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 51

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 51

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).

Tory Smith (deceased). One of that noble band of pioneers who were among the founders of Kent county, was born in Burlington, Vt., Nov. 12, 1798. In 1832 he removed near Rochester, N. Y., where he followed farming. Two years he carried the mail from Rochester over the noted Ridge road. In the autumn of 1837 he came with his brother Sydney Smith to Ada, Kent Co. He en- tered 50 acres on sec. 35 and subsequently 40 more. He was one of the organizers of Ada tp. and was the first and only Whig voter for two years after the tp. was organized. He owned an interest in, and ran a ferry across the Thornapple, from that date till the bridge was built. March 4, 1823, he was mar- ried to Jane Rodin, by whom he had nine children; of these six are living, viz. : Laura (widow of Judge Philander Tracy), Charles, William (deceased), Henry, George B., Mary (de- ceased), Captain Sydney B., Frederick (deceased), and Eliza (wife ot Charles Skellinger.) Mr. Smith died Oct. 6, 1870, after a long life of usefulness. Mrs. Smith died June 22, 1868.

Henry Smith, proprietor of Ada Hotel, was born in Burling- ton, Vt., Feb. 4. 1830. His parents were Tory and Jane Smith. He came with his parents to Kent county in 1837. Here in the midst of primeval nature he was reared to maturity, receiving his education in the pioneer schools. Mr. Smith established a broom

516

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

factory in 1846 and followed manufacturing brooms till 1874. In 1875 he removed to Ada and opened a hotel. In 1880 he purchased the Heath House at Reed City, and has since run it. Mr. Smith was married Jan. 1, 1854, to Miss Catharine Clark, a daughter of Harvey Clark, born in Plattsburg, N. Y., Aug. 6, 1836. This union was blest with two children, viz .: William H., born Jan. 17, 1858, was married Feb. 5, 1880, to Georgia H. Densmore, and had one child, Angie G., born Nov. 29, 1880. Hattie, the young- est, was born May 26, 1867. Mr. Smith is owner of a valuable farm of 170 acres on sec. 35; of this 135 acres is under a state of cultivation, the fruits of Mr. Smith's untiring labors. Mr. Smith resided on his farm till May, 1875, when he purchased his hotel in Ada, and since has lived somewhat retired. Mr. Smith is the pro- prietor of a first-class hotel. He is a man of good social character and bears an honorable reputation. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a lady of more than ordinary worth.

John O. Smith, M. D., one of the first physicians of Kent county, was born in New Milford, Conn., in 1807. His mother dying when he was but a small child, he went to live with his uncle, John Orton, who gave him his education in the high schools of New Milford. He afterward learned the cabinet trade, but his health failing, he returned to his uncle, who was a physician, and commenced the study of that profession. He then taught school in order to obtain means to buy medical books, and at the same time studying nights and leisure hours. After his school closed he returned to New Milford and attended lectures, etc., and subsequently attended the Hartford Medical College and graduated as Doctor of Medicine. In 1837 he came to Ada, Kent Co., Mich., and settled on a farm of 240 acres, on secs. 14 and 15. Here he practiced among the whites and Indians. His circuit included a large portion of Kent county. He followed the Indian trails and by-paths by night and by day, whenever called upon. He was truly the pioneer doctor of Kent county. Dr. Smith was married in 1851, to Miss Mary A. McHugh, who took up the study and practice of medicine, is still living, and is a successful practitioner. Aug. 25, 1879, Dr. Smith departed this life in the midst of useful- ness, loved and respected by many.

Homer P. Watters was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in Octo- ber, 1814. His parents were natives of Connecticut and New York. At the age of 11 years he was thrown upon the world to carve out a place and fortune for himself. He found a home with a farmer, and remained until of age. He went to Lyons, Oakland Co., in 1837, and nine years later to Plainfield, this county, where he purchased a farm. He moved to Whitneyville in 1855 and kept a hotel two years, and built a hotel in Cascade, which he operated seven years; after which he engaged in farming, removing in 1866 to Keene, Ionia Co. In 1870 he purchased a hotel in Ada, which he man- aged until 1874, when he purchased SO acres of land on sec. 24. He was married Oct. 11, 1837, to Laura, daughter of Stephen and

517

ADA TOWNSHIP.

Anna Gardner, born in Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., Nov. 21, 1819. Their 12 children are living, and are: Delia A. (wife of H. M. Clark), Francis A. (Mrs. L. Hooper), Olive L. (wife of D. C. Marsh), Charles M. (married Mary Langley), Marilla E. (Mrs. Albert Hus- ton), Mary J. (wife of Edgar S. Morse), Chauncy E. (married Ellen Horn), Adella (wife of Dr. John Durmon), Devillo H., Hattie M. (Mrs. T. W. Preston), Delos C. and Dwight E. Mr. Watters is a Democrat.

Anderson Wride was born in Yorkshire, England, Dec. 18, 1828. His parents, John and Mary Wride, were also English. His father was a teamster in the French Revolution, and witnessed the battle of Waterloo, when the army of Napoleon was ruined. Mr. Wride came to the United States in May, 1850, having at- tained the age of manhood on his native soil. He spent a year in the State of New York and came to Grand Rapids in 1852. He purchased his present farm of 60 acres, on secs. 29 and 32, which he cleared and improved from the stump. He was married Dec. 25, 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Sarah King, born in Leicestershire, Eng., in 1838. They have four children, as follows: Ellen (Mrs. S. R. Peck), Esther E., Geo. A. and Irvin. Mr. Wride proved his loyalty to the land of his adoption by en- listing in defense of her flag in August, 1864. He was enrolled in Co. B, New 3d Reg., M. V. I., was subsequently transferred to Co. F, and was honorably discharged in June, 1866. Himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church.

ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

This township was named in honor of a steamer of that name plying on the Grand river, between Grand Rapids and Grand Haven at the time the township was organized in 1849. It is bounded on the north by Solon, east by Courtland, south by Plain- field and on the west by Sparta. It was formerly attached to Plain- field, and was constituted a regular Congressional township by the Legislature in March, 1849.

· The first white settler in Algoma was Merlin Hunter, who located in the spring of 1843, in the southeast corner of the town, on what is now a part of the village of Rockport. In a short time, the same summer, came Smith Lapham, the well-known pioneer, who still resides in Rockford. He settled on the present site of the village, and erected a mill-dam there that fall, and in the summer of 1844 built a saw-mill. This was the first dam and mill built on Rouge river. It would be in keeping here to remark that Mr. Lapham was also a pioneer of Washtenaw county, having purchased land there in the fall of 1825, and located on it the following spring.

The next family to locate in this township was that of John Long, wlio settled on sec. 27, in 1844. In 1845 Joshua Briggs and family settled on the Ronge river a little north of Rockford, and the same year Henry Helsel settled on sec. 21; also Benja min Pet- tingill and his son, B. N. Pettingill, came in 1845. Among the other early settlers were John Byers, John Jacobs, Jacob Ipe, John M. Smith; James Smith, James Barnes, Daniel Youngblood, James Mosher and Messrs. Emmons, Bowers and Christy, all within the first 10 years. Mr. Emmons was the first settler on the west line north of the Rouge river. Mr. Morningstar was the first to pene- trate the forest and settle the northwestern part of the township .. He was soon followed by John Dorne, and Daniel Youngblood. They were then three and a half miles from Mr. Helsel, who was their nearest neighbor.

The first election in Algoma was held April 2, 1842, in the Jacobs school-house. There were 84 votes cast, and the following officers elected: Supervisor, Smith Lapham ; Clerk, William Thorn- ton; Treasurer, Albert L. Pickett; Justices, Morgan Allen, John H. Jacobs and John Hamilton; Highway Commissioners, William Hunter, Joshua Briggs, Jacob Morningstar; School Inspectors, H. N. Stinson and Morgan Allen; Constables, James Fowler, Win- slow Tower, William Davis and William Turner; Directors of the Poor, Merlin Hunter and William Turner. The various supervisors and their time of service are as follows; Smith Lapham, 1849-'55 and 1857-'58; James Mosher, 1853-'54, 1858-'59; Geo. H. White,

(518)

519

ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

1865-'66; Morgan Allen, 1856-'57. 1861-'65; William Thornton, 1859-'61; Horatio N. Stinson, 1865-'77 ; Erwin C. Watkins, 1866-'67; Neal McMillan, 1877-'78; Oscar House, 1878-'79; John T. Gould, 1878-'79, and J. Thayer Gould, 1879-'82. The present officers are, Supervisor, J. Thayer Gould; Town Clerk, Chas. F. Sears; Treas- urer, Ralph Depew; Justices, Smith Lapham, D. W. C. Burch, Walter Chipman and Andrew Chalmers; School Superintendent, Miss Nellie Post; School Inspector, James Montgomery, jr .; High- way Commissioner, James M. Cramner; Constables, Lewis H. Wilkinson and Steven Davidson.

- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

When the township was first settled there were a few Indians in this locality, but the woodsman's ax and the progress of civilization drove them from their once favored hunting grounds. The north- ern part of Algoma is mostly pine land (or was), and is not all so fertile as the southern part, although there is some very excellent land in that part of the township. Through the central and south- ern portions the land was originally covered, for the most part, with oak openings interspersed with maple, beach and elm. There was also some pine on every section. The land along the Rouge river is very broken, and the soil is of clay and sand, intermixed withi gravel. The pine lands are generally sandy, and well adapted to the raising of wheat and fruit. Large quan. tities of the latter are raised annually. There is scarcely any swamp land in the township. There is one swamp of about 40 acres on the farm of Mr. L. Hamblin, on section 18. This swamp, however, is put to good use, as Mr. Hamblin raises thereon a fine crop of cranberries each year. The soil is generally sandy, es- pecially along the river, and where the pine abounded. At first, the land was bought in large tracts by speculators, who held it un- til the pine was culled, then 'sold it out in small tracts to actual settlers. At one time J. B. Chipman, of New York, owned nearly a thousand acres of land, chiefly timbered with pine, in the nortli - east part of the township. In 1854 his son, Walter Chipman, a lawyer by profession, came to look at the land, and, being pleased with backwoods life, concluded to remain, and is still here, on sec- tion 2.

Rouge river is the principal stream of Algoma. It enters the town on section 30, from Sparta; thence southeast for a short dis- tance; thence northeast; thence east and southeast to the center of the southeast quarter of section 25; thence south and a little west to the southeast corner of the village of Rockford, where it enters Plainfield. It is a good-sized, swift stream, furnishing plenty of water-power for the manufactories and mills along its banks. This stream is used still, and has been used quite extensively for run- ning pine logs to the various mills below, on this and Grand river.

Cedar creek comes from Solon, enters the northeast corner of Algoma, flows southwest to the northeast corner of section 16,

520

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

' where it unites with a branch called the Little Cedar, which also comes from the northeast, but further to the south. From here it flows south and enters the Rouge river on section 22. This stream furnishes good water-power, which is used in two places.

Spring creek, so named from the numerous springs which form it, and sometimes called Wicked creek, is about three miles long from head to mouth. It rises in the western part of Courtland, flows southwest, crossing section 13, and enters Rouge river on section 23. This stream, though but a mere spring brook, runs sufficiently swift to furnish power for 12 mills, eight of them formerly in Algoma, but only six at present. A fine spring brook also rises in the western part of Courtland, flows across section 25, and en- ters the Rouge river at that point. This stream is two and one-half miles in length, and is remarkable for its nearly uniform size throughout its length, and during the whole year.

In the northwest part of this township, on the lines of Sparta and Solon, are a number of small lakes, among which are the fol- lowing: £ Camp lake, a long, narrow lake, nearly one mile in length, situated in the west part of Algoma, on sections 7 and 18; its outlet is a small stream which flows northwest and enters Rouge river, Long lake, nearly as large, but lies mostly on section 31, Solon township; Round lake, smaller, and lies on the line between Solon and Algoma, as also do Sand and Big lakes. On and near the line of Algoma and Sparta are the two Indian lakes and Squaw lake. The outlet of these latter lakes is a small stream, some- times called Indian creek, which flows across section 1 of Sparta, and enters Rouge river from the northeast. These lakes abound in small fish, such as bass, perch, etc. . Marl, or bog lime, has been found on the south side of Big lake on the south line of section 32, in Solon township, much of which has been burned and used for building purposes.

ROCKFORD.

Rockford is the largest village in Algoma, and is situated in the extreme southeastern part of the township. It is on Rouge river, five miles from its mouth, and 14 miles from Grand Rapids, on the Grand Rapids & Indiana R. R. The first settler here was Merlin Hunter, previously mentioned as the first settler of the township; and the next was Smith Lapham, who still resides in Rockford. A postoffice was established here in 1845, with Smith Lapham as postmaster, but the office and the village were then called Laphamville. Mr. Lapham had no mail bag, and he car- ried the mail in his pockets, once a week, from Plainfield. In 1848 White & Rathbun, of Grand Rapids, opened the first store in Laphamville. The village was first platted in 1856, and replatted in 1865 and the name changed to Rockford. It was regularly in- corporated by an act of the Board of Supervisors in June, 1866. The first village officers were : President, Smith Lapham; Clerk,

521

ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

George French; Treasurer, J. W. Smith. Rockford now contains 17 stores, one meat market, two harness shops, two shoemakers, three blacksmith shops, one wagon and carriage factory, one foundry, two livery stables, one cooper shop, mills, etc., five physi- cians and a photograph gallery. There are also two good hotels,- the Lapham House and one kept by Lewis H. Wilkinson and his mother, on Main street. Rockford has other institutions and societies which we shall mention separately.

Rockford Mills were erected by Chase & Judson in 1852. They then had two run of burrs, but now there are four. Re-modeled about 1867, by Messmore & Watkins, who put in new machinery, and a new water-wheel. It is now owned and run by Watkins & Ferry. They run night and day, doing mostly merchant work. The flour is of the finest quality and finds ready market in Petosky, Big Rapids, Cadillac and other good towns and cities. There is also another small mill in Rockford, run by a Mr. Dennis.

The planing mill of Allen & Rykert is situated on the old site of the Lapham saw-mill which was built in 1844. It was built first as a wood and iron machine shop, by William Thornton, in 1865. It was re-built afterward for a planing mill by Stevens & Scott, who also manufactured sash, doors and blinds. After chang- ing hands several times it finally, in 1878, came into the hands of the present firm, who are doing all kinds of planing, scroll-sawing re-sawing, etc. The water-wheel is one of Mr. Rykert's own make, and is a good one to utilize the water-power. It is called the com - bined paddle and bucket wheel.

The saw and planing mill of Tabor & Hopkins is situated at the west end of the old Lapham dam on the Rouge river at Rockford, and is thelargest lumber manufactory on the river. It was erected in 1871 by Freeman Tabor and E. J. Hopkins. James Tabor bought the former's interest in 1879. They now make the manu- facture of siding a specialty. It is made from the log, on what is known as the rift siding machine. Mr. Tabor is the inventor of this ingeniously constructed machine, and there is but one other machine like it in existence, owned by his brother Horace. The motive power is steam, which is generated in two boilers 20 feet long by 42 inches in diameter. The engine is 26 by 14 inches. The machinery consists of the latest improvements, and everything is made convenient so as to facilitate the work. They make 20,000 feet of lumber, besides 14,000 feet of siding, daily; and employ 30 men.

The Morningstar saw-mill was built in 1852 by Norman Ack- ley, and refitted and rebuilt in 1866 by Solomon & Cain. Its capacity is about 7,000 feet of lumber or 14,000 shingles, daily. It is now owned by Mr. Cain's widow and operated by J. Thayer Gould. It is located on section 16, on Cedar creek. One and a half miles south of this is another mill, and a little over a mile up the creek a steam saw-mill was erected in 1868 by Ammon Fox,

522

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

with a capacity of cutting 14,000 feet of lumber or 15,000 shingles per day.

There is a portable detached steam saw-mill on the west side of section 11, on Little Cedar, erected in 1869 by McClure & Kidder. This mill cuts 10,000 feet of lumber or 15,000 shingles per day. It will be better known as the "Hodag" Mill. This name was given it on account of the fact that an unknown and mysterious animal was heard, seen, and even fired at in the woods near here, some years ago; and as no other name could be found for it, it was called the " Hodag;" and when the mill was built, it was the name given it by the people of Burchville.

Zimrod Burnham built a small water-power saw-mill on the northwest quarter of section 5, in 1860, and it cuts about 3,000 feet per day.

Edgerton Mill. In 1854 Harvey Porter erected a shingle mill on Spring creek, a little north of Edgerton, and in 1875 David Monroe erected a large flouring mill by the side of it, and has owned and operated both much of the time since. The flouring mill is three and one-half stories high, and is filled with grain and the latest improved machinery. He runs night and day and is unable to fill his orders. Such evidence is proof that he makes the very best of flour. There is also a shingle mill just below the railroad track, but it is not used much of late.

Town Line Mills, on Spring creek are run by Geo. W. Collins. He has recently discontinued the grist-mill, and devotes his time to the manufacture of lumber and shingles.

There have also been several other mills in Algoma that have either gone down or been destroyed by fire.

There is also a well known saw-mill on House creek, just west of Edgerton, known as the "Star Mill." It will be observed that this stream has three names given to it, viz .: Wicked creek, House creek and Spring creek. This mill was erected in 1846, by New- ton Andrews, and rebuilt about 1869, by E. Bradfield & Sons. It was purchased in 1878 by Wm. L. Beardsley, who is now making all kinds of lumber from both pine and hard wood. The water- wheel is a double turbine. Mr. Beardsley employs eight meu, uses the friction feed, and has also a gang edger. He is doing a good business, and makes good lumber.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Rockford Lodge, No. 247, I. O. O. F., was instituted and or- ganized Nov. 27, 1874, by Past Grand H. Baldry, of Enterprise Lodge, No. 212, Grand Rapids, Mich. The following are the names of the charter members: E. J. Hopkins, Wm. Powell, N. E. Donney, W. W. Wilson, E. Hays, H. R. Borigo, E. C. Brooks, and L. N. Rice. The following persons were also initi- ated into the lodge: W. H. Lockerby, G. W. Rounds, E. A. Morris, O. Saunders and D. W. C. Burch. After the initiation the permanent organization was completed. There were added to

523

ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

the membership of this order during the month of December, three persons, making a total membership of 16, with which to begin the year 1875. During this year 13 more were added to that num- . ber; during 1876, eight were added, five in 1867, seven in 1878, 10 in 1879, 14 in 1880, and up to Sept. 1, 1881, nine were added, making the present membership 82, less four withdrawn by card, five suspended, and one by death. The lodge at present is in a prosperous condition. Its growth has been slow but healthy and good.

Rockford Lodge, I. O. G. I. No. 868, was organized June 1, 1878, with the following officers : Mrs. A. M. Peake, W. C. T., Miss Lizzie Peake, W. V. T; Rev. E. Havs, Chaplain; Emmor Keech, W. S .; Miss Ida Judson, W. F. S .; Mrs. C. E. Blakeley, W T .; T. N. Barker, W. M .; Mrs. T. Barker, W. I. G. and O. F Hyde, P. W. C. T. There were 17 charter members. This so ciety owns the furniture, regalia, apparatus, etc., it uses, all of which is paid for and money in the treasury. The society has wielded a great influence in the temperance cause in Rockford and vicinity. The present officers are : James Cromwell, W. C. T .; Mrs. A. Peake, W. V. T .; D. L. Reynolds, W. S .; Elmer Saun- ders, W. F. S .; John Tuttle, W. M .; Hattie Lapham, W. I. G .; Frank Prescott, W. O. G .; Mrs. J. L. Smith, W. C .; Annie Whit- ney, W. A. S .; Lottie Barnard, W. R. H. S .; Mattie Smith, W. G. H. S .; Nettie Stinson, W. D. M .; and N. M. Richards, P. W. C. T. Meetings every Saturday night at their hall on Main street.

. Rockford Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M., was organized in 1868, since which time the lodge has been burned out twice; but, Phoenix-like, it has arisen from its ashes and now has a well-fur- nished room over the store of McMillan. The regular communi- cations are the Thursday on or before the full moon of each month. The present officers are: Neal McMillan, W. M .; Geo. A. Sage, S. W .; Philip Kline, J. W .; H. N. Stinson, Secretary, and Fred- erick Steagman, Treasurer.

Lovell Moore, No. 88, R. A. M., was organized in 1873. They occupy the same room that Lodge No. 246, F. & A. M., has. They are in a prosperous condition. The present officers are: Jackson Coon, H. P .; S. W. Biggs, R .; W. C. Young, S .; G. C. McCon- nel, C. of H .; James Dockeray, P. S .; Neal McMillan, R. A. C .; H. N. Stinson, Sec. : Charles Armstrong, Treas .; Geo. A. Sage, M. 3d. V. C .; E. B. Huntington, M. 2d. V. C .; E. C. Bellus, M. 1st. V. C.

Acacia Chapter, No. 1, O. E. S., was organized in 1870; they occupy Masonic Hall. The present officers are: Mrs. E. C. Stinson; W. M .; James Dockeray, W. P .; Heber Cowdin, A. C .; Emily Coon, Treasurer; H. N. Stinson, Secretary; Clara C. Dock- eray, C .; Eliza J. Burch, A. C .; Roxanna Hilton, W .; George Hawkins, Sentinel.

There once existed a charitable secret society called the I. O. P. It flourished for a time, but has become extinct.

524

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Algoma Lodge, No 639, I. O. G. T., was organized March 11, 1869, by Judge Benj. A. Harlan, of Grand Rapids, in school-house No.4, with 28 charter members. The following is a list of the first officers: Andrew Chalmers, W. C. T .; Emily Walters, W. V. T .; John Chalmers, W. Sec .; Benj. A. Soules, W. T .; Alfred M. Grant, W. F. S .; Forrest Dill, W. M .; Lydia Hyler, W. D. M., Ralph Depew, W. O. G .; Catharine Walters, W. I. G .; John De- pew, W. C .; Maria Spalding, W. R. S,; and John Lewis, W.L. S. This society erected a hall, 24 by 36 feet, in 1871, on section 29, Algoma township. A. Chalmers has been the Lodge-Deputy ever since the first quarter. This society is one of the oldest and most reliable regularly incorporated lodges in the State. They keep their building insured, are out of debt, and have $40 in the trea- sury. Drunkenness is unknown in the neighborhood since the establishment of this society. The present officers are: James Shangle, W. C. T .; Mrs. James H. Truax, W. V. T .; Frankie Barkman, W. S .; Henry Montgomery, W. A. S .; Catharine Chal- mers, W. T .; Jas. H. Truax, W. F. S .; Harman W. Fall, W. M .; James Coles, jr., W. O. G .; Josephine Truax, W. I. G .; Andrew Chalmers, W. C .; James Chalmers, P. W. C. T. and also District Deputy for Kent county, and attends to organizing new lodges; Mary Truax, W. R. S .; Annie Chalmers, W. L. S.

CHURCHES AND OTHER SOCIETIES.

The First Regular Baptist Church was organized in 1854, by Rev. J. W. C. Covey, who was the first pastor for a few months only; then Father Benjamin supplied them for a short time.

The first constituent members were Deacon George Hutchins, Isabella Hutchins, Deacon John Watkins, John D. Watkins, Miss Mary Watkins, Ann E. Hoyle, Asenath Gilbert, Mr. Long, Char- lotte Smith, Mrs. Mercy Briggs, Prudence Tamer, Jane Eggleston, Phobe Stilwell, Clarinda Stilwell, and Fannie Allen. The various pastors, who have had charge of this society, are: Revs. J. W. C. Covey, Hiram Stilwell, Mr. Wellman, Volney Powell, E. J. Ste- vens, James M. Morrison, C. B. Smith, L. M. Wilkie, A. M. Buck, and D. E. Hills, the present pastor. This society, in connection with the citizens of (Laphamville) Rockford, organized March 9, 1857, a building society, known as the "Baptist Church and Society of Laphamville." They erected their house in 1858, and Dr. R. L. Blakely was the clerk of this society. The Baptists now have ser- vices each Sabbath morning and evening, by the pastor, and Sab- bath-school at 12 M. each Sunday.

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 51

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