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 24
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sults. Justus C. Rogers, who located in Kent county in 1835, erected a frame house on section 14, Wyoming township, during the spring of 1836, made it a neat pioneer dwelling and had its surroundings tastefully arranged when the terrific storm swept over his home, taking the house from its foundation and moving it a distance of 18 feet, and turning it completely round. The shin- gles and boards of the roof were scattered over the country for a mile in the course of the whirlwind. The log house of Cyrus Jones, then standing on section 6, Paris township, was blown away, the few barns then in the track were scattered far and wide, so that the ruthless wind may be said to have left neither house nor forest in its course untouched.
VICISSITUDES OF A DAY'S TRAVEL.
William H. Brown, a settler of Middleville, started for the town- ship of Alaska with the intention of returning the same evening. He explored the district in the immediate neighborhood of the present village of Alaska, and having done so started on his re- turn journey. Night stole on; he felt that he had lost his way, and determined to halt until the morrow. Dismounting, he attempted to light a fire, but possessed neither flint nor match; so he cleared a sentry walk through the snow, spread bark over the path, and continued a brisk march during the night. At dawn he mounted his shivering horse, rode forward, reached Green Lake House after a circuitous, troublous journey, and was there joined by his friends, who set out in search of him about the time he started from his halting place of the previous night. The man who could hit upon such a means of keeping warm could not be frozen.
THE CELTIC POSTMASTER.
Lewis Moody, who came to Grandville early in 1837, remembers the time when the mail route between the village of Grand Rapids and Grand Haven was established. James O'Neil was the first mail-carrier, filling the positions of master, sorter, collector and de- liverer. In returning from the Lake village, he reached Grand- ville after sundown, and pushed on to the lumber camp in the darkness. Nearing the camp E. B. Bostwick had almost overtaken him, when the hideous night owl called out "Tu whoo! whoo!" O'Neil, thinking that an Indian chief, or halfa dozen of them, were sentinels on the road, was at first inclined to be agreeable, and re- sponded " Me name is Jemmy O'Neil, sure, and I carry the mail." This did not satisfy the disturber of night, so he repeated his challenge, when O'Neil assumed his war attitude and prepared to have something to say in the matter. The fact of Bostwick's prompt announcement of his name saved him from the rising fury of the Hibernian.
What changes have taken place since the dramatis personæ just
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
named first appeared in the Peninsula, with the untamed wilderness as a stage, can be imagined. Life is indeed a battle and a march; only a few have reached their journey's end; another few remain to follow to that land of the hereafter, from which they can look upon these toilers they left behind, and wonder at the busy activi- ties of the times, realizing the fact in its fullest sense that life is a battle and a march.
A SURVEYOR'S REMINISCENCE.
The camp-fire of the surveyor, like the forecastle of a ship, is the auditorium of many a wild tale and many a rare jest. The no- madic and eventful life of a surveyor is not without its petty ro- mances, its perils, its wonderful escapes, its stirring incidents by flood and field; and the natural and proper theater for the recital of such anecdotes is the cheerful camp-fire in the midst of the lonely forest, where a circle of eager and appreciative listeners is sure to be found after each day of toil to while away the evening hours with song, jest or story. The place to hear such tales is un- doubtedly by the camp-fire; yet the swim for life may prove sufficiently characteristic of those old times to form interesting and instructive matter for history.
In 1853 Wright L. Coffinberry, well known throughout West- ern Michigan, was engaged in fulfilling a Government contract in the wilds of Michigan, just north of Kent county. The work led his party as far north as Muskrat lake. The axman, a fine, bold, powerful young fellow, was the most intelligent, social and gentle- manly member of the little circle, who won the esteem of the party by his industry, assiduity and other good qualities. He was the general favorite of the camp, and was always first in either busi- ness or pleasure. He bore the sobriquet "Blaze," on account of his particular branch of the work. In order to meander the lake, a beautiful sheet of water three or four miles wide, and of an irreg- ular oval form, the party was obliged to construct a canoe large enough to transport all the men from point to point, together with the surveying instruments, etc. This task was completed one Saturday evening, when the new boat was hauled upon the beach to be ready for use on Monday morning. Early on Sun- day morning the cook discovered the canoe drifting out, and gave the alarm. "Blaze" instantly went down to the shore, plunged into the waters .and began his chase of the truant canoe. The remainder of the party, with the exception of the cook, re- mained in bed, supposing he would find little difficulty in over- hauling the little boat. Some time elapsed, when the cook called out that Blaze was getting into a bad scrape,-that he was already some distance from shore, and no nearer the boat than when he started. When the men rushed forth they saw Blaze a full half- mile out, and the boat was rapidly drifting before him. In a short time the wind lulled and he was about to grasp the canoe, when a
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
fresh breeze sprung up, driving the little vessel away from his touch with such celerity that soon left a wide gap between the pur- suer and pursued. Then the breeze lulled again. and he gained upon the chase, only to be again disappointed of his prize. In this tantalizing manner he had already been drawn too far from the shore to return with safety. Would the breeze never lull ? No ; the boat constantly receded, and now he was fully a mile from the shore. Suddenly he turned and shouted, "How far out am I ? Shall I come back ?" "Not far. . Go on ! You'll soon catch it."
He turned and commenced the pursuit again. Every member of the party knew he was nearly exhausted by the way in which he swam. Slowly the swimmer struggled on, growing less and less visible as the distance increased, until his head alone could be seen, -a dark, small speck on the distant wavelets. Minutes elapsed,- minutes of profound silence, and intense agony. The breeze grew less; it puffed, failed altogether, and the brave fellow gained upon the chase. Would the lull continue? He neared it; hardly a visi- ble space separate them; there was a ripple on the water. No! it died away, and his hands are lifted to grasp the prize; he has it! But could he, exhausted as he was, get into the canoe without upsetting it, or would he cling to the side until it drifted ashore? A minute -two minutes elapsed and he was not seen to move! Suddenly he lifted himself clear from the water and boarded the little boat in safety. They all knew he was saved for the paddles were in the boat, and he could return at his leisure. Thus did a brave man win a victory over death, and is to-day a citizen of Grand Rapids-Mr. Scales.
WALKER IN 1840.
Two years after Robert Hilton settled in the township of Walker his large house on section 36, then section 4, of township 7 north, range 12 west, was often visited by the Indians of Blackskin's and Noon-Day's bands. During the winter it was the custom of the savages to hasten down to the house at the close of the day, and circle round the blazing logs which burned on the old-time, ample fire- place. As a rule, the Indians observed good manners during their visits; but on one occasion one of their number indulged in some boisterous language, when the American stepped forward, and, taking the warrior by. the shoulder, put him out. His brother Indians looked on silently, and seemed to be well satisfied at the downfall of the young brave.
At another time, while hunting up his cattle, he heard an uproar among his hogs, then roaming through the woods on section 34, Walker township. Going at once to the locality whence the noises proceeded, he saw a husky dog worrying one of the hogs to death. The canine, on seeing him, fled, but the settler pursued
246
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
him to his fastness. There, on the narrow trail, stood an Indian, armed with his gun. Mr. Hilton quietly dismounted, seized upon the gun, shot the dog, and continued his search for the cattle. Subsequently the Indians lodged a complaint with Louis Campau. He, on learning from the American a true statement of the affair, decided in his favor, and ever after not even an Indian dog inter- fered with his property.
CHAPTER VII.
THE OLD RESIDENTS SOCIETY.
It has ever been a day of rejoicing, when pioneers should meet; when the old settlers of the land should come together to renew their memories and cheer up their souls. In the dim past, when, after Babel, the migrations of the peoples first assumed an extensive form, the idea of periodical reunion was initiated, and soon was rendered practicable. Over 2,000 years ago the spot on which the capital city of the French republic now stands was hallowed by an assembly of its first settlers, assembled to sacrifice to the gods in thanksgiving for their new and beautiful land. Revert to those olden times, and the conception of those happy gatherings will remind us of their utility.
If, then, the barbarians of antiquity observed the custom, and were soothed into peace during the observance of such a festival, how much more is it becoming in the people of this our day to participate with the old settlers in celebrating their coming and their stay, to meet old and tried friends, to share in the joys of such an occasion? Throughout the length and breadth of this great land, the large-souled pioneers, who contributed in the first instance to make it great, assemble periodically to commune with one another, to interchange thoughts of the past, and express their admiration of the busy activities of the present. The pleasures of such meetings are known only to the pioneers. Their children never can conceive the feelings such meetings awaken, or the happy memories which they summon up. For the old settlers alone these meetings have an undying interest; and though the young may possibly share a little in the joys of the old, youth can never summon to its aid the same endearing thoughts of the past, or entertain for the soil they tread that beautiful veneration implanted in the hearts of the old settlers. They alone saw the virgin soil, and linked their fortunes with her; their industry tamed the beautiful wild land until it yielded returns a hundred-fold; their hands decorated the forest farm with a modest yet comfortable cottage; and now, in declining years, they have that homestead in which to take a pride, and these happy meetings to yield them pleasure.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY.
The idea of a pioneer organization took possession of the old settlers of Kent county at a comparatively early date. Twenty-
(247)
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
two pioneers of the county considered the matter fully, and issued the following circular letter, Feb. 18, 1858:
Desiring to perpetuate the early history of Kent county, and to continue good social feelings among the remaining pioneers, we respectfully invite such of the present residents of the county as had settled in the Territory of Michigan pre- vious to Jan. 26, 1837 ( being the date of admission as a State), to meet with us at Messrs Ball & McKee's office, Monday evening, the 22d inst., at seven o'clock P. M., to form an Old Settler's Society of the county.
( Signed )-
Geo. Coggeshall,
Robert Hilton,
D. S. Leavitt, S. F. Perkins,
Geo. Martin,
A. B. Turner,
John Almy,
D. W. Evans,
Rix Robinson,
J. W. Pierce,
John Ball,
Charles Shepard,
W. G. Henry,
Antoine Campau,
C. H. Taylor,
James Lyman,
M. Ringuette,
Nelson Robinson,
J. F. Godfroy,
John Ringuette,
S. L. Withey.
R. C. Luce,
This meeting for organization was held at the time and place named in notice, under the presidency of John Ball, with D. W. Evans, Secretary. 'Messrs. J. F. Chubb, J. Almy, S. L. Withey, and Wm. J. Welles were appointed a committee on constitution and by-laws. This committee reported five articles of association, with a preamble as follows :-
WHEREAS, We, the undersigned, were residents of the Territory of Michigan, by settlement therein prior to the 26th day of January, A. D. 1837, that being the date of its admission as a State, whereby we may appropriately be denomina- ted " old settlers ;" and
WHEREAS, We are desirous of gathering facts relative to, and perpetuating the early history of Kent county, and also of continuing social feeling among those who rank as pioneers; therefore
We hereby associate ourselves together and adopt the following as our articles of association.
The first of those articles provided that the association should be named "The Old Settlers' Society of Kent County." The second and third provided that the officers should comprise a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, each to be elected at the annual meeting to be held January 26, every year, at the city of Grand Rapids. The fourth and fifth articles related to the organi- zation of the executive of the society. A set of by-laws was adopted, and a committee on the selection of officers appointed, which in turn reported that J. F. Chubb was elected as President; E. W. Davis, Vice-President; John Ball, Treasurer, and J. W. Pierce, Secretary. The selections were approved, and the installation of the officers for the year ending Jan. 26, 1859, proceeded with. The following are the names of the first members of the Kent County Old Settlers' Society, with the date of their immigration to Michigan Territory, as well as their settlement in Kent county:
249
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
ROLL OF MEMBERS.
SETTLED IN TERRITORY. SETTLED IN KENT CO.
Born at Detroit,
Sept., 1835.
May, 1832,
May, 1835.
July 6, 1834,
July, 1835.
M. Ringuette,
May, 1836,
John Ringuette,
May, 1836,
Sam'l F. Perkins,
May, 1835,
Sept., 1836.
Dan'l W. Evans.
Oct., 1836,
Oct., 1836.
M. Van Amburgh,
July,. 1827,
Feb., 1837.
J. L. Wheeler,
May, 1832,
July, 1837.
James Miller,
May, 1834,
July, 1844.
David Burnett,
Sept., 1836,
Sept., 1836.
Charles Shepard,
Oct., 1835,
Oct., 1835.
R. C. Luce.
Sept., 1833,
Aug., 1841.
W. J. Welles,
March 17, 1834,
July 7, 1848. April, 1840.
C. H. Taylor,
June, 1836,
Aug., 1836.
Julius Granger,
Jan., 1833,
April, 1840.
A. B. Turner,
May, 1836,
June, 1836.
J. W. Pierce,
May, 1836,
Sept. 5, 1836.
Geo. Coggeshall,
May, 1836,
May, 1836.
Julius C. Abel, Barney Burton,
June, 1835,
June, 1835. May 17, 1833.
J. F. Chubb.
May, 1827,
June, 1833.
Ezekiel W. Davis,
May, 1834,
Ezra Reed,
July, 1834,
Robert Hilton,
June, 1831,
John Ball,
July, 1836,
James Scribner,
Aug., 1836,
March, 1837.
Loren M. Page,
Sept., 1836,
S. L. Withey,
Nov., 1836,
W. F. Huiych,
April, 1825,
Feb., 1845. Feb., 1840.
James Lyman,
June, 1835,
June, 1835.
Wm. H. Godfroy,
Born in the Territory,
Sept., 1835. July, 1845.
E. T. Nelson,
Oct., 1836,
Oct., 1836.
P. R. L. Pierce,
Jan., 1836
Nelson Robinson,
Oct., 1836,
L. Buell,
Nov., 1832,
F. H. Lyon,
Oct., 1836,
April, 1841.
John M. Fox,
June, 1836.
Feb., 1837.
Geo. Martin,
Sept., 1836,
Sept., 1836. Nov., 1832.
Philander Tracey,
-, 1820,
D. S. Leavitt,
July, 1835,
Rix Robinson,
Sept., 1815,
John F. Godfroy,
Oct., 1836,
Justus C. Rogers,
Dec., 1835,
A. Hosford Smith, Wm. Haldane,
July, 1836,
C. Caster,
-, 1834,
H. H. Allen,
-,1830,
Abel T. Page, Ira Jones,
Oct., 1832,
Milton Hyde,
Aug., 1829,
Geo. A. Robinson,
-- , 1833,
Hiram Hinsdell,
--. 1833,
Erie Pierce,
Aug., 1826,
Oct., 1848.
Cyrus Jones,
July, 1834,
A. W. Pike,
May, 1827,
Aug. 28, 1834. Aug. 3, 1838.
Oct. 12, 1836. Dec., 1835. Dec. 2, 1835. July, 1836. , 1857. March 1, 1838. -, 1836. July, 1833. Jan., 1849. July, 1836. Feb., 1834.
-, 1835,
July, 1835. -, 1821.
Harry Eaton,
Nov., 1835,
July, 1839. Oct., 1836. Oct., 1850.
John Truax,
July, 1826,
Sept., 1836. March, 1837.
Lewis C. Davidson,
Aug., 1835,
John Clancey,
Aug., 1835,,
May, 1834. July, 1834. July, 1836. Oct., 1836.
June, 1832,
Peter Roberts,
Dec., 1836,
July 18, 1836. May, 1836. May, 1836.
Antoine Campau, Jefferson Morrison, John Almy, Samuel Harland,
July 8, 1836,
250
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
From 1859 to 1868, there is no record of a permanent organiza- tion. During those years the pioneers of the county merely assembled at intervals to celebrate the birthday of one of their number, or participate in the rejoicings of a golden wedding day.
A formal meeting of old settlers was held within the counting room of A. Roberts & Sons, at Grand Rapids, Feb. 29, 1868, over which Wm. A. Tryon presided, with J. W. Pierce, Secretary, at which J. G. Thompson, the photographer, who made a group pict- ure of 40 members of the society, was admitted an honorary member.
THE SOCIETY REORGANIZED.
A second general meeting of the Old Settlers was held at Sweet' s. Hotel, Dec. 27, 1871, under the presidency of Ezekiel W. Davis, with Lumue R. Atwater, Secretary. The temporary Chairman and Secretary were elected President and Secretary of the Society for the year ending January, 1872, with Robert Hilton and Charles- Shepard, Vice- Presidents.
John F. Godfroy, James Miller, Thomas D. Gilbert, Charles Shepard and J. W. Pierce were appointed a committee on con- stitution and by-laws. Hon. Byron D. Ball offered to write the- history of steamboat navigation on Grand River; Prof. Frank- lin Everett offered his services to the society as historian; and. J. W. Winsor and others related some adventures of the early settlers. The reorganized society was formed under the most favor -- able circumstances.
MEETING OF 1872.
The third general meeting of the pioneers was held at Sweet's- Hotel, Jan. 17, 1872, with E. W. Davis in the chair, when the- committee on organization, appointed February, 1871, reported in favor of carrying on the society under the form adopted in 1858. The annual election resulted in the choice of Rix Robin son for President; Ezekiel W. Davis and Charles Shepard, Vice Presidents; John W. Pierce, Secretary, and Luman R. Atwater Treasurer.
THE FOURTH GENERAL MEETING
was held in the Circuit Court room, Feb. 22, 1873, with Vice- President E. W. Davis in the chair. A paper descriptive of the early settlement at the Rapids was read by the Chairman; a statis- tical paper by Wm. M. Ferry; a poem, entitled "Reunions of the Old Settlers," by J. Ransom Sanford; a letter from John Ball, then residing at Geneva, Switzerland, by James Miller.
Eugene E. Winsor, born in Ionia county in 1833, and for years
251
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY. .
a resident of New York State, was admitted a member of the society.
A special meeting was held May 28, 1873, to consider the advisa- bility of holding a festival in June. The members were favorable to the idea, and selected Robert Hilton, Franklin Everett, L. R. Atwater, W. J. Blakely and Benjamin C. Luce, a committee to make the necessary arrangements.
The festival was held June 21, 1873, and was a success in its every feature. Hon. Thomas B. Church delivered the address; the poem, "One Hundred Years Ago," was read by Prof. Everett; while Dr. Platt read a document presented to the Medical Society here long years before.
THE FIFTH REGULAR MEETING
was held in the Common Council room, Randall's block, Jan. 26, 1874. The officers elected in 1872, and again in 1873, were re- elected for the year ending January, 1875. . At this reunion, John F. Godfroy related many stories connected with the Indian occupa- tion of the valley; Judge Davis treated the same subject, stating among other facts that he had been employed in 1834 by the In- dians to operate their saw-mill on Indian creek. Rev. James Bal- lard related the history of the churches of Grand Rapids in 1836- '38. John Ball, B. Stocking, H. H. Ives, James Davis, Franklin Everett, Myron Royce, and James Miller recited many reminiscen- ces of early times.
Ezekiel Davis died Nov. 6, 1874, and on the following day the Old Settlers' Society met, when a resolution of condolence was passed, and Leonard Covell and John F. Godfroy were appointed marshals of the funeral cortege.
Messrs. Hilton, Church, Everett and Ballard, the committee on resolutions, reported the following in connection with the death of this pioneer: " That in the death of Judge Ezekiel Davis, the public has lost one of its best citizens; a pioneer in the Grand River Valley; a public man long identified with its progress; a pure and virtuous man in private life ; an honorable Christian gentleman. One long-loved, long-honored and revered has finished his earthly course and gone to his rest,-his life-work done, and well done. That in token of our sympathy with his family a copy of these resolutions be presented to them and to the press; and, in token of our personal regard for the deceased, we attend his funeral in a body." The terms of this resolution were observed, and the pioneers honored themselves in paying due respect to the ashes of their departed brother.
THE SIXTH REGULAR MEETING
was held Jan. 26, 1875, with Vice-President Charles Shepard in the chair. The only business of importance transacted was the ap-
252
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
pointment of James Miller, John Ball and Thomas D. Gilbert, a committee on resolutions in connection with the deaths of Rix Robinson and John W. Pierce, President and Secretary respectively of the society. A series of resolutions were reported at a special meeting held Feb. 2, 1875, and approved.
The officers elected for 1875 were: John Ball, President; Charles Shepard and Robert Hilton, Vice- Presidents; Franklin Everett, Secretary; Leonard Covell, Marshal; and Wm. Newton Cook, Treasurer. This election, with notice of amendments to the con- stitution-one of which provided for the change of name to "The Old Residents' Association of the Grand River Valley"-and the passing of the resolutions of condolence, formed the business of the special meeting.
THE SEVENTH REGULAR MEETING
was held Jan. 26, 1876. After the transaction of some routine business, the following officers were elected; Robert Hilton, Presi- dent; Charles Shepard and W. A. Tryon, Vice-Presidents; Reuben H. Smith, Secretary; and W. N. Cook, Treasurer.
The following named persons were elected honorary members of the society: Wm. B. Ledyard, Henry Fralick, Wm. C. Voorhees, Martin Riorson, Mrs. Wm. A. Richmond, Mrs. Truman A. Lyon, Mrs. Barney Burton, Mrs. Lewis Reed, Mrs. Judge Boyel, and Mrs. Col. Roberts.
By a resolution of this meeting the wives of members of the society were to be admitted to all the privileges of honorary mem- bership.
The reunion at the Morton House, Feb. 8, 1876, was another of those happy gatherings characteristic of a pioneer organization.
The association attended the funeral of Mrs. Ezra Reed, who died at Muskegon, Mich., on Feb. 21, 1876. A few months later the organization appeared in the funeral cortege which accom- panied the remains of Mrs. Benjamin Luce to their last resting place May 5, 1876.
The picnic at Reed's lake, July 13, 1876, was one of those en- joyable affairs which tend to raise men's minds above the serious cares of the world. Nor was its utility in this respect to be ques- tioned. Within a few months some of the best known old settlers were accompanied to their graves by many of the merrymakers on this occasion; and to bask in all the sunshine which this world affords to men and women who earned rewards as the old settlers did, was a duty which they owed to themselves and their friends, even though death snatched a few of their number away, and con- tinued to threaten others.
Passing away from the festivities of July, the association was called upon to attend the funeral of Nathaniel Fisk, who died Sept. 13, 1876. The officers of the society and many of its members were present, and paid their last duties of respect to a deceased member.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
THE EIGHTH REGULAR MEETING
was held within the U. S. Court room at Grand Rapids, Jan. 26, 1877, with all the officers and 30 members present. Robert Hilton was elected President; Wm, A. Tryon and Charles Shepard, Vice-Presidents; Reuben H. Smith, Secretary; Wm. N. Cook, Treasurer, and Leonard Covell, Marshal.
The reunion at the Morton House, Feb. 8, 1877, was attended by 266 pioneers of the valley. After the banquet, President Hilton asked Judge Withey to address the guests of the associa- tion. The Judge, in assenting, said it gave him great pleasure to speak of the merits and sterling qualities of the men who endured the privations of pioneer life, whose influence and enter- prise had proved so beneficial to society, and who contributed so largely to the development of the resources of the State. It was a pleasure for him to speak of old times and connect with them such names as Rix Robinson, Wm. M. Ferry, Dr. Cumming, Geo. Coggeshall, Lucius Lyon, Stephen Hinsdill, Judge Almy, and many others who had gone to their graves; men who had an influence in society, who helped to form public opinion, to stamp the impress of their characters upon society. He loved to speak in terms of praise of the living and the dead, who came into the valley when it was a wilderness, planted civilization in the midst of barbarity, and labored to develop the resources we live to see and to enjoy. Taking a retrospect of the past, we see what influences have come down to us. In the formation of the society those men and women gave it its character and tone; they found an undeveloped region and labored successfully to develop all its resources, so that it is now the most prosperous and inviting region in the State of Michigan.
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