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 45

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 45

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).

L. Whitney. Farm Machinery-Strong. Power Machinery-A. Alderman. Vehicles -- W. Ladner. Police and Gates-H. Fralick. Forage-S. L. Fuller.

GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS.

The fair grounds at Grand Rapids, so well known to the people, are the finest not only in the State, but in the Great West. Good as they were, over $6,000 were in the last two years expended un- der the direction of the Business Committee, in erecting new, and improving and repairing the old buildings, stalls, etc.

The following is an enumeration of buildings, all shingled and upon stone foundations.

The entrance building in which the offices are situated, is in form a quarter circle, size. 16x120; is two stories in height, with a fine room for ladies above, and balcony, giving a fine view of the grounds.

Fine Art Hall is in form a Grecian cross, 40x120-22 feet post. Height of dome, 82 feet. A gallery extends around inside of building. Length of gallery, 486 feet.

Pomological building, 44x120 --- 12 feet posts. Manufacturers' Hall, 40x120-12 feet posts. Agricultural Hall, 20x120-10 feet posts. Dining Hall, in form of Grecian cross, size 24x72. Me- chanics' Hall, size 40x200-16 feet posts. Carriage Hall, size 40x 150-16 feet posts-new. Poultry Hall, 24x100. Two sheep and swine sheds, each 24x100. Building contains 20 box stalls, securely built of plank for the stabling and safe keeping of bulls. Two grand stands-one 24x180, the other 24x70. Over 600 good stalls for horses and cattle, to which are being added new ones of improved form. The horse stalls are all boxed. The track is one- half mile, and equal to any in the West. The supply of water is ample, well distributed, and of a superior quality.

THE WESTERN MICHIGAN FARMERS' CLUB

was organized at Grand Rapids, Aug, 23, 1881, with the following officers: W. T. Adams, of Paris, President; Lyman Murray, of Sparta, First Vice-President. The other Vice-Presidents are W. C. Dennison, of Ada; Geo. Van Nest, of Byron; Nathan Gould, of Algoma. Frank M. Carroll, of the Agricultural World, was chosen Secretary and Librarian; Ed. M. Manley, of Walker, Recorder, and George Porter, Treasurer. The object of the club is to advance the farming interests of Western Michigan, and to this end they invite the co-operation of all farmers.

BANKS AND BANKERS OF KENT COUNTY.

In referring to the banks of this county, it will not be out of place to pass in review the varied enterprises in this connection, from early times to the present day. The first attempt to organize

458

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

a banking house within the Territory of Michigan was made in 1805, about the same time that the illustrious and reverend Gabriel Richard introduced the first printing press and newspaper among the primitive traders of the Peninsula. A good account, condensed from the paper of ex-Gov. Alpheus Felch, is given in this volume, on pages 101-7.

The first bank established in this county was the "Grand River Bank," with John Almy as President and W. A. Richmond, Cashier. The business was transacted in the office of the Kent Company, on Bridge street, and was continued for some time. According to the Hon. John Ball's statement, Mr. Coggeshall and some others became dissatisfied, and undertook to establish another bank, to be located in the Campau plat part of the village. They got a room over Smith & Evans' store, about where the west part ot Luce's block now is; and, after mnuch urging, Louis Campau consented to be President, and Simeon Johnson, Cashier. They named it the " People's Bank," got plates engraved, and some bills struck off, and even put in circulation. . The capital stock was $100,000. Under the law, it required $30,000 in specie to start on. Being all ready, the directors sent for the Bank Commissioner, Digby V.Bell, to come and make examination, and put the bank in legal operation. He came, but instead of finding the required amount of specie, he found only $6,000; and they proposed to make up the rest by a draft of Coggeshall for $20,000, on a broker in New York, and one for Ketchum, on Chicago, for the balance. Bell did not see the propriety of the arrangement, and said it would not do; and so what next was to be done ? They not only had bills out, but they had received deposits, and the specie shown was deposited to be drawn out as soon as the bank was in operation. They were anxious to go on in some way, and so far satisfied the Commissioner that they could, that he agreed to give them a month for the purpose. But then it was to be on the condition that the means on" hand should go into the hands of a receiver, for the security of the bill-holders and the depositors. When it was talked over who that man should be, they could agree on no one but John Ball. He did not at all like any connection with the matter, but, after much urging, consented to it. It was to be kept as it was for the month, except to pay out to such cash depositors as should require their money, and to redeem their bills then in circulation. Mr. Ball acted as receiver for some time, when he went East, leaving the position to devolve on E. A. Bostwick.

It is unnecessary to follow up the minutiæ of the history of this institution. In a paper prepared by Harvey Hollister, of the First National Bank, who has been associated with the banking affairs of the county almost from the beginning, the following historical sketch of their progress is taken:

The first bank or exchange office was started by Wm. J. Wells, now deceased, in 1852, in what was formerly known as the Rath-

459

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

bun block, or the " Wedge." With a very limited capital, Mr. Wells put out his modest sign, and offered to our merchants and business men his drafts on New York, Detroit, and Chicago, in ex- change for the different sorts of currency then offered, most of which, however, was George Smith & Co.'s Georgia money, and South Western Plank Road currency. A few months later, Mr. Daniel Ball offered to the business men of the town his drafts on the different cities of the country, to procure which it was neces- sary to mount up into the old wooden warehouse by outside stairs, situated where now is the elegant office of the First National Bank.

From year to year, until 1861, these two banking institutions, with comparatively limited means, furnished all the banking facili- ties enjoyed by the good people of a vigorous and growing town and the country for many miles about. Indeed, had it not been for the aid thus furnished many of the enterprises then originating and now developed into wonderful prosperity and dimensions, would never have attained any prominence whatever. Banking from 1850 to 1860 was a very different business in this country from banking at the present time. During those years, no more hazardous business could be engaged in. What with a heteroge- neous lot of irresponsible banks of issue scattered from Maine to Georgia (most of them in Georgia), beset with a class of impecuni- ous adventurers desiring and pressing for accommodations, with but very meager facilities for obtaining intelligence, or of trans- mitting moneys, it is no wonder that those who were engaged in the business often felt that they received but poor return for all their risk and labor. The rate of exchange on New York was oftentimes enormous, at one time rising as high as ten per cent. on Illinois and Wisconsin stock bank currency, and rarely running down to less than one-half per cent. on any kind of paper money or coin. These high rates, at that time, were due to two facts: 1st, The impossibility of converting the Western currency into Eastern currency, it not being current farther East than this State; and, 2d, The high rates of the express companies for trans- mitting from the East to the West and back again. It became necessary, many times, in order to keep the New York accounts good, to send special messengers to Chicago or Detroit, in order to convert the multifarious issues of paper money into New York drafts. With the incoming of the Detroit & Milwaukee rail- road, in 1859, and the Plank Road to Kalamazoo, these difficulties of transmitting currency were in a measure obviated; but the busi- ness of banking, during the first 10 years of its history,-sur- rounded by the uncertain values incident to an unorganized, un- formed commercial community-was neither pleasant nor profitable. Nevertheless, both of the institutions were of great value to this new and rapidly growing section of the State, and would have un- doubtedly continued in successful operation but for the losses attending the winding up and failure of the Illinois and Wisconsin banks, the currency of which, at the breaking ont of the great re-

460

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

bellion, formed, together with currency known as the " Daniel Ball currency," almost the entire circulation of the Grand River Valley. About the year 1860, Ledyard & Aldrich opened a discount and exchange office in the office formerly occupied by Win. J. Wells, he having built for his especial use a neat wooden office. about where the entrance to the Arcade now is, in Powers' block, and opposite to the imposing editice of the City National Bank. At this date, the aggregate banking capital of the city could hardly have been more than $50,000-certainly not more than $75.000. In May, 1861, Wm. J. Wells, owing to causes before referred to, was obliged to suspend operations; and in October, 1861, the Ex- change Bank of Daniel Ball & Co. was also obliged to go into liquidation. It is most proper here only to record the facts, that . both of these institutions yielded to the pressure of the times only after the most strenuous efforts to avert so great a calamity as it then seemed, both to themselves and to the community; and also to record the fact that, within a reasonable time, both Wells and Daniel Ball & Co. had the pleasure of liquidating in full their entire obligations, with interest.

William J. Wells, the first banker, was an early settler of the city, a man respected by all who knew him, and esteemed for his integrity, honorable and just dealings and blameless life. He died suddenly in 1874.

Daniel Ball, the other pioneer banker, was noted for his energy and business ability, combining many other enterprises with his banking establishment. He was a valuable part of a vigorous whole in the make-up of the early history of Kent county, and his relinquishment of his business relations, and retirement from the city in 1866, left a large space which has not since been entirely filled. He died in New York in 1873.

We have thus far omitted to mention the name of one Revilo Wells, who for a brief time held forth as a private banker and custodian of other people's money. His career was so brief, and yet so painful to some of the older inhabitants, that we will only say, that after making many promises to pay large rates of interest, and obtaining several thousand dollars of the people's money, he suddenly left for parts unknown, finally turning up in California, or somewhere upon the Pacific slope, where he now lives.

In December, 1861, M. L. Sweet opened the office formerly occupied by Daniel Ball & Co., and he, together with Ledyard & Fralick, .who had succeeded, in 1860, Ledyard & Aldrich, con- tinued until March 10, 1864, to transact the general banking busi- ness of the city. At this date, under the direction of several prominent business men, the First; National Bank was organ- ized and commenced operations with Martin L. Sweet as President, and Harvey J. Hollister as Cashier, with a capital paid in of $50,- 000. Even at this date, in the history of the city, this capital was deemed quite too large, and fears were entertained that it could not be safely invested in business paper.

461

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

In 1865, about one year later, the City National Bank was organ- ized and commenced business with T. D. Gilbert as President, and J. F. Baars as Cashier, with a capital of $100,000. The impetus given to all kinds of business by the large issues of the Govern- ment, growing out of the war, had its effect on the city to an un- usual degree, both in the accumulation of deposits, and also in the demand for banking accommodations, so that each year the two National banks found it necessary to increase their capacity in both capital and clerical force. In 1866, the First National Bank increased its capital to $100,000. In July, 1866, to $150,000. Again, in 1868, it was increased to $200,000, and in 1871 to $400,000. Meantime, the City National Bank had increased its capital in 1867 to $200,000; in 1871 to $300,000, .so that the pres- ent capital and undivided profits of the two banks amount to not less than $1,100,000. In 1869, the Banking House of E. P. & S. L. Fuller was opened and continued to do a prosperous and hon- orable business until 1876, when they were succeeded by Graff, Den- nis & Co., a firm comprised of young men who bid fair to retain the confidence reposed in their successors, being entirely reliable and responsible. In 1871, M. V. Aldrich, formerly of the bank- ing firm of Ledyard & Aldrich, resumed the business of banking, and with an ample capital succeeded rapidly to a lucrative busi- ness, his large line of deposits bearing testimony to the confidence reposed in his business capacity and financial ability by the peo- ple. In 1874 L. H. Randall, associating with him Mr. Darragh, who had been for several years engaged in the business of bank- ing in another section of the State, and the firm of Randall & Dar- ragh was added to the list of sound Grand Rapids bankers. One more we must not fail to mention. The Grand Rapids Savings Bank, situated on the corner of Canal and Pearl streets, with a capital of $100,000, was organized about 1865. This institution ought to be, and we think will be, so managed that the savings of the laboring classes will be largely increased. The Savings Bank of this city should have not less than $500,000 deposits, and should confine itself strictly to the savings department of business. It is a safe, reliable institution. ( One Lauterette, who in two short years defrauded the people out of about $75,000, came here from the eastern part of the State, with some reputation as a banker and a capitalist, and, with specious promises in the way of high rates of interest and low exchange, induced many of our citizens to do business with him. In a fit of insanity (?) he left. The divi- dends on the investment thus thoughtlessly made by many worthy people have been only nominal.

The Grand Rapids National Banking Company was organized in 1880. It is now one of the most prosperous financial concerns in the State. The Farmers and Mechanics' Banking Company was incorporated Feb. 1, 1879. It forins a very important link in the chain of money trading houses in the county.

The banks at Lowell, and private bankers throughout the coun-

462

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

ty have established business on such sure foundations as to give guarantees of stability. The Hyde Brothers inaugurated a bank at Rockford in 1879. They ceased the_business after a short period. Wm. Russell inangnrated a banking house at Cedar Springs

The old banking system of the "wild-cat " days worked its own downfall, and above its ruins was erected that sound system of finance now conferring benefits throughout the land. No doubt whatever can exist regarding the highly beneficial part enacted by these institutions, in that serio-comic play which raised this section of the country from its primitive condition; nor can it be ques- tioned for a moment, that to this timely organization and subse- quent good management of the latter-day banks, the people owe much of their present prosperity. The financial concerns in oper- ation here at present rest on solid foundations, which cannot fall to pieces even under extraordinary circumstances. High principles direct the officers, prudence characterizes the directors, this world bestows upon their owners a large share of her goods, and thus is conferred upon the city a few institutions which hold a remarkable place in the march of prosperity, and scatter benefits all around.

EDUCATIONAL.

Kent county has from its beginning given much attention to ed- ucational matters. From the period of Miss Page's first school, which was carried on in a little building standing on the site of the Morton House, or that of Miss Davis and Miss Reed, taught so early as 1834, at Reed's Lake, educational progress has been marked indeed. In the city, in each village, and in each township of Kent county, school buildings have been raised up; no expense has been spared to render the workings of the schools perfect, and it must be a subject for congratulation to the people, who made much sac- rifice of time and money, to behold now the results of their earn- estness in the matter, and the zeal manifested by both city and township school officials.

The total expenditure in the county for schools in 1880 was $185,806.78; the amount paid teachers, $94,596; the sum dne on school property, $84,113.21; the value of school property, $560,295; the number of brick school-houses, 30; number of frame school- houses, 196; total number of children enrolled, between the ages of five and 20 years, 22,731; number in attendance during the year, 15,494. This is the work of only a comparatively few years. The system and the public enterprise which fosters it may be said to have its origin here in 1836-'7; but, as has been stated, the found- ations of the present school buildings of Kent county, and the very system upon which the schools are conducted, are the work of the years succeeding the war for the Union, continued to the present time.

463

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

As it is the purpose of the writer to deal with the schools in the history of each city, village and township, it is considered only necessary here to treat the subject of schools in a general manner. The new school law, and the action taken under it in Kent county, offers, however, some facts worthy of notice.

The township superintendents of schools of Kent county met at the County Clerk's office Aug. 2, 1881, as the new school law provides, to elect a Board of County Examiners. There were present the superintendents :

Ada-Mrs. Mary O. Ferris. Algoma-Miss Nellie Post. Al- pine-Benj. F. Bond. Bowne-James Goggins. Byron-Win. P. Nelson. Caledonia-Eugene A. Carpenter. Cannon-Aaron Clark. Cascade-H. C. Dennison. Courtland-Wm. Hessler. Gaines- Chas. G. Johnson. Grand Rapids-E. A. Fletcher. Grattan-R. A. Weeks. Lowell-Wm. Chapman. Nelson-Geo. W. Wheel- ock. Oakfield-Wm. H. H. Davis. Paris-Wm. S. Denison. Plainfield-Jas. L. Smith. Solon-Miss Maud S. Wamsley. Sparta-J. H. Maynard. Spencer-S. B. Cowels. Tyrone-Byron Wheelon. Vergennes -- Wm. A. Waldron. Walker -- Wm. Gill. Wyoming-Nelson F. Wolf.

The convention organized by the election of Edgar A. Fletcher, of Grand Rapids township, as Chairman. The law provides a secretary in the person of the county clerk, and in that gentleman's absence Deputy Moore officiated. A board of three county exam- iners-the number provided for by law-was then chosen as fol- lows: For three-year term-George A. Ranney, Grattan. Two years -- Edgar A. Fletcher, Grand Rapids township. One year- W. M. Chapman, Lowell.

By the terms of the law the member of the board whose term of office soonest expires is chairman of the body. In case of a tie the law provides that the secretary of the convention shall give the casting vote. A tie occurred in the vote for a member for the short term, Chapman, of Lowell, receiving 12 votes to 12 for Engene A. Carpenter, of Caledonia, and Deputy Moore voted off the tie by voting for Chapman. The newly elected board will organize and elect a secretary, which officer is by law made the executive officer of the board. The duties of this board are the examination of teachers, the granting of certificates, and in a general way to perform the duties in respect to the schools which formerly devolved upon county superintendents. Under the new school laws, which took effect July 1, the office of township super- intendent was abolished. The duties of that office will be divided between the county Board of Examiners and the chairman of the township Board of Inspectors. But for this year the township superintendents will continue to act as school inspectors and as chairman of the respective township boards. As such chairmen it will be their duty, in the several counties, to meet at the county seat, Tuesday, August 2, and elect the three county examiners pro- vided for by the new law.

464

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

KENT SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE.

In the year 1856, John Ball, James McKee, Wm. G. Henry and A. O. Currier met in Mr. Ball's office and were speaking on scien- tific subjects when Mr. Ball suggested the formation of a lyceum of Natural History. Acting on the suggestion, a meeting was called and a society formed, under the name of "Lyceum of Natural History." The active members of this association were A. O. Currier, John Ball, James McKee, Dr. Charles Shepard, Dr. Parker, Prof. F. Everett, Wright L. Coffinberry, Dr. De Camp, and Wm. G. Henry. The meetings were kept up with a good degree of interest until the breaking out of the war, when it apparently ceased to exist.

At the commencement of its operation, the society contemplated having a museum and library. Prof. Everett had a cabinet of minerals, geological specimens and fossils, which he used in his academy; also an extensive botanical collection. These (without donating) he placed in the society's room. At the re-organization, they were donated. Mr. Currier and Dr. De Camp in a similar way placed their collections. Others contributed, and soon the society had a respectable museum.

J. Wickwire Smith, son of Dr. Smith, organized a society called the " Kent Institute," over which he presided. The consolidation of the " Lyceum of Natural History " and the "Kent Institute " took place Jan. 12, 1868, a few months before death snatched away the youthful founder of the latter, and a short time after his sug- gestion to consolidate was acted npon.

Subsequently an alliance was formed between the Kent County Institute and the Board of Education.

MEDICAL MEN AND ASSOCIATIONS.

In the earlier days of Michigan, years before the American pi- oneers came to raise the Territory to its destined place among the sisterhood of States, it was customary for the French mission- ary and doctor to go first and prepare the way for the trader, hunter and settler. The French manners and customs disappeared and the American pioneer was called upon to prepare the way for the American missionary and doctor. This change was quite in accord with the spirit of the age, which required at least the pros- pect of a demand before a supply was tendered.

Toward the close of 1835, Doctors Wilson and Shepard were found among the settlers, repairing systems broken down by toil or temporarily disarranged by the terrible miasms which then prostrated the week and strong alike.

Dr. Higginson settled at Grand Rapids in 1839, where he prac- ticed until 1841, when he returned to Brattleboro, Vt.

Dr. Bowman arrived next, and became a member of the medical society at its organization. His death occurred in 1865.

465

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

The medical profession was represented in Kent county in 1843 by Drs. Shepard, Winslow and Platt, and Dr. Wilson, who located here a short time before Dr. Shepard, having died in 1839. Dr. Jason Winslow performed the first surgical operation in the valley, having reduced a dislocated hip for Joel Guild, Jan. 1, 1835. Winslow then resided at Gull Prairie, subsequently settled at Grand Rapids, and died there March 15, 1843. He was a man who possessed a good deal of native genius and talent.

From 1843 to the present time the profession has added to its roll many names well known in connection with medical affairs in the valley of the Grand river. Among the pioneer practitioners Dr. Shepard alone remains. Dr. Platt is the senior of the old resident physicians. In the histories of the medical associations of the valley and county, the names of the doctors who have made this and neighboring counties their homes are given ; in the bio- graphical pages of the work many of them are noticed and thus this portion of the county's record is rendered correct, and as complete as it can be practically made.

THE WESTERN MICHIGAN MEDICAL SOCIETY

was organized May 22, 1878. The meeting was held at Sweet's Hotel, with Dr. H. F. Thomas, of Allegan, Chairman, and Dr. C. J. Woolway, of Grand Rapids, Secretary. The charter members of the society comprised Drs. C. H. Maxime, John Brady, G. K. John- son, A. Platt, C. Shepard, G. B. Miller, Win. Wood, M. A. Shafer, A. Hazlewood, J. O. Edie, O. H. Chipman, E. J. Emmons, A. Ford, jr., Fred Kuhn, S. R. Wooster, J. A. McPherson, J. B. Griswold, F. A. Rutherford, L. T. Richards, E. Boise, C. J. Wool- way, all of Kent county, with C. Korn, of Casnovia ; M. Holland and H. W. Slocum, of Lamont ; A. P. Drake, Hastings ; H. F. Thomas, F. M. Calkin, W. H. Bills, H. S. Lay, and E. Amsden of Allegan county ; F. B. Wood, Big Rapids ; and J. Mulheron, Greenville.

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

History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 45

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