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 52

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 52

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M. E. Church, Laphamville class, of Grand Rapids district, Michigan Conference, was organized in the fall of 1853, and an- nexed to Greenville Circuit by Rev. David Burns, Presiding Elder. Rev. A. R. Bartlett was the first preacher in charge. The next year the district was divided, and the western part called Laphamville Circuit, and placed under the pastoral care of Rev. W. W. John- son. The pastors that followed were: Rev. J. W. Cawthorn, 1856;

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ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

Rev. F. Glass, 1857; Rev. Amos Wakefield, 1858; Rev. Wm. Mc- Knight, 1860; Rev. Wm. Swift, 1862; Rev. David Engle, 1864; Rev. T. Edwards, 1865; Rev. Wm. Riley, 1871; Rev. W. A. Bron- son, 1873; Rev. Ezra Hayes, 1874; Rev. Geo. L. Cole, 1876; Rev. Washington Gardner, 1877; Rev. M. D. Terwilliger, 1879; Rev. I. B. Tallman, 1880. The society built a house of worship in 1865, which was enlarged in 1877. There are now 160 communicants. Services each Sabbath morning and evening by the pastor; Sab- bath-school each Sunday at 12 M.

The First Congregational Church was organized February, 1847, in the house of Dr. R. L. Blakeley, by Rev. James Ballard, a pioneer preacher of Grand Rapids, who held a series of meetings in Lap- hamville for three weeks previously. There were 15 charter mem- bers. The several pastors were: Revs. Hard, Sessions, Isaac Barker, Wm. Irons, Elisha Miller, J. S. Kidder, Richard Redcoff, Mr. Spencer and Wm. E. Caldwell. They erected a house in 1872-'3. They worshiped prior to this in the Baptist house, a while in the school-house, and a part of the time rented a hall. The first Sab- bath-school of this village was organized by the Congregationalists in 1847. Rev. Mr. Ballard and Dr. Blakeley were the prime movers in this direction. Mr. Ballard obtained a library from some school in the East and presented it in the name of that school to the Lap- hamville S. S. This library still exists and is kept by Mrs. Dr. Blakeley.

The Protestant Episcopal Mission was organized in Rockford, July 13, 1879. David Waugh is Warden; Geo. T. Saunders, Treas- urer; and H. N. Stinson, Clerk. Rev. Wm. H. Sparlin holds di- vine services in Good Templars' Hall the 3d Sunday of each month, morning and evening. There are at present (August, 1881) 26 communicants, and steps are being taken toward erecting a chapel.

Religio-Philosophical .- There is a society by the above name in Rockford, commonly called " Spiritualists," and most of its adher- ents are Spiritualists, but some are unbelievers of other classes. It was established by W. F. Jameson, in 1863. They built a house in 1873. They have no set forms of worship or exercises. Some of their lecturers open their exercises with devotional forms, and the next one who rises to speak, at the same assemblage, can de- nounce God, heaven, hell and the devil with impunity.

ROCKFORD REFORM CLUB.

A meeting was held in the Congregational church Feb. 25, 1877, and the people were addressed by Alfred Mellish, of Grand Rapids. Many signed the temperance pledge, and speeches were made by several of the citizens; and it was agreed to meet March 2, to organize a temperance society. They met and organized by electing G. T. Saunders, President; Neal McMillan, 1st Vice- President; Frank Stone, 2d Vice-President; D. L. Reynolds, Cor- responding Secretary; C. N. Hyde, Financial Secretary, and

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Sanford Rykert, Treasurer. They adjourned to meet March 6 in first session. They met then and named the society the " Rockford Reform Club." All persons who signed the con- stitution and by-laws became members by paying a fee of 10 cents into the treasury. They fitted up the Centennial building on Courtland street, at a cost of $3,000, and all was burned in 1878. They met immediately and circulated a subscription paper, and in a few days were enabled to go on and erect a hall of their own, which they did. It is 30x60 feet and two-stories high. The present officers are: Frank Prescott, President; Geo. T. Saunders, Ist Vice-President; Thos. Hogan, 2d Vice-President; Neal McMil- lan, 3d Vice-President; A. B. Gates, Corresponding Secretary ; C. G. Hyde, Financial Secretary; F. C. Stone, Treasurer; H. War- ner, Steward; A. C. Hyde, Marshal; Henry Warner, Sergeant-at- Arms.

Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of Rockford .- Jan. 12, 1875, a meeting was held at Mrs. O. L. Prescott's, to take into consideration the organization of a society. Temporary organiza- tion was effected and a committee appointed to draft constitution and by-laws, which were adopted at the next meeting, Jan. 19, 1875, and the following officers elected: Mrs. Prescott, President; Mrs. Eld. Powell, 1st Vice-President; Mrs, Rev. E. Hayes, 2d Vice-President; Mrs. Rice, Secretary; Mrs. Miller, Treasurer. They have held public mass meetings, and worked in various ways to banish intemperance from Rockford and vicinity, and have done great good. The present officers are: Mrs. C. G. Hyde, President; Mrs. Dr. Waugh, Vice-President; Mrs. L. E. Crocker, Secretary; Mrs. O. Sanders, Treasurer.

SCHOOLS.

The first school taught in Algoma was in the village of Laphamville (now Rockford), by Dr. R. L. Blakeley. The old frame building of years ago has been replaced by a fine three-story brick, 60x63 feet, at a cost of $20,000. It was erected in 1870, and occupied first in 1871, at which time the school was graded, and known as the Rockford Union School. The average daily attend- ance for 1880 was 146, besides foreign scholars, 28 in number. Rockford has a school of which any town might be proud. It sends forth many skilled teachers and other talented students. There are 11 other school-houses in Algoma, all frame except one, which is a hewed log house. Some excellent teachers are to be found in Algoma.

FINANCIAL AND MANUFACTURING CONCERNS.

O. F. Hyde & Co.'s Bank .- This bank was established in Rockford in 1873, by John C. Ellsworth; changed to the present firm May 1, 1875. James "Dockeray is the "Co." They do a general banking business on Courtland street.

Wollen

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ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

Wagon Manufactory of Hovey & Haner .- This business was established by G. E. Hovey in 1866. May 8, 1879, the building was destroyed by fire, and in 1873 he rebuilt and took Mr. Haner as a partner. They also manufacture"buggies and sleighs, and are doing a large business.

Rockford has a very spicy and ably edited newspaper, the Rockford Weekly Register, a history of which is given in Chapter XIII. There are also other branches of business in Rockford.

EDGERTON.

A small village on sections 13 and 24, and on the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad, was laid out when the railroad was constructed, by Oscar House, who was the first Postmaster. The P. O. was established in 1869. The first store was kept by F. E. Tryon, who sold to Geo. Tompsett in 1877. Julia A, Moore, " the sweet singer of Michigan," also keeps a small store here. There are also a cooper shop, a blacksmith shop, and the mills of Monroe & Beardsley are said to be included in the village limits of Edgerton. That makes the population amount to nearly 300. The mills have been described before. Mr. Tompsett is the leading business man of Edgerton.

BURCHVILLE,

or Burch Station, was platted in 1868 by John S. Weller, of Ann Arbor, and named in honor of his partner, Jefferson Burch, who came here and built the first steam saw-mill in 1866. This mill was totally destroyed by fire in 1867, and a new one erected by Mr. Burch on the same site. But this little burg is one of the things of the past, for nothing is there now save some lumber piles and a few old houses.

GOUGEBURG.

This is the name given by Henry Helsel to a small group of houses or village on sections 27 and 28, established by C. C. Com- stock, of Grand Rapids, in 1856. He built a saw-mill at this point on Rouge river, and also the houses for his employes to live in while working on the mill. The mill has since gone down, but the houses have been permanently occupied.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Peter M. Aldrich was born in Wayne Co., Mich., Sept. 4, 1835, and is a son of Marvin Aldrich, a native of Vermont. The Aldrich family started for California in 1845, but the Indian troubles drove them back. Peter M. was on the Lakes for nine years, four years of which time was Captain of his father's vessels. Prior to this time he learned the cooper's trade during winter seasons. He went to Grand Rapids in 1857. During the war he lived three years in Missouri. In 1870 he returned to Grand Rapids, and again worked

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

at his trade, spending the summers on the Lakes, as before stated. He came to Algoma in 1875, and followed lumbering awhile. He now resides on sec. 12, and owns 25 acres of land. Nov. 12, 1869, he married Miss Mary P. Dryden, by whom he has five children -Franklin, Ettie, Martin M., Edward L. and Archer E.

Asa M. Allen was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 27, 1825, and is a son of Laban M. Allen, who came to Courtland tp. in 1854. Asa M. was brought up on a farm and received a com- mon-school education. He was married in Adams Co., N. Y., in 1845, to Miss Eliza Archer. They have had three adopted children, but one of whom is living, viz .: Mata.

Mr. Allen came to Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1845, and to Logans- port in 1846. He went to Terre Haute in 1851, and came by stage to Kent county in 1854. He located in Rockford and erected a cooper shop, which he still runs, employing from two to five hands. During the year 1880 he made over 23,000 barrels. He was Con- stable several years and is the present Marshal for Rockford, which office he has filled for several years.

John L. Bailey was born in Algoma tp., June 4, 1860. He was brought up on a farm, and is the only surviving heir of DeWitt C. Bailey. He was married Feb. 8, 1880, to Miss Ida Long; they have one child, Clinton E. He owns 70 acres on sec. 2, Plainfield tp., . 40 acres on sec. 35, Algoma tp., and 80 acres on sec. 17, in Algoma.

De Witt C. Bailey (deceased), the father of the above, was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 9, 1823, and was a son of Ethan A. Bailey. He came to Branch Co., Mich., in 1845, and to Algoma, this county, the same fall. He entered the 40 that his son now occupies. He afterward entered 80 acres more on the same sec. He married Rachel Long, and by her had three children; the only one living is John L. When he settled here it was a wil- derness for miles around except a small settlement at Rockford. He died in September, 1864.

William L. Beardsley was born in the city of Albany, N. Y., Au - gust, 1842, and is a son of Leonard Beardsley, who came with his family to Grand Rapids in 1854, where he made matches one year, then went to Cannonsburg, and there ran a farm and wool carding mill. He also built the first cider mill in Kent county. It was located at Cannonsburg, and was built in 1859. William L. was a soldier in the late war, in Co. H, 21st Mich. Vol. Inf., and participated in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, Savannah, Bentonville and others. He was mar- ried Jan. 10, 1869, to Victoria B. Livingston, by whom he has three children, Olo M., Ada Z. and Ella B. Mr. Beardsley came to Al- goma in 1878, and now runs the " Star " saw-mill.

Wm. H. Bennett was born in Woodbury, Conn., Sept. 20, 1841, and is a son of John S. Bennett. He came with his parents to Grand Rapids in 1856. In 1866 he began farming in Plainfield tp. He was married Dec. 25, 1865, to Miss Mary J. Hutch- ings, by whom he has one child, Frederick George. Mr. Bennett

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ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

came to Algoma in 1870, where he now resides, on sec. 34, on a farm of 80 acres. He served in the late war in Co. A, 1st Mich. Vol. Inf., for four years, and participated in the battles of Chick- amauga, Peninsula, Wilderness, Gettysburg, Five Forks, Peters- burg, Chancellorsville,at the surrender of Lee, and others-in all, 32 engagements.

Dr. Russel L. Blakeley (deceased). This loved and respected Christian man was born in Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y., Aug. 5, 1817. In 1841 he married the estimable Christiana Grover, daughter of Hon. Benona Grover, of Orleans Co., N. Y. He came to Grand Rapids in 1846, in the month of May, and located Government land where Hon. O. F. Hyde now resides, in the village of Rock- ford. He also entered the land now occupied by the Rockford cemetery, in which his body has lately been buried. The Doctor did not remain at Grand Rapids long, but soon moved to his tract of land. At his solicitation the gospel was first preached in Rock- ford (then Laphamville), in his house. He, assisted by Rev. Jas. Ballard, of Grand Rapids, organized the Congregational Church in his house. This was the first Church organization in Lapham- ville. The first Sabbath-school was also organized in his house. In that early day there was no other physician between Grand Rapids and Greenville, and the Doctor traveled all the country over for many miles around. At the time he settled here there was not a plastered house in Rockford, and the mail was brought here once a week in a man's pocket. The Doctor taught the first school in Laphamville, and attended to his patients at night at the same time. He never refused to go, night or day, and always had a kind word for all. His wise counsel was much sought for, and. highly appreciated by his many friends. In speaking of his great interest manifested in having the gospel preached, we should do him the honor to state that he tore down the partition in his house to make room sufficient to hold an audience. He was a zealous Christian and the main pillar of the Congregational Church. When in his last illness, which was very short, he called his family around him and exhorted them to live Christian lives, and to meet him in heaven, where they would part no more. He died July 22, 1881, loved and esteemed. by all.

The Doctor and Mrs. Blakeley had eight children, of whom seven are living, viz. : Hattie (Lester), an old teacher of Kent county ; Chas. E., a druggist, of Cooperville, Mich .; Royal C., a farmer near Rockford; Emma D. (Brantner), of Rockford; Celestia (Critchlow), of the vicinity of Rockford; George G., clerk for his brother Chas. E., and H. Elgin, at home. The above- named children, except Mrs. Lester, were all born in Rockford.

Benjamin Bowers was born Aug. 21, 1845, in Pennsylvania, and is a son of Henry and Eliza Bowers, who came to this tp. in 1851, and settled where they now live. Mr. Bowers was married March 28, 1870, to Miss Dora Morningstar, a native of Ohio. They have three children-Carrie, Daisy and Oma E. Mr. B. owns 40 acres of valuable land on sec. 9, Algoma tp., and is engaged in farming

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

James Caine (deceased) was born on the Isle of Man, off the coast of Great Britain. He came to America and settled in Plain- field tp., this county, when but 16 years old. He was mar- ried in January, 1871, to Mrs. M. Fearson, daughter of John Rappleyea, by whom he had two children-James H. and Albert. Mrs. Caine had one child by her first husband, viz. : Edward B. Fearson. About the year 1866, Mr. Caine came to Algoma, and rebuilt the old Morningstar saw-mill on Cedar creek. It was burned in 1879, and was again rebuilt, and is now run by J. Thayer Gould. Mrs. Caine owns 200 acres of land on sec. 16, and 90 acres on sec. 4.

Robert Carlyle was born in Scotland, Aug. 29, 1832, and is a son of William Carlyle, who emigrated with his family to Court- land tp., this county, in 1841, stopping two months in Kalamazoo. Mr. Carlyle sailed on the lakes from 1850 to 1854. In the fall of 1852, the boat " Emily Porter" went down in the Saginaw Bay. The crew, including Mr. Carlyle, packed themselves into a yawl, and drifted across to the Canada side and were all saved. Mr. Carlyle served in the navy during the late war, under Admiral Lee. He participated in the battle of Port Hudson, the Vicksburg cam- paign, etc. In 1879 he removed to Rockford and engaged in the grocery trade, where he is doing a good business on a capital of $2,000. His annual sales amount to $8,000, and are gradually in- creasing. He was married Dec. 25, 1854, to Miss Lucy, daughter of Hon. Philo Beers, one of the first settlers in Courtland tp., and who was Supervisor of that town for 20 years. Mr. Beers was also in the Michigan Legislature two years. Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle have had eight children, viz .: Albert, Henry, Emma (dec.), Warren, Willy, Hattie, Frank and Grace. During the year 1877-'8, Mr. Carlyle was Treasurer of Courtland tp.

Andrew Chalmers was born in Perthshire, Scotland, Nov. 15, 1828, and is a son of John Chalmers, who emigrated to Quebec in 1845, and to Canada West in 1848. Andrew came to Algoma in 1865 and settled on sec. 32, where he engaged in farming and lum- bering. He was married Jan. 19, 1858, to Miss Catharine Doyle, by whom he has had 10 children; eight are living, viz .: James, Wm. W., Annie, Andrew B., Thomas, Isabella, Mary and Agnes F. Mr. Chalmers is the present Justice of the Peace for Algoma, and has held several important offices in the Algoma Good Templars' Lodge. James is Deputy W. C. T. for this county, and is Deputy at large, and is engaged in the work of organizing lodges. He is a bright young man and an able temperance lecturer. He is also a teacher of some repute in this county. William W. has taught since 16 years old, and Annie has taught since 15 years old; i. e., they teach and attend school alternately.

Walter Chipman, a warm-hearted, clear-headed farmer, settled on sec. 2, Algoma tp., in 1854. He was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1820. He graduated with high honors from Union College, at Schenectady, N. Y., in 1839. He read law

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ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

in Troy and Lansingburg, and was admitted to the bar in 1842. He practiced until 1846, and then entered the war against Mexico, in Co. A, 1st N. Y. Regiment. He was discharged at Monterey, California, in 1848. He was in San Francisco when there were but 12 buildings in the entire place. While there he helped frame the Constitution of California. In 1851 he went to South America, Cork, London and Havre, and back to New York in 1852. In 1854 he came to Algoma, and has followed lumbering several years, and made a farm in the woods. His brother, John D., came here in 1859, and resides with him, owning 80 acres of land.

Wm. H. Christy was born in Algoma, July 8, 1856, and is a son of Lafayette Christy, who came from Mahone Co., Ohio, to Algoma, in 1855, and settled in the woods. His wife was Maria Morningstar, by whom he had eight children-Alexander, Hannah, Irving, William H., Susan, Eliza, Nancy and Ollie. He died Dec. 9, 1877, loved and respected. William was married Aug. 12, 1878, to Miss Electa Traxler, by whom he has one child, Lafayette H. Mr. Christy lives on the old homestead, on sec. 8, owns 80 acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.

Geo. W. Collins was born in Williams Co., Ohio, May 18, 1845, and is a son of Harvey Collins, who came to Cascade tp., this county, in 1853. Geo. W. was a soldier for three years in the late war, in Co. H, 21st Mich. Inf., and participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Bentonville and others. He settled on Wicked creek in 1866, and ran a shingle mill several years. He now runs the Town-Line Mills, which is - located in the same place as the old shingle-mill. He was married in September, 1869, to Miss Rosalie Porter, by whom he has had two children, one of whom is living, namely, Herald.

Jackson Coon, dealer in boots and shoes, Rockford, was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., Jan. 30, 1835, and is a son of Philip Coon, who settled in Livingston Co., Mich., in 1838. Jackson came with his parents to Walker tp., Kent Co., in 1847, where his father still resides. In 1853 Mr. Coon engaged in the lumber business on the Muskegon river, where he remained two years; he then came to Algoma tp., and settled on sec. 13, where he ran a saw and grist mill until 1873. He then sold his mills, came to Rockford and engaged in his present business. He carries a capital stock of $6,000, and is doing a good business. He was married Jan. 30, 1860, to Miss Emily Stout, by whom he has six children-Estella, Fred, Ada, Hattie, Hubert and Bessie.

William S. Crissey (deceased) was born Nov. 23, 1806, in Mas sachusetts. He removed with his parents to Monticello, New- York, in 1811. He was very ingenious, and early learned the use of tools. He has built many saw, shingle and flouring mills. He came to Kent county in November, 1855, and settled on sec. 13, Algoma tp., which was then a wilderness. He lumbered and manu- factured shingles for several years. He was married, Jan. 20, 1827, to Miss Clarissa Wortman, by whom he had seven children;

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

of these three are living - Irvin, Mary and Helen; a daughter, Carrie, wife of David Monroe, died at the age of 23 years.

Calvin F. Dille, farmer, Rockford, was born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, Dec. 19, 1823, and is a son of Calvin Dille, a native of Virginia, who settled in Ohio in an early day, when there was but one house where the city of Cleveland now stands. He was there during the war of 1812. Calvin F. learned the trade of ship-carpenter when quite young. He settled in Algoma, on sec. 30, in 1849, when there was no other settler in that locality; the Indians, wolves and bears were numerous. He followed lumber- ing for 20 winters. He was married in 1851, to Adeline Holaday, daughter of Henry Holaday, of Pearson, Mich., a pensioner of 1812. They had two children-Forrest A. (dec.) and Cassius M. Mr. Dille was Justice of the Peace four years.

Hon. James Dockeray was born near Kendall, Westmoreland Co., England, May 1, 1815. He came to Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1838, and settled near the village of Albion, the county- seat of Orleans county; and in 1846 he emigrated to this county, and settled in Cannon tp. The land there was principally oak openings at that time, and the settlers were but few. Until 1875 Mr. Dockeray was a farmer; he then came to Rockford and be- came interested in the Rockford Bank, with which he is still con- nected. He has filled the offices of School Inspector, Highway Commissioner, and was Supervisor for about 16 years. He was also a member of the Michigan Legislature in 1863-'4. He was married Jan. 1, 1841, to Miss Charlotte S. Grant, who died on the 29th of the following April. He again married, Feb. 25., 1844, this time Miss Elizabeth Kelly, who bore him five children; of these but two are living, viz .: Joseph A. and Robert L. Char- lotte E. died at one and one-half years of age, Lucy at four and one- half, and Florence was grown. She was the wife of Neal Mc Millan, of Rockford. She left a child about one year old. Mrs. Dockeray died Dec. 20, 1874, and he again married in March, 1876, this time Mrs. Clara C. Barnard, the widow of Dr. Barnard. She had three children by her first husband; of these, two are living, viz .: Carrie Webber, of Grand Rapids, and Lottie Barnard. Mr. D. is a member of the Masonic order. He was Surveyor for Kent county four years, and was Deputy Surveyor for six or eight years.

John J. Ely was born in Tioga Co., New York, Sept. 10, 1830, and is a son of James Ely, who came to Grand Rapids in 1848. Mr. Ely was educated in Aurora Academy, at Aurora, N. Y., came to Grand Rapids in 1852, and there engaged in the mercan- tile business with his brother, Henry B., until 1861, when, feeling that his country needed his services, he enlisted in Battery E, 1st. Mich. Light Artillery, which was raised in connection with the Engineers and Mechanics' regiment. He entered the army as a private, and was promoted to the offices of 2d Lieut., 1st Lieut., Captain and Major. At Nashville he was on post duty as chief of the artillery. In 1867 he came to Rockford and established a

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general store. He carries a capital stock of $5,000, and is doing a business of $18,000 annually. He was married in 1856, at Ionia, Mich., to Miss Charlotte A. Lovell, by whom he has one child- Charles L.

Hon. Asa P. Ferry was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., June 20, 1824. His father, Chester Ferry, was a native of Massachusetts. Asa P. was brought up on a farm, and educated in a select school in the village of Barodino, N. Y. He removed to Courtland tp., this county, in 1849, where he remained until 1865. He then re- moved to Cannon tp. and engaged in farming until 1879, when he removed to Rockford and engaged in the milling business with Hon. E. C. Watkins. He was married in 1849 to Miss Margaret Cowan, daughter of Peter Cowan, who came to Kent county in 1848. They had four children, three of whom are living-Ines (Crissman), Nora (Becker) and James. Mrs. Ferry died Sept. 1, 1880. Mr. Ferry filled the office of Supervisor three years for Court- land tp., and five years for Cannon tp. He was sent to the Legis- lature in 1870.

Aaron B. Gates, wholesale dealer in fruits and produce, Rock- ford, was born in Venango Co., Pa., Feb. 20, 1853. He was brought up on a farm, and educated at Waterford Academy, Pa., and Jamestown Collegiate Institute in New York, where he taught school for some time, and then went to Morrisville, N. Y., and clerked in a drug store nine months. Thence he went to South Haven, Mich., and to Grand Rapids in 1873, where he clerked a few months for S. D. Jackson. The same year he went to Jackson, Mich., and clerked in N. G. Davis' wholesale and retail grocery store a few months. He then returned to South Haven and pur- chased a farm. He there also dealt in produce in summer and taught during the winter. In the spring of 1879 he went to Grand Rapids, and in August of the same year came to Rockford, and be- gan work on a mill and was crippled. He established his present business in 1880. He also keeps a full line of groceries and pro- visions and does a large business. He was married in 1873 to Miss Irene Hurlburt, daughter of Hon. W. H. Hurlburt, of South Haven, by whom he has three children: Manly C., Ernie O. and Olo V.

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History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 52

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