and now owns 35 acres just outside the city limits. Hs residence is a fine brick one, costing about $5,000. He also owns one lot on Scribner street, block 20, and 40 acres in Barry county He was married at Grand Rapids, Jan. 5, 1845, to Nancy Barnes, daugh- ter of Jacob and Nancy (Winslow) Birnes, born in Waterbury, Vt., in 1827. They had nine children, four of whom are living. Seven were born in Grand Rapids, and two in Walker, in the following order-Albert H., Nov. 14, 1845, died Oct. 12, 1848; Ella M., May 9, 1849, died Aug. 22, 1853; Julia A., Oct. 28, 1850, died Aug. 18, 1876 ; Frank A., Feb 19, 1854; Anna M., March 29, 1857, died Aug. 10, 1858 ; John M., Dec. 16, 1859, died Oct. 21, 1869; James B., Oct. 1, 1861 ; Ruth P., Dec. 5, 1865; Fleda M., Sept. 19, 1867. Mr. Stone has also in his family the son of his daughter Julia, born May 30, 1874, at Appleton, Wis. Mrs. Stone's parents were pioneers in this county ; came in November, 1836, to Grand Rapids. Jacob Barnes was born April 24, 1798. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Stone had but $100 when he commenced life for himself, and that he earned by working in a foundry. He and his father started the first successful foundry in the city of Grand Rapids, where they were in partnership a number of years

Lyman D. Stan, son of Lyman and Melissa Swan, was born in Augusta, Oneida Co., N. Y., Sept. 13, 1827. His parents removed to M .dison Co., N. Y., and at the age of 19 he paid his father $225 freedom money, and with $25 he left home to seek his own fortune. He was married at 22 in Madison, Feb. 22, 1850, to Martha Fish. They had five children, three of whom are liv- ing-Sarah, George and Emma. He bought 26 acres in Madison, which he sold a few months after at an advance of $210 on the purchase money besides a horse and farming tools. He then bought a farm near by, paying $600 and mortgag- ing for the balance of $600. He engaged in raising hops and making cider. He sold at the end of three years and made abo t $2,000. He then bought a dairy farm which he sold at the expiration of one year, making $1,000. His next vent- ure was at Lebanon. where he bought a shoe store, dry-goods, etc., and built a tannery, selling in three years at a clear profit of $2,000. Another farm which he purchased near Hamilton and managed three years he sold, making $3,000. In March, 1863, he bought 1:8 acres on sec. 1, Walker tp. He now has 132 acres with 80 improved. His wife died and he was married again April 2, 1864, to Anna Hamlin, born in Troy, N. Y., in 1841.

Marcius Taber was born in New York in 1833, the son of Eleazer and Ann Taber who emigrated to this county in October, 1837. After spending six months in Grand Rapids they settled on sec. 5 of Walker tp., where they resided the rest of their days. He died in 1854 at the age of 56, and she in 1875, aged 84. Of the four children brought with them to this county, Marcius was the youngest, who em- barke lin life with but little assistance or capital save industrious and econom- ical habits, by which he has gained a comfortable independence.

In 1863 he married Maria Clark, who was born March 14, 1845, in this county. the daughter of Erastus and Hannah Phillips the former of English ancestry and the latter of German ; they settled in this county in 1837, or '38, on sec. 33, Alpine tp., where they remained until about 15 years ago, when they moved to Grand Rap- ids. Mr. Phillips died in 1880, at the age of 76; the widow is still living, with her daughter, Mrs. K. J. Brown. Mrs. T. had one sister and three brothers, all older than herself.

Mr. Tabor's portrait may be found on another page of this volume.

William Thomas, son of John and Mary (Sweet) Thomas, was born near Sara- toga Springs in 1823. Two years later his parents went to Orleans Co., N. Y.

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Eleven years after they went to Gene. ee county, and two years later to Richland Co., O. In 1847 they settled in Sparta. Mr. Thomas came to this tp. in 1850 and bought 40 acres of forest on sec. 18, to which he has added 40 more, and now has 35 under improvement. He was married in Ohio in 1844 to Lydia E., daugh- ter of Derrick and Abigail Brown, born in Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1829. They have seven children -- Geo. A., Wm. A., Francis A., Maynard D., Martin E., Har- riet E. and Sherman B. The grandfather of Mr. Thomas was in the war of the Revolution .

Dennis Van Donge, son of John and Cornelia (Tak) Van Donge, was born in Holland in 1835. In 1845 his parents came to the United States and settled in Cleveland, O,, and four years after (in 1850) to Grand Rapids, Mich. In 1853 he bought 60 a res on sec. 19. His father died in January, 1877, and his mother in May, 1874. The land at the time of the purchase was all in timber, and about 50 acres liave been placed under good improvenient. He was married Nov. 8, 1865, to Martha A., daughter of George and Fanny (Carpenter) Finch, born in Macomb county in 1843. They have four children, born in Walker as follows: Emma, Aug. 21, 1866 ; Jennie, February, 1868 ; Ella, Feb. 9, 1872, and George, Jan. 21, 1874. Mr. Van Donge is a Granger and has been Constable several years.

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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 145

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