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 53

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 53

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).

J. Thayer Gould was born in Clinton Co., Mich., Feb. 27, 1840, and is a son of John and Pamelia Gould. The former died in 1844. The latter resides in the town of Lyon, Oakland Co., Mich. The subject of this notice came to Kent county in 1857 and settled in Plainfield tp. In 1877 he came to Algoma, where he is engaged in farming, and runs a saw-mill. He was married in 1877 to Miss Rebecca A. Hughes, by whom he has one child-John H. Mr. Gould served in the late war in Co. F, 6th Mich. Cavalry, for three years and three months. He was mustered out as Second Lieutenant. He is now holding his third term of office as Supervisor of Algoma. Mr. Gould owns 164 acres of land, on sec. 9, Algoma tp.

Luman Hamblin was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Aug. 14,

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

1830, and is a son of Samuel and Drusilla (Collins) Hamblin, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. Luman came to Oakland Co., Mich., in 1844, and to this county in 1854. He was married July 22, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth 'Gray, who was born in 1842, in New York. They have seven living children- May, Grant, Carrie, Flora, Milton, Minnie and Daisy. Mr. Hamb- lin has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Constable. He lost three brothers in the Union army during the late war. He owns 120 acres of land on sec. 18, Algoma tp. Mr. Hamblin has a very fine cranberry swamp, which produces great quanti- ties of berries, the source of a handsome income.

Henry Helsel .- This old pioneer of Algoma was born in Wash- ington county, Pa., July 27, 1818. His father, John Helsel, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and removed to Trumbull Co., O. when Henry was but a small boy. He was brought up on a farm, and worked very hard. His educational advantages were very limited, as his parents were poor. He attended a subscription school for a short time, which was taught in a small log cabin con- taining a few slab benches. In 1845, when Algoma was a wilder- ness, Mr. Helsel ventured among the Indians and wild animals, and settled in this town on sec. 21, T. 9 N., of R. 11 west. The Indians were his only neighbors, and the wild animals, such as the bear and deer, furnished meat. There were also panthers and wolves in great quantity here at that early day. During the first year of his pioneer life Mr. Helsel carried his provisions from Plainfield, a distance of seven miles. He began life here with " five half-dollars " as his cash capital. He located on his land in the fall, where no clearing was done. He cleared five acres, sowed it in wheat the next year, without plowing, and raised 26 bushels to the acre. He afterward raised 48 bushels of wheat to the acre in the same manner.

Mr. Helsel tells us of an interesting bear chase of early times. They ran the bear for 18 miles in the woods, and finally caught it. Night overtook them and they lost their way, but succeeded in reaching home late in the night. The next day four men went to bring the meat home, and returned about nine o'clock that night. On one occasion when returning from Plainfield in the evening, some animals (supposed to be wolves) ran him up a tree, where he remained for three hours, until the moon rose, when the wolves slunk away. He then descended and made his way home with quickened pace. Panthers were very bold in those davs. One followed Mrs. Helsel to the door of their cabin.

Mr. Helsel was married May 15, 1845, to Miss Julia A. Helsel, by whom he has had 13 children; of these 10 are living, viz .: Noah F., Jeremiah, Darius, Ambirth, James L., Otis, Zoa, Cleon, Frankie and Zachariah. Jeremiah and Darius are married. Mr. Helsel is one of the few pioneers now left to tell the tale of their hardships and privations in preparing the way for the prosperity of future generations.

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ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

William H. Hesler, of the firm of McMillan & Hesler, drug- gists, N. E. corner Main and Courtland sts., Rockford, was born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, June 18, 1854, and is a son of G. H. Hes- ler, who came to Kent county in an early day. . William H. re- ceived his education in Rockford and Cedar Springs, Mich. He taught for seven winters and attended school during the summer. In 1879 he engaged in the drug business with Mr. McMillan, in Rockford, and they are having a large patronage. He was married Dec. 25, 1877, to Miss Mary E. Burch, who died Nov. 3, 1879. Mr. Hesler was Superintendent of Schools for Courtland tp. for three years.

James W. House, was born in the town of Barry, Orleans Co., N. Y., Aug. 21, 1830, and is a son of Andrew House, who settled in Plainfield tp., this county, in 1834. This was an ex- tremely early day, and the Indians were numerous. An Indian town of 3,000 inhabitants was located within two 'miles of the House homestead. James had no playmates except Indian boys, whose company he soon learned to appreciate, and also readily learned to speak their language. He was present and saw the great and decisive battle fought between the Snakehead Indians and the Chippewas, in which the Snakeheads were completely beaten. This battle occurred in 1837, and just a half mile north of where Plain- field now stands, and within one mile of the House residence. Dec. 25, 1847, Mr. House removed to Algoma, with his father, who purchased a saw-mill and ran it 17 years. The House fam- ily made two farms in Kent county and one in New York. James W. House was married June 30, 1857, to Miss Callistia Shaw, daughter of Sisson N. Shaw. They have had four children, three now living : Sarah S., Margaretta A., and Andrew S. His brother, Martin F. House, served in the late war, in Co. F, 6th Mich. Cavalry, and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness.

G. E. Hovey was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Oct. 17, 1839. His father, Samuel Hovey, emigrated to Macomb Co., Mich., in an early day, and shortly afterward to Lapeer county. His grandfather Hovey was a millwright, and he himself soon learned to use his tools. At the age of 16 he went to learn the wagon and carriage-makers' trade, which he soon thoroughly mastered. He came to Grand Rapids in the spring of 1863. He served in the late war, in Co. K, 1st Mich. Engineers, and participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and Chatta- nooga. He was at Sherman's headquarters from the spring of 1864 until discharged, in October, 1865. He came to Rockford in 1866, and engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, which he still follows, with success. He was married Dec. 27, 1859, to Miss Helen Gates, by whom he has one son, Fred.

Charles G. Hyde, attorney at law; office 14 and 15 Court-House block, Grand Rapids, was born in Lima, New York, April 3, 1821, and is a son of Charles Hyde, who came to Macomb Co., Mich., in 1847, the subject of this notice having preceded him two years.

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

He there engaged in farming, and in 1860 came to Rockford and engaged in merchandising nine years. In the meantime he studied law, and in 1870 was admitted to the bar. He at once began to practice. He was appointed Prosecuting Attorney on the largest case that was ever tried in Kent county, namely: The People r8. Geo. French, on a charge of subornation, or perjury. The trial lasted 14 days. Mr. Hyde has built up a large practice for himself, and now has his son Wesley W. as a partner. He was married in 1844 to Miss Eliza A. Ray, by whom he has had 10 children ; seven living, viz .: Vera M. (now Mrs. O. E. Clark), Wesley W., Mary E. (now Mrs. I. W. Moe), Willis W., Hattie A., Jennie E. and Clar- ence A. Mr. Hyde was candidate for Supreme Judge on the Prohibition ticket in 1881. He is a temperance worker and never seeks office.

Oscar F. Hyde was born in the town of Lima, Livingston Co., N. Y., 15 miles south of Rochester, Aug. 18, 1817, and is a son of Charles Hyde, who emigrated to Macomb Co., Mich., in 1847, and received a common-school education. He came to-Macomb Co., Mich., in 1848, one year after his father came, and in October, 1852, he settled on sec. 1, Plainfield tp., this county, now a part of the village of Rockford. He there made a farm in the woods and followed farming 10 years, when he established a store in Rockford, then Laphamville, and ran it in connection with the farm. He engaged in the banking business here in 1874, with Mr. H. Norton, who subsequently sold to James Dockeray. He was married July 11, 1838, to Miss Julia Walling, a native of New York and a daughter of Peter Walling. They have one son, Chas. N., a grain merchant of Rockford, and also connected with the Rockford Bank. Mr. Hyde was Justice of the Peace six years, was President of the village several terms, and is now the State agent for juvenile offenders of this locality.

Albert R. Jewell was born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, Feb. 23, 1853. He came with his parents to Algoma in 1856. He farmed in the summer and taught school in the winters for six years. He was Treasurer of Algoma two years; resides on the old home place, on sec. 33, and owns 120 acres of valuable land.

Lumus B. Jewell (deceased), father of the above, was born in Vermont, Jan. 25, 1830. He was brought up on a farm and re- ceived a common-school education. He removed with his parents to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, in 1836, and to Grand Rapids when there were but three houses on the west side of Grand river, within the present city limits. They remained in Grand Rapids three years and then went back to Ohio, but returned to Kent county in 1856, settling in Algoma, as before stated, where he engaged in farming until his death, June 24, 1877.

R. D. Jewell is a native of St. Albans, Franklin Co., Vermont, and was born Sept. 1, 1817. His father, Ephraim Jewell, was a native of New Hampshire. Mr. Jewell was reared on a farmn and educated within one mile of St. Albans Bay. He resided in Cleve-

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ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

land in 1833-'34, when he engaged in farming four miles south of that city, remaining there five years. He came to Grand Rapids in 1837, but returned to Ohio in 1839. He went to Columbus where, Sept. 29, 1838, he married Miss Laura Rice, by whom he has had eight children; of these, six are living, viz .: Charles, Silas, George, Amy, Lucy and Laura. In May, 1863, he removed with his family to Plainfield tp., and to Algoma in 1865, and set- tled on sec. 26. Two of his sons, Henry and Charles, were sol- diers in the late war; the former died of disease after he returned. Mr. Jewell helped survey the first road from Grand Rapids to Grand Haven.

Hon. Smith Lapham, Justice of the Peace, is the oldest settler now living in Algoma tp., and the second settler in the tp. He was born in Rhode Island, April 8, 1804. He is a dis- tant relative of Senator Lapham, of New York, and a son of Job Lapham, who removed with his family to Saratoga, N. Y., in 1806. At the tender age of three years, he lost his mother, and in 1816 he returned to Rhode Island, and resided for four years with his aunt, Lydia Sales, a widow lady. For some time after this he worked on the farm by the month. In 1825 he went to Buffalo, where he went aboard the " Pioneer," and sailed on Lake Erie. During her sec- ond trip she was overtaken by a severe storm, and was wrecked off the shore at Fairport, Ohio. The manner in which the crew and passengers escaped was singular: The ship had grounded a short distance from the shore, but the waves were too high for any one to venture; so they tied a line to a billet of wood, and threw the bil- let between the shore and the approaching wave, which carried the billet nearly to the shore; some parties on the land then waded in and secured it in to shore. At one end of the line was a boat made fast, in which the wrecked people were all soon safely drawn to shore. Mr. Lapham and eight other men walked thence to San- dusky, Ohio, where they went aboard the only remaining steamer, "Superior " (which was the second steamer built on the lake), and came to Detroit, where he and his associates separated. Mr. Lapham then proceeded on foot, to travel over the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw and Monroe, in the State of Michi- gan. He finally concluded to locate in Washtenaw county, and accordingly purchased a tract of land on Lodi Plains, in that county, six miles south of Ann Arbor.

This was in the fall of 1825. He returned to Saratoga the same winter, and April 10 following, married Miss Catharine Gilbert, returning with his wife to his land in Washtenaw county in June of the same year. He sold his farm in 1835, and built the Ameri- can House, which is still standing in Saline, and is still used as a hotel. But he, however, ran it as a hotel only about two years. In 1839 he became interested in the construction of the Wabash & Erie canal, which was at that time being built. His department was the building of culverts, and it is said that one which he erected is the largest culvert on the canal. In 1843, Mr. Lapham,

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

in company with Luke Gilbert, his brother-in-law, came to Oka- mos, on the Okamos river, where they dug a canoe out of a bass- wood log, and in this rude boat floated down the river to the mouth of Flat river, where the town of Lowell now stands. They there left their canoe, and started through the woods with no road, to visit another brother-in-law, Mr. David Gilbert, reaching the settlement late in the evening of the same day. Mr. L. came to the Rouge river, and decided to locate here, although the land was not yet in market. He found a mill site where Rockford now stands, and the same year, in July, purchased 80 acres where Rock- ford or Laphamville was afterward built, and proceeded immedi- ately to locate and erect a saw-mill. This inill was the first in the tp., and the dam was the first on Rouge river. He finished the mill in 1844, and ran it successfully for 20 years. In 1866 he sold his mill and kept hotel in Rockford for two years.

Mr. Lapham was the first Supervisor for Algoma, and has held the same office many times since. In 1856 he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Michigan Legislature, and in 1858 was elected State Senator from this district. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace almost constantly for over 35 years. In 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Lapham celebrated their golden wedding, and are still stout and healthy. They have had nine children, of whom six are living, viz .: Geo. G., Embree B., Amy A., Derias A., Josephine and Adah.

John Lemp was born in Germany, March 5, 1844. His parents were Cooper and Margaret Lemp. His father died when he was small, and he came with his mother to this county in 1859. He has cleared and made a farm. He married Miss Eda Robb, April 2, 1879, who was born in New York State in 1855. Mr. Lemp owns 40 acres of valuable land and is an industrious, wide-awake farmer.

Mitchell M. Lockerby, dentist, Main street, Rockford, was born in Schuyler Co., N. Y., Oct. 14, 1849, and is a son of Benajah Lockerby, who located in Rockford in 1871. The subject of this notice also came to this place in 1871. He worked in a saw-mill 18 months, when he established a general store in Rockford. In 1877 he engaged in dentistry here, and has built up a good practice which is gradually increasing. Mr. Lockerby is also leader of the Rockford cornet band. He was married Sept. 1, 1875, to Miss Alice G. Young. Mrs. Lockerby runs a large millinery store on Main street, Rockford, and has a large trade.

John Long was born in Portage county, Oct. 2, 1832, and is a son of John Long, who removed with his family to this tp. in 1844, and settled on sec. 27. He built the first house north of Rockford. There were but two families in the tp. then, viz .: Lapham's and Hunter's, who had settled at Rockford the year before. They had to go to Grand Rapids to trade and to mill. The marketing and milling was all done with cattle. John was married in 1864 to Miss Maria Chaffee, daughter of W. D. Chaffee, of this tp. They had two children -Win. H. (living) and Hiram (deceased).

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ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

Ensley Martin, proprietor of Martin's livery stable, Rockford, was born in Upper Canada, Oct. 12, 1836. At the early age of 14 years he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed all his life except for the past 10 years. He came to Lapeer Co., Mich., in 1854, and to Rockford in 1860. In 1861 he built the Rockford foundry and machine shop. In 1871 he engaged in the hardware trade, following that business until 1878, when he en- gaged in the livery business. He was married in 1863 to Miss Martha Thornton, daughter of Wm. Thornton, of this place. They have had five children, three living; Susie, Willy and Hallie.

Rial V. McArthur was born in Oakfield tp., this county, Sept. 9, 1850, and is a son of Giles McArthur, who still resides in that tp. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common school. He owns a farm of 80 acres on sec. 35, Algoma tp. He was mar- ried April 15, 1876, to Miss Olive D. Force, of Ohio. They have one child-Lottie May. Mr. McArthur filled the office of Consta- ble for four years in Algoma.

Neal Mc Millan was born in Dundee, near Montreal, Canada, Dec. 25, 1845, and is a son of Archibald Mc Millan, a native of Scotland, who came to Cannon tp., this county, in 1849, and settled on a farm where lie still resides. Mr. Mc Millan was educated in Grand Rapids and Detroit, graduating at Bryant & Stratton's business college at the latter place in August, 1867. He has taught school 12 winters, in the vicinity of Rockford and Kent county. In 1873 he engaged in the drug business in Rock- ford, and has built up a large trade. He has for his partner Mr. Wm. H. Hesler. They carry a capital stock of $4,000, and their annual sales amount to over $12,000. Mr. Mc Millan was married in April, 1872, to Miss Florence, daughter of Hon. James Dock- eray, of Rockford. They had one child, Ernest D. Mrs. M. died in 1875, and he again married in 1877, this time Miss Jennie Blake, by whom he has two children-Katie Ethel and Vivia Nellie. Mr. Mc Millan filled the office of Supervisor for Algoma one year, Superintendent gof schools two years, and is now Recorder and Alderman for Rockford.

David Monroe was born in Oxford, Ontario, Canada, Nov. 26. 1846, and is a son of James Monroe, a native of Scotland. David came to Lowell, Mich., in 1865, to Big Rapids in 1868, and to Kent county in 1870. He purchased a single-mill on Wicked creek at Edgerton in 1871, and in 1875 built a flouring mill at the same place. He is a successful miller; has followed the business from boyhood. He was married in July, 1875, to Miss Minerva Bradley, by whom he has one child, James O.

Harvey P. Mosher was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 8, 1830, and is a son of James Mosher, also a native of New York, who came to Cass Co., Mich., in 1838, and to this county in 1851, settling on sec. 33. There were only three settlers west of Rouge river at that time. The elder Mr. Mosher worked in the lumber woods winters and cleared land and farmed summers. He was a hard worker, and died April 8, 1876. There were five children,

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

of whom Harvey P. is the second. He was married Aug. 3, 1852, to Miss Esther R. Mc Fall, by whom he has had 13 children; of these eight are living-Lewis P., Lucian M., Emmet A., Hollis E., Chas. L., Edwin, Effie P. and John E.

Andrew J. Myers was born in Upper Canada, Feb. 14, 1829, and is a son of Charles F. Myers, who came with his family to Kent county, in 1845, and settled in Alpine tp., which was then a wil- derness filled with wolves, deer, bear, and other wild animals. Mr. A. J. Myers killed 45 deer in one fall. He used to make shingles by hand, haul them to Grand Rapids (a distance of 16 miles) with oxen, and sell them for one dollar a thousand, and trade it out for provisions, etc. He came to Algoma in 1865, and settled on sec. 18, where he now resides. He was married Dec. 24, 1852, to Miss Mary E. Warner, a native of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and a daughter of James Warner, who came to this county in 1850. He was a very hard worker, and died from the effects of hard work in 1854. Mr. and Mrs Myers have had six children, of whom five are living-Dora S., Roseltha A., High- land S., Alice R. and Charles H. The name of the deceased was Marietta E. In the early days Mr. Myers ran lumber down the river to Grand Haven in what was known as cribs. For 34 winters he followed lumbering. He owns 70 acres of valuable land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.

William Payne was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1809, and is a son of. David Payne, also of New York. He was raised on a farm and "educated in the field and in the barn with a flail." He was married Sept. 24, 1834, to Miss Caroline Dasher, of Chatham, N. Y. They have had 10 children, of whom 6 are living-Lorenzo, Henrietta, Elizabeth A., Alonzo W., Harriet and Johnnie. One son, Charles W., was a Sharpshooter for the Union soldiers in the first company which was attached to the 27th Mich. Inf. He was present at the battles of The Wilderness, Pittsburg Landing and Antietam. He was wounded at the latter place. He fought nobly and gave his life to his country. Mr. Payne came to Algoma in 1867. He has made a nice farm on sec. 16.

Albert L. Picket was born in Winchester, Chester Co., N. H., Nov. 24, 1820. He came to Kent county in 1842, and located on land south of Grand Rapids. In 1843 he moved to Plainfield tp. In 1850 he erected a saw-mill on Cedar creek, on the N. W. quarter of sec. 22. He engaged in lumbering for the most part until 1861. May 22, 1846, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Rev. David Gilbert, who came to this county from Ohio in 1842, and to Rockford soon after; and from 1852 to 1859 kept a store here. Albert served in the late war in Co. B, 1st Mich. Light Artillery, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Resaca, Cave City and others; but most of the time his department was kept guarding posts. He was promoted to the offices of Sergeant and Quartermaster, and Dec. 2, 1863, was commissioned 2d Lieut. March 14, 1864, was made 1st Lieut. . Mr. and Mrs. Picket have

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ALGOMA TOWNSHIP.

had four children, three living: Millard, Darwin and Arthur. Mr. P. was R. R. agent in Rockford for nine years, Postmaster four years, Township Treasurer two years, and Census Enumerator in 1880.

James. T. Roberts was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., May 9, 1826, and is a son of Truman Roberts, who was a well-known - manu- facturer of edge tools in the village of Vienna, N. Y. James T. early learned the trade of his father and became very proficient. In 1850, when Grand Rapids was but a small village, Mr. Roberts came to that place, upon the earnest solicitation of Cook and Blaine, who were then manufacturing edge tools in Grand Rapids. They were ignorant of the Lehigh process of making axes, and they de- sired to learn. Mr. Roberts, being an expert, decided to come. He prepared his forge and made 24 axes daily, while by the other process they could only make six axes a day to each forge. This was the first introduction of the Lehigh process in Grand Rapids, and it is justly due Mr. Roberts to say that he first introduced the improved process in Michigan. He returned by stage via Battle Creek in the spring of 1851. In the fall of 1851 he removed to Ionia Co., Mich., and established a manufactory there. He also made wagons, buggies and sleighs. He came to Rockford in 1880, where he now carries on a blacksmith shop, and has a large busi- ness. He was married in 1850 to Miss Mary E. Bigelow, by whom he has three children-Emma, Frank T. and Ida M. Mr. Roberts served in the Navy Department during the war, on the gunboat " Benton."

Sanford E. Rykert was born in Flowerfield, Mich., Dec. 25, 1843, where his parents were stopping temporarily at that time. His parents were Hiram and Huldah W. (Jewell) Rykert, who came to Kent county in 1838. Mrs. Rykert was the third white woman in Grand Rapids. She is still living and is a resident of Rockford. In 1848 the Rykert family moved to Plainfield, where they resided on a farm. Sanford E. received a common-school education, and when a young man, traveled seven years for the King Iron Bridge Co., of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1878 he engaged in the planing-mill business at Rockford; a history of the mill is given elsewhere in this work. Mr. Rykert was married Sept. 18, 1867, to Miss Helen Warner, who died in March, 1869. He again married, Nov. 11, 1873, this time Miss Elo Porter, by whom he has one boy, Ray.

George A. Sage was born in West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. Y., June 27, 1843, and is a son of Amos Sage, who came to this county in 1851, and settled two miles north of Grand Rapids. In 1858 he removed to Cannon tp., where he still resides. Mr. Sage served four years in the late war, in Co. E, Third Mich. Cav., and participated in the battles of Corinth, Lumpkins' Mills, Iuka, Farmington, New Madrid, Spangler's Mills, Bay Springs, Holly Springs, Oxford, Coffeeville, Island No. 10, Brownsville, Clifton, Panola, Grenada, Wyatt's Ford and others. He became a veteran Jan. 19, 1864. He was married Dec. 31, 1868, to Harriet M. Peake, by whom he has had four children; two are living, viz .:

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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 53

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