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 42
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James N. Davis came to Grand Rapids with his father's family in August, 1836. In May, 1847, he entered the office of the Grand River Eagle, to learn the trade of printing, and has ever since that time, with short periods of intermission, been engaged in some capacity, either on the Eagle or Democrat and its predecessor. He has filled every station in newspaper life from " devil" to pro- prietor, and is conversant with every branch of the printing busi- ness. In 1862 he accepted a position on the Detroit Free Press, occupying it till June, 1863, when he returned to Grand Rapids. In January, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Co. B, 2d Mich. Inf., and remained with that regiment until it was mustered out in the early part of 1865, when he was transferred to the 14th Mich. Inf., with which regiment he remained till its discharge in July, 1865, and was mustered out as Orderly Sergeant of Co. H.
With the brief exceptions mentioned he has resided in Grand
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Rapids since 1836. He has seen the city grow from a township of a few dozen families to a populous city of about 35,000 souls. He is one of the few remaining "early settlers," and from his almost un- broken residence in Kent county can give as authentic account of the early scenes and incidents of the history of Grand Rapids as any of its present residents, and is now seeing his fourteenth term as Supervisor of the ward in which he resides.
Isaac E. Messmore, sole proprietor and editor-in-chief of the Daily and Weekly Democrat, is 55 years of age, and claims to be an early settler of Michigan, his father being born in the city of Detroit, and residing in that city over 40 years. The years preceding his majority were a continual struggle for the wherewith to maintain life and obtain an education, one portion of the time working at the most laborious occupations to obtain means with which to support himself while pursuing studies, the other portion of the magnitude of such a struggle no one can judge but those who have undergone it; but success crowned his effort. Having decided to be a lawyer, he turned his attention to that profession, went through the usual studies, and graduated at the Richmond (Va.) Law School. In 1850 he settled in Wisconsin, where he resided until 1862.
Originally, in politics, Col. M. was a Whig, and acted with that party as long as it maintained a distinctive organization; but upon its dissolution he abandoned politics, for a time. In 1861 he allied himself with the Republicans, and was elected to the Wisconsin Legislature that year. This year he was also appointed Circuit Judge of the 5th Judicial District of Wisconsin. At the breaking out of the rebellion he went from the bench into the 14th Wiscon- sin Regiment as Lieut .- Col., and served in that capacity until the' battle of Shiloh. He then resigned and returned to that State, when he was immediately appointed Colonel of the 31st Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers. Becoming disabled on the field, he was sent to the New York city hospital, remaining six months, where he underwent a surgical operation.
He resumed his command just before the close of the war and went to Washington, where, upon the recommendation of General Grant, Postmaster-General Randall and Gen. John A. Rawlins (afterward Secretary of War), he was appointed Assistant Com- missioner of the Internal Revenue Department, discharging, in addition, the duties of Solicitor of departments. He was, dur- ing that time, appointed by President Johnson one (and execu- tive member) of the celebrated Metropolitan Board of the City of New York, which post he held 18 months, when the board expired by limitation, and he came to Grand Rapids.
In 1876, becoming dissatisfied with the course of the Republican party, he joined the Democracy, and took an active part in the Presidential campaign of that year, and also in 1880. In July, 1877, in connection with Gen. A. A. Stevens, he purchased The Democrat establishment, and continued the publication of the paper
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with his partner until May 26, 1881, when he purchased the inter- est of Gen. Stevens and became sole proprietor and editor-in-chief.
Perhaps none of the various proprietors or editors of The Dem- ocrat have been so widely known as Col. Messmore. Having resided in various States and taken an active interest in whatever tended to promote the progress of the locality in which he resided, he of ne- cessity has become well known throughout the United States. As a writer he is sharp and incisive, and attacks what he considers wrong in any section or individual; and in the discharge of his duty he neither gives nor asks quarter. No paper in the State has liad more prominence, or its opinions oftener quoted by friends and foes, than The Democrat. His knowledge of every topic that has in the past agitated the public or is now before the people, and his masterly handling of the subject, give him a respectful hearing from every class of the reading public. He courts opposition, not for the sake of controversy, but that through argument the right may prevail. During his administration The Democrat has steadily advanced until as a news and political journal it is second to none in the State.
THE DAILY HERALD.
This was the pioneer daily journal of Grand Rapids. Its first issue was struck off March 19, 1855, by A. E. Gordon. After run- ning a year, the publisher purchased the Enquirer, and thence- forth the paper was known as the Enquirer and Herald.
THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
was established as a bi-weekly newspaper by J. P. Thompson, in 1857, after he ceased his connection with the Enquirer and Herald. He was associated in the enterprise with Chas. B. Benedict. Mr. Thompson subsequently became thoroughly engaged in the canse of horticulture, and held the highest offices in the State Horticult- ural Society. About four years ago he took charge of the agri- cultural department of a Detroit paper, and has since died.
THE YOUNG WOLVERINE
was established in 1857 by C. W. Eaton and W. S. Leffingwell.
THE GREAT WESTERN JOURNAL
was established as a weekly newspaper in 1867, by Thomas D. Wor- rall, but has long since ceased to exist.
Uri J. Baxter, at one time connected with the above journal and other papers at Grand Rapids, was born in Fayston, Vt., Jan. 20, 1833. Had a district-school education, which he supplemented by study of the higher mathematics. Came to Kent county in 1851, and soon began school teaching, which he followed for several
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years. Between 1858 and the breaking out of the war he was engaged in newspaper work, on the Great Western Journal and Valley City Advertiser, at Grand Rapids. He enlisted in the regi- ment of mechanics and engineers for the war, but was taken prisoner and paroled before reaching its headquarters in Tennessee, and was discharged by reason of disability. Subsequently he was engaged for a time on the Grand Haven Herald. About 1866 he went to Washington and engaged in Government service. Studied law and graduated with honor at the Columbia Law School. Has since been in the General Land Office, having occupied all grades of positions, from the lowest, in which he started, to the highest.
THE DAILY TIMES.
The Grand Rapids Daily Times was established by C. C. Sexton in 1870, and the first number issued from the press April 17 of that year. Nathan Church purchased a half interest in the journal in 1871. Three years later Don. Henderson and Geo. W. Gage ac- quired a proprietary interest, and subsequently Messrs. Tarbox & Harris entered into partnership, and were the publishers of the paper until 1876, when Mr. Church returned to the city, after an absence of two years, and resumed its management. Since that period the Times has been published under his immediate direction save during the term of his recent trans-Atlantic travels, when Theodore R. Carpenter, the news editor, assumed its management and published the journal in accord with a policy dictated by Mr. Church. The staff of the journal, at the present time, comprises: Nathan Church, editor; Theodore R. Carpenter, news editor; J. F. Hobbes, city editor; J. S. Macard, cashier, and A. B. Tozer, busi- ness manager.
The Times is independent in politics, its news columns are re- plete, and its general selections instructive and appropriate. For a time in its earlier history it was exposed to varied and trying vicissitudes, but its career during the last five years has shown it superior to every obstacle, and won for it a high place among the first-class daily newspapers of the State, as well as a most important place in the estimation of the people of Kent county.
The Weekly Times is published in connection with the Daily Times, and, like the latter, claims a wide circulation. Both papers are very creditable to the city of Grand Rapids, and fully merit the extensive patronage extended to them.
Nathan Church, editor and proprietor of these journals, was born Feb. 20, 1847. His parents, Henry A. and Helen (Robinson) Church, were natives of Boston, Mass. Mr. Church received his theoretical teachings in the schools of his native State, and on the completion of such an education, strengthened it with the practical lessons which only travel around the world can teach. From 1864 to 1867 he visited Europe, Africa and Asia, and returning to the United States in the latter year, entered mercantile business in
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Chicago. In 1869 he came westward, and settled at Grand Haven, Ottawa Co., where he was senior member of the firm of Nathan Church & Co., merchants, as well as proprietor of the newspaper known as the Grand Haven Union. In 1871 he sold the Union office, and moved to Grand Rapids, where he purchased an interest in the Times, of which he is now editor and proprietor. Mr. Church is correspondent of the New York Sun, Cincinnati Enquirer, and of the Boston daily journals. His experiences as a journalist and traveler during the last 10 years qualify him fully to fill the im- portant position he occupies on the daily press.
THE SATURDAY EVENING POST
was established in 1873 by D. N. Foster, and the first number issued Oct. 4, 1873. W. M. Hathaway was assistant editor. The features of the journal were independence in politics, and well selected liter- ary column, it fought nobly for woman suffrage. In February, 1879; the interest in this journal was purchased by Cresswell & Felker. P. H. Felker disposed of his interest to Chas. A. French. in March, 1880. John A. Cresswell and Mr. French are the present proprietors.
The Post is a 48-column quarto journal, the mechanical work is good, and the articles and selections prepared with great care.
John A. Cresswell, born in Beaver Co., Pa., July 11, 1850, came to Albion, Mich., in April, 1866, where he pursued his studies at the college. He graduated there in 1876. In 1872 he was ed- itor of the Albion Recorder. In 1873 he was on the editorial staff of the Tribune. In December, 1874, he arrived at Grand Rapids and took a position on the staff of The Democrat as city editor. In July, 1875, he returned to Detroit, re-entering the Tribune office as news editor. In December, 1875, he returned to Albion, resumed his studies there, and graduated in June, 1876. In March, 1877, he returned to Detroit, where he received an appointment as managing editor of the Detroit Evening News and subsequently special cor- respondent. This position he occupied until Jan. 1, 1879, when he came to Grand Rapids, where one month later he purchased an interest in the Post, of which journal he continues the editor.
Charles A. French, born in New York, came West with his parents, who settled in Jackson about 1853. In March, 1880, he arrived at Grand Rapids and purchased P. H. Felker's interest in the Post. Previous to his connection with this journal he was always engaged in mercantile pursuits, nor has he lost his identity in this respect, as he devotes his attention to the business depart- ments of that newspaper.
THE LEADER
was established Feb. 13, 1879, by the Leader Publishing Com- pany, comprising among the principal stockholders, Henry Smith, C. C. Comstock, W. H. Powers, John C. Blanchard, L. V. Moulton,
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
W. P. Innes, John L. Curtiss. P. S. Hulburt and W. A. Berkey. The Leader was issued as an independent evening journal, national in politics, and now the exponent of the National Greenback party in this State. The first political editor was Wm. B. McCracken, with James H. Maze and W. B. Weston news and city editors, respect- ively. Mr. McCracken retired a few months after the inaugura- tion of the Leader, and took a position on a journal, then about being established at Lansing, when J. H. Maze succeeded him as political editor. Mr. Maze retired from journalistic life June 19, 1880, when he was succeeded by Dr. Arnold. The Doctor edited the journal until Jan. 1, 1881, when J. H. Maze again entered upon the duties of that position. D. R. Waters was appointed political editor Feb. 19, 1881. Mr. Weston continues to occupy the position which he held at the inauguration of the Leader. W. R. Maze succeeded his father as news editor in March, 1879, and continued on the staff of the paper until the early part of 1881.
The Weekly Leader was established simultaneously with the Daily, and has been conducted by the same editorial staff. The circulation of the Weekly averages about 3,000, with a good advertising patron- age. The Daily has reached a circulation of 1,600 copies. Both papers have proven financially successful since their establish- ment. The editorial staff comprises D. R. Waters, editor; W. B. Weston, city editor; T. W. Fletcher, reporter. Miss H. A. Moul- ton is bookkeeper and cashier; Amos D. Green, circulating agent; E. A. Stone, advertising solicitor, and Walter Ryness, foreman of composing room.
David R. Waters was born in Lycoming Co., Pa., Dec. 3, 1837. In addition to a common-school education he prosecuted a year's. study at the West Branch High School. He read law with C. M. Harris at Oquawka, Ill., from October 1856, to the spring of 1858, when he was admitted to the Bar, and to a partnership with his principal in the summer of 1861, then occupying the position of chairman of the Democractic County Committee of Henderson Co., Ill., and member of the Democratic Congressional Committee. He was offered a commission by Gov. Yates, then in the hands of Capt. F. A. Dallam, to recruit a company for the 13th Ill. Inf. He entered upon recruiting service, and with a squad of men joined his. regiment at Mound City, Ill., in November 1861. He rose to the rank of Captain in that regiment and participated with it in the campaigns of Gens. Pope, Rosecrans and Grant. At the battle of Mission Ridge he was acting as aid for Gen. Davis, and at the request of Gen. Sherman was sent by Davis to Gen. Grant at Chattanooga with a report of the operations on our left at Tunnel Hill the first day of the battle.
He resigned his commission in April, 1864, on account of disa- bility. On his return to Illinois he resumed the practice of law, and incidentally, as the secretary of a stock company, owning the Mercer County Press at Aledo, Ill., he had some experience in editorial work. On account of disease in the eyes contracted in
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
the service he quit office work in the spring of 1869, and took up his residence at Spring Lake, Mich., where he has opened up a fruit farm. In the summer of 1872 he was editor of the Spring Lake Independent. In the fall of 1875 he was editorially con- nected with the Grand Rapids Democrat, until July, 1876, when he resigned, intending to avoid politics for that year. He was af- terward induced to accept the management and editorship of the Allegan County Democrat, where he remained until Dec. 31, 1879. Jan. 7, 1880, he entered upon the editorial charge of the Allegan Democrat, under the proprietorship of George Scales. In February, 1881, he became connected with the Grand Rapids Leader as news and political editor.
Mr. Waters never held any civil office save that of Assessor of the town of Spring Lake two years and Supervisor one year. In politics he was always a Democrat until 1878, when he became a Greenbacker, having previously been for years in favor of the doctrines of that party.
William B. Weston, son of Harry and Celinda ( Wilson) Weston, was born at Warsaw, Lenawee Co., Mich., Sept. 20, 1848. In 1853 the family moved to Clinton county, where they resided un- til 1859. Mr. Weston attended the DeWitt School, of Clinton, and subsequently the Northern Indiana College at South Bend. Mr. Weston served in the 135th Ind. Vol., a 100-days Regt., mus- tered in in 1863. He entered this command at the age of 15 years and marched with the regiment into Georgia as Sherman's Reserve Corps. Its principal service consisted in picket duty and prison- ers' guard ; yet it was exposed to all the hardships of the campaign. At the expiration of the term of enlistment he returned to his home and joined Co. A, 154th Ind. Vol. one-year men, with which command he served until the close of the war, under Gen. Han- cock, commander of the Army of the Shenandoah. After one month's service with the 154th, Mr. Weston was promoted a non- commissioned officer, in which position he served as officer in charge of detail duty. He concluded his studies at South Bend in 1867 and moved to Grand Rapids early in 1868. Here he entered the factory of C. C. Comstock, in whose employ he continued as a me- chanic nine years. His first journalistic experience was on tlie Daily National, published by R. M. Slocum in April, 1878. This journal continued only three weeks. On the fall of the National Mr. Weston took a position as reporter on the Daily Enquirer, then published by Clark & Sweetland. In this office he continued until Nov. 18, 1878, when the Leader Publishing Company was formed, and Mr. Weston was appointed city editor of the new paper.
THE PIONEER
was first published in the interest of the German citizens, but was discontinued after the lapse of a few months.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
MICHIGAN STAATS ZEITUNG. .
This important German newspaper was first issued Dec. 5, 1874, by William Eichelsdorfer. Its history points out a series of successes in this branch of the American press. From its incep- tion the great majority of the Germans tendered to the enterprise a hearty support, and during the six years which have elapsed since its establishment have continued to extend to the journalist and his paper a full measure of patronage. Within a few weeks after the Zeitung was inaugurated the sheet was enlarged to a four-page paper, 33x44, well printed, newsy, and in every way a representative German weekly paper.
The Grand Rapids Sonntagsblatt was established by the editor of the Zeitung in 1877. Its columns are devoted to subjects for Sunday reading and literary selections, rendering it a very accept- able weekly journal. This enterprise, like that which brought forth the Zeitung, was very favorably received, and now meets with a full support. It is a four-page journal, 24x36 inches, and neatly printed.
The publisher is fully aware of what is due to his countrymen in Kent county; he appreciates all the kindnesses tendered to him by them; and, if his defense of German interests in the United States may be taken as a point from which to judge, he merits their con- fidence and esteem. The circulation of the Zeitung is 3,200 copies, and of the Sonntagsblatt, 1,900 copies weekly.
William Eichelsdorfer was born at Manheim, Baden, Feb. 20, 1850. During the troubles of 1870, his father, who is editor and proprietor of the tri-daily journal Neue Badische Landes Zeitung, was subjected to that persecution so common in Europe. He is a man of well-set principles, a warm advocate of the Republic, and on account of his Republican ideas is imprisoned at intervals in the garrison. Mr. Eichelsdorfer, sr., is now over 50 years of age and hopes to witness the establishment of a republican form of government in his too-much governed country. The editor of the Zeitung did not escape the iron rod of the oppressor, as he too was subjected to imprisonment and fine. He came to the United States in 1870 and made New York his temporary home. There he entered the office of the New York Abend Zeitung, where he served until the close of 1872, when he left for Fort Wayne, Ind. There he inaugurated the Fort Wayne Zeitung, in the interests of the German Democrats. This journal he continued as a tri-weekly paper for 14 months. The enterprise, however, did not prove successful, owing to the field being full. In November, 1874, on Thanksgiving Day, he arrived at Grand Rapids, bringing with him his printing office. Here he learned that three German papers were inaugurated, and failure waited on each. Not discouraged, he started the Michigan Staats Zeitung, carried the enterprise through to success, and brought it to be one of the leading German newspapers in the country.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Mr. Eichelsdorfer studied at the Institute Krebs and at the Lyceum of Manheim. His marriage with Miss Lilly Rosenthal, a native of Louisville, Ky., was celebrated at Fort Wayne, Ind., May 31, 1874.
DE STANDAARD
was established Jan. 28, 1875, by Van Streen & Schram, in the interest of the Hollanders. The political features were thoroughly Democratic. The partnership dissolved in 1877, when the jour- nal became the sole property of Mr. Van Streen. He conducted the Standaard until August, 1880, when Mr. Van Streen died; sub- sequently it was conducted by James Van Streen.
The first editor was Isaac Verney, under whom it was issued as a bi-weekly, in 1877. In March, 1880, Garfett Visschers took the position of editor, under whom the journal is now conducted, with James Van Streen, administrator of his brother, proprietor. Size 30x44. Four hands employed in composing room.
Mr. Visschers was born at Elburg, Holland, Aug. 5, 1852; came to the United States in 1871, and settled at Ridgewood, N. J .; and coming West in 1880, took up his residence at Grand Rapids, and the position as editor of the Standaard.
THE VRIJHEIDS BANIER
commenced its career in 1868, under the firm name of Verburg & Van Leewen, and edited by Mr. Van der Haar. It was started by the Republican party as its Holland organ for Kent county. Soon, however, Mr. Wm. Verburg became sole proprie- tor, and under his management the paper was continued till Nov. 1, 1871, when he sold out to the present proprietor, Mr. Jas. Van der Sluis, who has published it regularly ever since, increasing its circulation daily, till it has now nearly 2,000 sub- scribers. It is still doing, as it always has, good service for the Republican cause. As proof of this, it might be said, that over three-fourths of the Hollanders, who now have a population of about 9,000 in Grand Rapids, are Republicans. It has had dur- ing the last 10 years of its present manager, three editors; namely, Mr. J. Van Loon, who was with the proprietor about one year; then Mr. H. M. Buhrmann, who stayed with him some seven years, and now at present Mr. J. Scheffer.
Its present proprietor, Mr. Jas. Van der Sluis, was born in Arnhem, Netherland, and came to this country at the age of seven years, his parents settling in the Holland colony in 1848, his father building the first saw and grist mill in that newly settled country; but on account of inexperience, his little fortune gave out, and was compelled, after seven years of lumbering, to leave Holland, Ottawa Co., penniless, for Grand Rapids, where he entered a grocery store as book-keeper, and the present proprietor was
A
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
also engaged as store-boy. After a few years of clerking he retired to learn the sash and door trade, but on account of the dullness of the trade in Grand Rapids in 1854, he gave up that business and commenced to learn the printer's, in the Eagle office, where he worked, except the three years he was in the army, -having entered it as a private, and come out as a color-bearer,- about 17 years, till an opportunity was offered him to buy out the above named paper, and although it was then a very unprofitable affair, he has made it, by his honest and energetic management, a fair paying business. He is now 40 years of age, and has a wife and three children.
John Scheffer, the present editor, was born at Kampen, Neth- erland, in September, 1853; attended at that place the different common and high schools, acting at the same time as teacher in a private school. In his 19th year he started with his parents to America and settled in Grand Rp ids, Mich., where he had to change situations on account of the difference in language, and worked for two years in a brush factory and as a carver. In the meantime he spent his leisure hours in studying the English lan- guage. In February, 1874, he was appointed as teacher in a private school, connected with the Holland Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, which position he kept six years, when he changed it in January, 1880, for editing the Vrijheids Banier, in the place of H. M. Buhrmann, who had gone to Europe for a three months' visit. After the expiration of this time, he acted as solicitor for the agent of the Watertown Fire Insurance Company, which po- sition he held until the latter part of August, 1880, when he re- turned to accept the position of editor of the Banier, vice Mr. resigned.
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