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 20

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 20

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George C. Nelson and James M. Nelson were among the settlers of 1836. Billins Stocking, Isaac Turner and A. B. Turner, whose names are perpetuated in the names of the streets on the west side of the river, came in 1836. The important part taken by these men in the progress of the city cannot be overestimated. In serving themselves, they served the neighborhood, and were the means of accomplishing much good.

Abel Page, born at Rindge, N. H., Jan. 30, 1785, came to Grand Rapids in 1836. His death took place in April, 1854.

John J. Watson, Hezekiah Green, Asa Pratt, Charles H. Taylor, Abram Randall, Samuel Howland, Jacob Barnes, William Mor- man, K. S. Pettibone, Wm. Haldane, J. M. Smith, George Young, Warren P. Mills and E. W. Barnes were among the prominent settlers of 1836, each of them taking an active part in building up the interests of the city and county, as may be learned by a reference to other pages of this work.

David Burnett, an old settler of 1836, was born at South Hadley in 1808, arrived at Detroit in 1836, and walked from that village to Grand Rapids the same year. He stayed with the Smith brothers in Ada township during the winter of 1836-'7; built a log house in

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1837, which was opened as a tavern the same year by John W. Fiske. In 1837 he moved to Grand Rapids, after which he en- gaged in the following named works: The first bridge across the Grand river at Lyons, built for Lucius Lyon in 1837. Rebuilt the same in 1843, and received in part payment 2,000 acres of State im- provement land. In 1838 and 1839, in company with Nathaniel Fiske and Jacob Rogers, of Milwaukee, he built six light-houses on Lake Michigan. In 1843, built for Scribner & Turner the first bridge at Grand Rapids. Rebuilt it in 1852; and again, after the burning, in 1858, built the bridge at Ionia, in 1847; thestone Union school-house, in 1849; the first dam in the city the same year; the bridge at Plainfield, in 1850; the dam at Newaygo, in 1853; the dam at Roger's Ferry, on the Muskegon, in 1864, and the bridge at Bridgetown, in 1866; the bridges on 40 miles of the G. R. & I. R. R., in 1868; the bridge at Big Rapids, in 1870; besides other dams and bridges. Five years later, after a life of almost uninter- rupted activity, he passed to his reward June 22, 1875.

Loren M. Page, born at Concord, Vt., March 29, 1811, immi- grated to Michigan in 1836, and settled at Grand Rapids, Sept. 7, of the same year. The fact that his family was represented in the war for the preservation of the Union by five sons, is of itself suffi- cient to portray the honors which belong to this old settler.

Harry Eaton arrived at Grand Rapids in 1836, and four years later, in 1840, was elected Sheriff of his adopted county. His death was recorded in 1859.

George Martin settled in the county in 1836. Educated at the college of Middlebury, Vt., he brought with him from his Eastern travels, a liberal, well-cultivated mind that fitted him for the high positions which he subsequently held. This old resident of Grand Rapids was County Judge, Circuit Judge and ultimately Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Michigan.

George Coggeshall, a native of Rhode Island, emigrated from Wilmington, N. C., with his family to Michigan in 1836, and made a settlement at Grand Rapids the same year.

I. Mortimer Smith, born at New Milford, Conn., came to Mich- igan in 1836, and settled at Grand Rapids the same year.

Warren P. Mills, born at Ogdensburg, N. Y., March 15, 1812, came to Grand Rapids in 1836, and after a useful career of 32 years in Kent county, passed to his reward July 28, 1868.

Wm. M. Livingstone arrived at Grand Rapids March 1, 1836. He was born at Kingston, Canada West, in 1818, and the year fol- lowing settled at Rochester, N. Y. Mr. Livingstone settled in Plainfield, March 2, 1836, when he located on section 20. In the fall of 1839, after the sale of the public lands, he sold his interest in the last location and purchased his present lands on section 23.

Geo. W. Dickinson, born in Hampshire county, Mass., Sept. 6, 1809, immigrated to Michigan in 1835, and in December of that year located 240 acres on section 21, Grand Rapids township. In 1836 he brought his family westward, and the year following en-

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

tered on the life of a lumberman. He was the first American set- tler who made a thorough exploration of Flat river, and also the owner of the first raft ever brought down that stream.

Robert Hilton, President of the Oid Settlers' Association, came to this county in 1836, and located lands on the north bank of the river, a few miles west of the Eagle Plaster Mills, in 1838. He was born at Mt. Vernon, Kennebec Co., Maine, Dec. 2, 1799. By special act of the State Legislature, his title to real estate in. this county was confirmed in 1843.

Samuel White, a Canadian, with five sons, four daughters, and two sons-in-law, entered 600 acres of land in Walker township as early as 1836, settled there, and has made it his home since that. period.

Zelotes Bemis settled in Walker township in 1836, near the lo: cation selected by Robert Hilton. The land was formerly an In- dian corn-field, and so productive that the owner was enabled to. harvest the first wheat crop grown in the district.

Jesse Smith, another Canadian, with a large family, located two- miles west of the Bridge Street viaduct in 1836, near the location selected by the Edison family immediately after.

Toward the close of 1836 a number of Irish families, flying from oppression and evil laws, sought a home in Michigan. Among the number who settled in Kent county at that period were Pat rick O'Brien, James Murray and Stephen O'Brien.

John Harrington, a native of Vermont, John Hogadone and Joseph Denton arrived in the county in 1836, but did not make a permanent settlement until 1837, when they entered lands in what is now known as Walker township.

Sylvester Hodges, the pioneer of Vergennes, came from New York State in 1836, and settled near the Flat river that year.

James S. Fox arrived at Detroit in 1836, and the same year lo- cated lands in the township of Vergennes, not far distant from the home of Sylvester Hodges.

Jean B. Nardin, a soldier under Napoleon I., came to Detroit in 1828, and ultimately settled in Walker township in 1836. His home was located near the site of the Eagle Plaster Mills.

Lewis Robinson, with his family, arrived, and entering lands on the west bank of the Flat river, located in 1836 on the land on which the southern part of the village of Lowell now stands.

Rodney Robinson located temporarily at Lowell in 1836, and moved to Vergennes in 1837.

Philander Tracey, a native of New York, settled at Lowell with Lewis Robinson in 1836, and moved subsequently to Grand Rapids.

Luther Lincoln, noticed hitherto, settled on the east side of Flat river, on the University lands, in 1836, after which he moved to Montcalm county.

Jacob James and Miner Patterson arrived in the county in 1836, and located in Paris township.

Eng ªby Geo E. Perine, N. York

Seo Shile

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Orleans Spaulding and Philanzo Bowen immigrated to Michigan in 1836, and selecting the district now known as Paris, made their home there.

James McCrath, George Young and Simeon Stewart located near the rapids of Grand river in 1836.

Sylvester Granger came with Robert Hilton in April, 1836 .- Hc studied law in the office of Julius C. Abel, and was admitted an attorney in May, 1843. He was in partnership with Mr. Hilton in the first building and furniture business done in the county.

Nathan, William and Jerry Boynton located farms on section 9, Byron township, in 1836.

Lewis Cook left New Jersey for New York early in 1833; remained there a short time, when, migrating, he located in Wash- tenaw county in 1834, and ultimately became the pioneer of Cas- cade township in 1836.

Edward Lennon, a native of Ireland, immigrating in 1836, settled in Cascade the same year, and continued to make it his home.

Hiram Lanaway, a brother-in-law of Lewis Cook, left New York in 1836, with the intention of becoming a citizen of Grand Rapids; but, being discouraged, returned to his native State. He ventured back in 1839, but was frozen to death in January, 1841, leaving a widow and young family to battle with and conquer the obstacles of early settlement.

Hiram Rhodes, born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1804, came to Michigan in 1831, and settled in Ada township in 1837. His death occurred Oct. 22, 1856.

Canton Smith, born at Scituate, R. I., Oct. 26, 1822, arrived at Grand Rapids in 1837, and became one of the most favorably known hotel men in the State. After the death of Hiram Hins- dill, in 1840, he purchased the National Hotel property.

John T. Holmes, elected Judge of the Superior Court in 1875, was born at Carlisle, Schoharie Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 1815. In 1837 he came to Michigan, and Feb. 16, that year, he went to Grand Rapids, where he spent one year as a clerk, before starting business for himself. For about three years he was in mercantile business, studying law as he had opportunity. He studied law in the office of Bridge & Calkins, and was admitted to the bar May 17, 1843. He soon secured a respectable practice, which resulted in a very extensive one, and which continued until his elevation to the Bench. Mr. Holmes has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Prosecuting Attorney for Kent county for four years, and, on the organization of the Superior Court, he was elected Judge.

John F. Godfroy, nephew of Richard Godfroy, was born at De- troit, July 4, 1824. In 1837 he settled at the village of Grand Rapids, entered mercantile life, and continued one of the leading citizens until Jan. 25, 1876, when he died.

James Scribner, whose enterprise in connection with the salt manufacturing interest of Grand Rapids is noticed in other pages, came in 1837.

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Israel V. Harris, Wm. A. Tryon, Henry Dean, C. P. Calkins and Col. Samuel F. Butler were all pioneers of 1837, well and favorably known throughout the settlement of the valley.

William I. Blakely, Vice-President of the Old Settlers' Associ- ation, settled at Grand Rapids in 1837. He was born in Otsego Co., N. Y .. June 29, 1810.

Luman R. Atwater, born at Burlington, Vt., June 23, 1810, im- migrated to Georgia in 1833, and to Michigan in 1837. It is stated that he came to Grand Rapids the year of his arrival in this State, but did not become a settler in Kent county until 1844.

Gains S. Deane, born at Burlington, Vt., left that State May 10, 1837, for Michigan, visited Grand Rapids, and, like L. R. Atwater, settled at Lyons, where relatives of his wife had already located.

Aaron Dikeman settled here in 1837, and has since that period been closely identified with the business of the city. Though he is not a member of the Old Residents' Association, he was among the earliest promoters of the organization. He was the first jeweler and watchmaker who settled west of Ann Arbor.

Rev. James Ballard is said to have come to Grand Rapids in 1837; but records point out the year 1839 as the date of his com- ing. He was a native of Charlemont, Mass., and a graduate of Williams College, of that State. He was pastor of the Congrega- tional Church of Grand Rapids for 10 years, and the untiring zeal and enterprise displayed by him during that time will always associate his memory with that society. His faithful and untiring efforts in behalf of his flock are clearly proved by the fact that he undertook and performed a journey of over 1,700 miles on foot and alone, through the Eastern States, to raise funds to purchase a building for a church. He has been Principal of the Grand Rap- ids schools, State Agent of the Freedmen's Aid Society, and a prominent, industrious worker in all causes tending to the public good.

Leonard Covell, Marshal of the Old Residents' Association, was born at Cabot, Caledonia Co., Vt., Feb. 17, 1816. Twenty-one years later, in 1837, he arrived at Grand Rapids, and since that time has continued to identify himself with its social and commer- cial progess. He has been interested in gravel-road construction and to him is due, in great measure, the fact that so many broad avenues lead to and from the city.

Col. Hathaway. James P. Scott, Lewis Moody, Chase Edgerly, Wm. Butts, Savoy R. Beals, Cyrus Jones, Horace Wilder, James McCray, Jotham Hall, Edward Feakin, and perhaps a few others, noticed in succeeding pages, settled in the county before the close of the year 1837.

John Wendell, owner of the lots where Luce's block now stands, carried on the mercantile business here for some time. He did not succeed, however, and the property was placed in the hands of John Ball, for Menton, of New York. He brought the first iron safe into the valley. The date of Wendell's coming cannot be

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ascertained. The fact that he had a store here from 1840 to 1846, only is certain.

George Miller, James Clark, Warner Dexter, and Thomas Fraint located in Plainfield township in 1837.

Lucas Robinson, Thompson I. Daniels, Wm. P. Perrin, Alex. Rogers, Emery Foster, and John Brannagan, natives of New York, located in Vergennes in 1837.

Ira A. Danes, Matthew Patrick, Samuel P. Wolf, Charles New- ton, William Van Deusen and Samuel Francisco, all immigrants from New York and Vermont, located on the northern bank of Grand river, from two to five miles west of the confluence of the Flat river, in 1837. Francisco made his first settlement in Ionia county in November, 1835.

Robert Thompson, John W. Fisk and Matthew Taylor entered their lands in Grand Rapids township in 1837.

Nicholas Carlton came to Michigan in 1837. Arriving at De- troit, he pushed forward into the interior without delay, and made a settlement near Grand river, in the township of Paris.

Alexander Clark located on section 8, Gaines township, in 1837.

Alexander L. Bouck and Andrew Bouck settled in Gaines in 1837.

Rensselaer Mesnard, Foster Kelly, Charles Kelly and Joseph Blair settled in the county in 1837.

John Harmon, Harmon Kellogg, and perhaps James B. Jewell, located homesteads in Byron township in 1837.

Andrew Watson and family settled in Cannon as early as 1837.

A. D. W. Stout and family immigrated in company with the Watson family, and selected a location in the town of Cannon.

Solomon Wayne emigrated from Wayne county, N. Y., with his family, in 1837, and located near Indian creek, in what is now known as the township of Alpine.

Jonathan Thomas immigrated with his family in 1837. He was a farmer at Ovid, N. Y. In 1836 he disposed of his interests there, entered a large tract of land in Bowne township, and settled here the following year.

Israel Graves and family, of Ovid, N. Y., settled in the county in May, 1837.

Frederick Thompson, John Harris and William Wooley, with their wives and children, arrived in 1837, and settled in Bowne township.

Reuben H. Smith, Secretary of the Old Residents' Association, was born at Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 7, 1816. He came to Kent county in 1838, and has since that period identified himself with its advancement.

Solomon L. Withey, born at St. Albans, N. Y., is one of the old settlers, having arrived at Grand Rapids in 1838. In 1848 he was elected Probate Judge, in 1860 State Senator, and in 1863 was ap- pointed Judge of the United States Court of this district.

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Abram W. Pike, born at Cincinnati, O., Oct. 5, 1814, came to Grand Rapids in 1838 as an employe of the Port Sheldon Company.

Jacob Barnes, born at Stowe, Vt., April 22, 1825, came to Grand Rapids with his father in 1836. He was connected with the Grand Rapids Enquirer until 1850, when he moved to Detroit and pur- chased an interest in the Free Press. In 1854 he disposed of his interest in that great journal, and returned to Grand Rapids, where he was connected with the Enquirer until 1856.

'Squire Barnes, the head of the Barnes family, arrived here in 1836. He was one of the first justices of the peace here, and a most estimable citizen.

Dr. Arba Richards, born at Hartford, Windsor Co., Vt., March 30, 1803, settled in Vergennes, Kent Co., Mich., in 1838, and died at Lowell, Aug. 11, 1870.

Fred A. Marsh, of New York, married Miss Olive Guild, daughter of Joel Guild, in 1838, and settled one mile north of the present village of Cascade. This early settler was killed by a fall from his wagon in 1856. Mrs. Marsh resided on the old homestead until her death in 1867.

Bold adventurers preceded the Americans in the occupation of the aborigines' domain. The Frenchman and the much-loved Wemi- tigoji-mekatewikwanie, or French missionary, dwelt among the savage bands in the first instance, and visited occasionally in the second. Each acted a part well and earnestly; nor should that heroic woman, Madame La Framboise, be forgotten. Under her civilizing influence barbarism lost half its malice, and through her was prepared to receive the American mechanics of republican States. What the Frenchman began was completed by the Ameri- can pioneer. They entered the land unaccompanied by many of the articles of civilized life, yet they lived in perfect peace amid their uncouth and semi-barbaric surroundings, drew both health and happiness from the fertile soil, and lived to see one of the most prosperous divisions of the State offering greater benefits than even they conceived in their brightest day dreams.

The following verses taken from the writer's scrap-book, speak, as only poetry can speak, the history of the pioneers and old settlers :-

Oh, bright were the hopes of the young pioneer, And sweet was the joy that came o'er him ; For his heart it was brave, and strong was his arm, And a broad, fertile land lay before him.

And there by his side was his heart's chosen bride, Who want and privation knew never;

From kindred and home he had borne her away, To be guarded and cherished forever.

A drear home for a bride is the wilderness wide, Her heart to old memories turning,

And lonely and sad and o'erburdened with care, For kindred and sympathy yearning.

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Then stern was the task, and long was the toil, Vain longing for all that was needed;

Yet bravely their toils and privations were borne, As the wilderness slowly receded.

But the years rolled away and prosperity came ; Wealth and ease on frugality founded ; Now the husband and wife tread the down-hill of life, By brave sons and fair daughters surrounded.

And the young pioneer has grown stooping and gray, And he marvels his limbs are no stronger ; And the cheek of the bride is now sallow and thin, And her eyes beam with brightness no longer.

All honor and praise to the old pioneers; You never may know all their story ; What they found but a desert a garden became, And their toil and success is their glory.

CHAPTER VI.

PIONEER REMINISCENCES

Always speak well of the dead, and at intervals spare a good word for the living. In speaking of the past, and particularly when retrospecting, it is well to observe the fact that the good deeds of those who died, the sacrifices they made, the trials they endured, and the heritage they. handed down, should all be recorded on the page which never dies; while the evils which circumstances linked with their lives, should be passed over lightly or allowed to sink into oblivion.

In the preceding pages much information of an entirely histor- ical character has been given, yet the story of pioneer days would not be complete unless a few, at least, of the stirring reminiscences of olden times were added. For this reason the following sketches have been written or collated to form a sequel to the Indian and pioneer history. Each story will doubtless be accepted by the old residents as a true exponent of the event of which it treats, and though extended in some instances where additions were suggested, or abridged where necessary, the facts have been retained unmu- tilated. It forms the chapter of pioneer reminiscences distinct from the personal reminiscences to be found throughout the pages devoted to biography, and will be found an instructive and inter- esting section of this work, bearing the same relation to history as a flower garden to a farm.

RIX ROBINSON'S ASSERTION OF SUPREMACY.

A year had not passed by since the new trader of the American Fur Company had established his post at Ada. The chiefs of the Otchipwes, Ottawas and Pottawatomies were friendly to him, and. he even shared the good feelings of the great majority of the men and women of the three nations. £ However, there were a few sav- ages who could not fully appreciate the white man, and desired his removal. To effect this they exercised a good deal of caution, and in case their efforts failed they were to call upon Nin Mindid, the most powerful Indian in the valley, to enter a contest with the trader, subdue him, and by this means destroy his influence over the Indians. After months of effort the conspirators failed to make matters so disagreeable as to cause Robinson's evacuation of the post. They called upon Nin Mindid to perform one of his great feats, and extend to the trader a material beating. The savage ac- cepted the task, but, before entering on its accomplishment, came

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often to make a survey of his future antagonist. On each occasion of his visit, he made just so much bustle and noise as to convince the trader of the pugnacious ideas he entertained.

Robinson, whose life at Mackinac made him thoroughly ac- quainted with Indian character, saw at a glance what was intended, but did not show any signs of anger during the first and second visits of Nin Mindid. After this the warriors went to their hunt- ing grounds and did not return until winter. They camped below the trading post, lighted their great fires, and partook of their noon meal. Uncle Rix looked on the proceedings with pleasure, until he saw the whisky bottle in the possession of a squad of warriors, with Nin Mindid as the central figure. Aware of the next act, he entered the store, cleared up the entire space outside the counter, stirred up the fire which burned on the old-time hearthstone, and then, placing an armful of thinly cut maple-wood on the fire, waited upon the Indians' visit. A number of squaws, warriors and old men entered the store; they were followed by the tall Indian, who soon began jostling his comrades and whooping.

Rix Robinson now saw that the moment had arrived for decisive action. He walked quietly forth from behind the counter, and, ordering the squaws and men to stand back, ordered Nin Mindid to leave. The Indian grunted, and with oft-repeated growls told the trader that he would not. In another moment the powerful pioneer grasped him, and placed him across the fire prepared for his pun- ishment. The squaws shrieked, the old men grunted sundry "ughs," and the young men joined in a chorus of laughter at their great brother who, a few minutes previously, was to beat the trader to death. Nin Mindid crept from the fire, looked madly around, shrieked in terror and fled into the woods. Robinson asserted his supremacy. Nin Mindid was an outcast.

Years passed over, and one day as the trader paddled his birchen canoe down the river to Grand Haven, he saw what appeared to him to be an Indian, standing on Battle Point. On approaching nearer, he saw the savage armed with a gun. In a moment he thought of Nin Mindid, but resolved to meet him, and fight if necessary. However, on reaching the bank at the point of land, the Indian cast away his gun, and rushing forward toward his vanquisher, with signs of gladness, received him with a hearty friendship. This was the last time the Big Indian was seen in the district.

THE KAW-WA-SCHAUAY-BEE-SCHID.

Shortly after this conquest of the tall Indian, it was related that another powerful Indian at Grand Haven was in the habit of enter- ing the Robinson store there and helping himself to whisky. Uncle Rix went down from Ada to inquire into this matter, and found that the story was correct. While there the savage came as usual to help himself to the liquid, but this time he had to encoun- ter the owner of the trading post. Uncle Rix demanded what he

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wanted. " I want whisky," responded the Indian. "Well, if you can pay for it, you can have it," was the suggestion of the trader. "Well, I'll have it anyway," said the Indian. Saying this the savage approached the whisky barrel, and had almost reached it when the trader lodged a powerful blow between his eyes which almost doubled him up. Without waiting for the whisky-drinking and fallen hero to rise, he kicked him out of the store.

A few days later the Indian called at the store, and stated calmly that he wished to speak with the trader on the subject of the little difficulty of the past, and suggested that Uncle Rix would accom- pany him into the bush close by.

As both were leaving the store a young Indian approached the trader and said: "Beware! he has a knife." Then Uncle Rix, instead of preceding the Indian, told him to go in advance, which, after some little controversy, he agreed to do. When they reached the bush, Uncle Rix addressed him, saying: "You brought me here to murder me." "No, I did not," said the savage. " Well, I know you did, and now you must give me your knife." " I have not got one," said the Indian. Uncle Rix searched but failed to find the weapon. At that moment the young Indian stepped up and pulled from the savage's breech-cloth or ansian a long knife or dirk. This was enough. The Indian looked dumbfounded, but this did not satisfy the powerful trader; he took the savage down to the mouth of the river and dipped him in the water three times, keeping him down each time until the bubbles ceased to appear on the surface of the water. The third time a number of squaws ap- peared begging for mercy, when Uncle Rix yielded only to their petitions. The Indian was not seen there for a year, but when he came he brought the trader his furs, asked forgiveness, and became a firm friend and great admirer of the pioneer.

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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 20

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