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 75
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"In 1850 Edward Bellamy and Nathan Holmes, brothers-in-law, formed a partnership, and erected a grist-mill upon the stream, near its embouchure from Wolf lake, on section 16. This was the nucleus of Grattan Center. The mill is now owned by J. A. Adams & Bros. This place is the only business center in the town. It has 12 or 14 dwellings, one hotel, one cabinet shop, one wagon shop, one cooper shop, two blacksmith shops, one paint shop one drug store, two dry-goods stores, and a fine new church (Baptist, C. C. Miller, pastor). It was erected in 1868. It is built of wood, painted white, costing $5,400.
"The Grattan Union school-house, a white two-story frame build- ing, with two departments, is located here, on a beautiful eminence just east of the village. The Metropolitan Cheese Factory is lo- cated just west of here, and its enterprising proprietor, Capt. B. Madison, is opening up an apparently prosperous business for himself and the farmers for miles around, by this new branch of industry. Grattan Center is situated in a fine rural district, and its proprietors are wide-awake and enterprising, but altogether too far away from railroads for their own convenience or comfort. Within the past year the place has suffered a severe loss in the sud- den death of its esteemed citizen, W. L. Atkins, a long-time merchant and efficient business man of the town.
"As early as 1848 the Catholics erected a small church in their cemetery, on section 32, dedicated to St. Patrick. In 10 years their congregation had become much too large for the seating ca- pacity of the house, and it was moved upon section 31, and con- verted into a school-house, and a new and commodious edifice erected on an eminence one-fourth of a mile west of the old site. "This building, while undergoing repairs, was accidentally burned in 1868. Immediately, scores of teams were put upon the roads hauling lumber preparatory to the building of a new church, which is now in process of erection, and when completed will be an honor to its builders and an ornament to the town. It is 136 by 50 feet in size, has a tower 168 feet high, and is lighted with massive windows of stained glass, which show with pleasing effect.
"The congregation is very large, and their annual picnic for the benefit of the Church has become an 'institution' of Grattan. It is noted for its tastefully arranged and bountifully supplied tables, and the hosts that congregate. Father Rivers is closely identified with the early history and prosperity of this people, but J. P. Mc- Manus is now the resident priest.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
"Besides the Union school, Grattan has but four district school- houses, but, as would at first seem, its educational interests are not neglected, as it is completely surrounded by fractional districts."
NAMING THE TOWNSHIP.
When the Legislature was petitioned to authorize the setting off of town 8 N., of R. 9 west, from the township of Vergennes, in 1845-'46, it was the wish of the petitioners to have it named Church- town; but, owing to some Legislative oversight, the act of that ses- sion conferred the name on Cannon. During the same session magnificent amends were made for this error, by naming the dis- trict "Grattan," in honor of the great orator and parliamentarian of the last Irish house of Commons, and the chastiser of the at- torney-general in the English Commons afterward. It is supposed that the name was suggested by Volney W. Caukin, to commem- orate the name of one who was a warm friend of the Revolution, as well as to show his Celtic neighbors how freemen can respect those who would be free.
ORGANIC.
The first town meeting was held in April, 1846, at the residence of Converse Close, when 23 votes were cast, and the following, among other officers, were chosen for the first year: Supervisor, Milton C. Watkins; Clerk, Volney W. Caukin; Treasurer, Erastus W. Beason; Justices, Samuel H. Steel, John P. Weeks, Wm. Byrne, Luther B. Cook; School Inspectors, V. W. Caukin, J. J. Stoner; Highway Commissioners, T. J. Morgan, Joshua Fish, Wm. C. Stanton; Overseers of the Poor, Luther B. Cook, Samuel H. Steel; Assessors, Anthony King, Barlow Barton; Constables, Jedediah H. Wood, Thomas J. Morgan.
The following is the list of officers from the period of organiza- tion to the present time. In three or four instances it was found impracticable to obtain the names.
SUPERVISORS.
Milton C. Watkins. 1846
John P. Weeks. . 1847-50
Frederick C. Patterson. 1851-53
Converse Close. 1854
Geo. D. Wood. 1867
Oliver I. Watkins 1868-70
Converse Close. 1856
Jerome A. Duga. 1871
Oliver I. Watkins. 1872
John W. Nicholson. 1873-75
Dudley Newton.
1858-59
Oliver I. Watkins 1876
Alvin C. Davis.
1877-78
Aaron Norton
1879-81
1862
Salisbury Mason. 1863-64
Geo. D. Wood. . 1865
Volney W. Caukin. 1866
Luther K. Madison. 1855
Milton C. Watkins. . 1857
Converse Close.
Geo. D. Wood. 1860
Theo. N. Chapin. 1861
B. W. B. Madison
·
761
GRATTAN TOWNSHIP.
CLERKS.
Volney W. Caukin
1846-47
Geo. C. Adams. 1864-66
Converse Close.
1848-50
Asa W. Slayton.
1867
L. K. Madison.
1851-52
Geo. D. Wood. 1868-70
J. W. Smith. 1853
Geo. M. Spencer
1871
Geo. B. Brown. 1854
Isaac W. Morgan.
1872
Converse Close.
1855
John Byrne. 1873
G. D. Wood.
1856-57
Nathaniel P. Smith 1874-75
E. P. Jennings.
.1858-59
Geo. M. Spencer.
1877
Palmer T. Stocking.
.1862
Palmer T. Stocking. 1878
1879-81
Palmer T. Stocking.
TREASURERS.
1846
Joseph Tower. 1870
Erastus W. Besom
1851-53
James L Purday 1871
B. W. B. Madison.
1854-57
James R. Trask
1872-73
Denis McCarthy
1858-59
Silas W. Ward 1874-75
Rufus Foster ..
1860-61
John G. Cowan. 1876
W. S. Fuller
1862
Wm. Byrne
1863 -- 65
O. I. Watkins
1866-67
A. W. Howard
1880-81
Win. J. Atkins,
1868-69
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The first Justices elected in 1846 were: Luther P. Cook, J. P. Weeks, M. C. Watkins and Wm. Byrne. Lemuel M. Reed, Will- iam Daniels and Thomas Conaty were elected in 1851; M. C. Watkins in 1856, and Wm. Haydock and Salisbury Mason in 1858. Since 1860 the following citizens have been elected to this office:
Washington L. Atkins. 1861
1862
James Bush. . 1872
Salisbury Mason.
John W. D. Smith.
. 1663
Joseph Tower, James Bush. 1873
John W. B. Smith. 1874
Denis McCarthy 1875
Oliver C. Davis. . 1876
Oliver Watkins, J. A. Duga. 1877
Hiram Barrett, H. D. Francisco. . 1867
B. W. B. Madison, C. J. Wat- kins
.1868
Denis McCarthy, L. K. Madison. 1879
J. A. Duga 1880
O. I. Watkins, Geo. A. Ramsey. . 1870
Nelson Holmes, Wm. Daniels. .1871
Barlow Barton .. 1864
Volney W. Caukin
1865
Oliver I. Watkins 1866
John G. Cowan ... 1878
Joseph Tower, Wm. Daniels. .1869
Oliver I. Watkins. 1881
SCHOOLS.
The first School Inspectors of Grattan were: . V. W. Caukin, J. J. Stoner, S. S. Tower and W. H. Beaurman, 1846. Converse Close was the first school-teacher of the first district school. Since the organization of the district, the school interests have grown, even as the township itself, until at present they are represented by seven school-houses, one of which is brick. There are em- ployed annually 15 teachers. There are 455 children of school age; the value of school property is estimated at $6,100, and the expenditures for 1880-'81 (one year) were about $1,700; but two fractional districts are not reported in this result.
James R. Trask. 1877-78
James Kearns.
1879
Palmer T. Stocking.
1860-61
Salem F. Kennedy.
1876
Converse Close. .
1863
Adelbert C. Huntley
762
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH.
The following sketch of the Catholic Church of Grattan is pre- pared from notes furnished by Denis McCarthy, one of the oldest members of the congregation of St. Patrick's. The settlement was first visited by Rev. Andreas Vizoiski in June, 1844. Dec. 7 following the Catholics of the district appointed a committee, com- posed of Richard Giles, Wm. Byrne, Michael Farrell and Denis McCarthy, to solicit subscriptions and cause a church building to be erected. By March 4, 1845, a pretentious building was dedi- cated. Within 14 years the church was found to be entirely in- adequate to accommodate the congregation. Rev. H. H. Rievers suggested the building of a house 78 x 40 feet, with a tower and belfry, 80 rods west of the first church; and to carry out this sug- gestion William and James Byrne, Denis McCarthy and the priest were appointed a committee. The frame of this building was raised in June, 1859, and the house completed in 1863. In 1866 Father Rievers was appointed priest of the Muskegon Mission, and his place supplied by Rev. P. J. McManus. Under his direc- tion the south gable of the church was removed in 1868 for the purpose of extending it. During the progress of the work it was totally destroyed. The old church, which was then used as a district school-house, was retenanted by the congregation, but being too small, a temporary house was erected near the ruins of the second church. In 1869, the people entered upon the work of building a new church, 80 rods east of the late house of worship, on section 31. This was 136 x 50 feet, with a belfry and spire, 168 feet high, and when completed, in 1871, was considered one of the finest frame buildings in the State. In 1871 Rev. P. A. Tierney received charge of St. Patrick's. He was succeeded, in October, 1873, by Rev. B. A. Quinn, who remained until the burning of the beautiful church and the parochial house on the morning of Sept. 22, 1876, when he left. These repeated burn- ings were trials of faith, such as few congregations would tolerate. Unsubdued by adversity, the people rose equal to the occasion, and at a public meeting, held in the first church or school-house, over which Denis Driscoll presided, with James Gohan as secre- tary, resolved to rebuild. A building committee, consisting of Denis Driscoll, Denis McCarthy, Patrick Abraham, and James Jones, was appointed. This committee reported the new parochial house completed and paid for, July 1, 1877. Rev. A. S. Lietner, of Otisco, Ionia county, called a meeting in June, 1877, which meeting appointed William Farrell, James Gahan, and Denis McCarthy a church building committee. This committee entered into a contract with P. W. Griswold and T. P. Fitzgerald, of Grand Rapids, June 18, 1877, to complete a church building, 136 x 50 feet, with tower and spire 168 feet high, after plans furnished by Robinson and Barnaby, architects, of Grand Rapids. Rev. John Lynch was resident priest of Grattan from October, 1877, until November, 1878, when he was succeeded by the Rev. James
763
GRATTAN TOWNSHIP.
Savage. In February, 1881, Rev. Thomas D. Flannery was ap- pointed resident priest of Grattan, and pastor of the Lowell Church.
OTHER CHURCHES.
The Baptist church, of Grattan Center, was built in 1864. Among the first members were Wm. C. Slayton, Harmon Whitney, Almon Hubbell, Palmer T. Stocking, Joshua Howell. Among the pastors was Rev. C. C. Miller, who remained many years.
The Methodist Episcopal society was organized in the winter of 1878, by Elder Cole, of Cannonsburg. Elder Thomas succeeded Mr. Cole. The services of the society are held in the Baptist church.
The Congregationalists formed a society here some years ago, and held services in the Union church.
GRATTAN CENTER
is 22 miles northeast of Grand Rapids, and 155 northwest of Detroi. Its location on Seeley creek offers some advantages to manufactt urers which are partially utilized. In 1881 the business of the vil- lage was represented as follows: Aaron Norton's flouring-mill; Charles Eddy, A. C. Huntley, and J. R. Trask, general merchants; Geo. M. Spencer, physician; Cass B. and Frank Madison, F. Ogil- vie, J. D. Myres, hotel proprietors; C. Coombs, blacksmith; A. C. Huntley, wagon-maker; C. C. Stockey, druggist, and J. M. Reed, boot and shoe store. The postoffice is kept by J. R. Trask, and mails are carried to and from Lowell by stage. The mill and ma- chine shop are situated on Seeley's creek. This stream is the outlet of numerous lakes, and has an unfailing and constant supply of water, these lakes acting as reservoirs for storing power for dry times.
The village was platted for Nathan Holmes and Alvin Stocking Jan. 29, 1857, by Henry M. Caukin.
The first hotel, now known as the Grattan House, was built by Suel Abby. The Madison House was built for a furniture shop, by the Adams Brothers. In 1872 the interest in this concern was purchased by L. K. Madison, who converted it into a hotel.
Norton's Mill was built by Holmes and Bellamy, in 1851, from whom it was purchased by the Adams Brothers. They sold the concern to S. F. Kennedy, who in turn disposed of his interest to Robert Howard. It was purchased in October, 1878, by Aaron Norton. The capacity of this mill is about 45 barrels per 24 hours. Steam and water power are used.
GRANT VILLAGE,
eight miles north of Lowell and 24 miles northeast of Grand Rap- ids, is the nucleus of what may in the future be a thriving town. In 1880 a cider-mill, vinegar factory and fruit evaporator were put
764
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
in operation by E. J. Mason. The postoffice is in charge of Wm .. C. Slayton. Among the business and professional men of the ham- let are: John P. Weeks, hay-rake manufacturer; Wm. C. Slayton,. builder ; Alphonso Weeks, school-teacher; O. J. Watkins, J. P .; John Flannagan, cattle dealer; D. & O. Robinson, fruit dealers; W. R. Mason and J. Jakeway, hop-growers.
BIOGRAPHIES.
In the following pages many of the prominent citizens of Grat- tan are referred to. Each sketch has a direct bearing upon the his- tory of the township, being in itself a record of a settler who aided in raising it from the wilderness state to its present proud position among the divisions of Kent county.
A. M. Barnes, farmer, is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y. His parents were born in the same county, where he grew to manhood and was educated. He came to Kent county in 1853, and first worked shaving shingles, saving his money for the purpose of get- ting a start in life. He is a leading agriculturist and owns one of the best improved farms in the tp. He practiced severe economy and performed the most arduous labor in early life to secure the comfort and plenty which surrounds his declining years. He an - swered the appeal of his country in her hour of peril and enlisted in 1861 in the 2d Mich. Cavalry. He was under Gen. Sheridan as regimental commander, and was in action with his regiment throughout the war. £ He was married in 1869, to Frances An- drews, of the State of New York.
James Bush was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1821; is son of William and Margaret (Countryman) Bush. His father was a soldier of 1812, and his grandfather, George Bush, fought in the Revolution- ary war. The latter was involved in all the perils and disasters that made Herkimer county prominent in the history of that struggle. He took his gun and family with him to the field to make the precious lives secure from the murderous Tories and Indians, and was inclined to peace; but the destruction of his home and the toil of years exasperated him at last and he went into the service and fought until his country was free. The father of Mr. Bush died when he was 13 years old and he maintained him- self, earning from $40 to $60 with three months' schooling annually .. He saved $800, and in 1851 bought 158 acres of land in Grattan, which he has increased to 359 acres by later purchase. His land is situated on secs. 7 and 18 and sec. 12, Piainfield. His first wheat brought 50 cents a bushel. He was married in 1847, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Ann M. Bell, born in Herkimer county. Mr. and Mrs. Bush have four children-Clarinda (Mrs. J. Berry, Reed City), Charles S. (married Angusta Bartlett), Wm. D. (married Myrtie Elkins), Ralph E. Mr. Bush has served as Justice of the Peace. He was a pioneer of this tp. and made all the improvements. on his land.
Jerry Boynton
767
GRATTAN TOWNSHIP.
Converse Close, pioneer, was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1822. His parents were natives of the same place, and his father was of English descent, his mother, Nancy Houghtaling, of German parentage. Both died when he was but a lad,and he was " bound out " under the provisions usual in such cases-three months of school yearly until 21 and at that period $100 and two suits of clothes. But the condition of schooling being unfulfilled, Mr. Close consid- ered himself liberated, and at the end of seven years took his fate into his own hands. He went to Canada and hired for $10 a month, making the best possible disposal of his odd moments to obtain an education, and at 21 was competent to teach. At that time he came in possession of $800, and in 1843 bought 240 acres in Grat- tan. He was married the following year to Mary B. Potter. The tp. was in its earliest days; the dense forest was still intact, and dividing lines indefinite and little known. The young people were resolved to be married in Grattan and they decided the location by the " blazed " trees. They stood on one side of the line of Kent county, and "'Squire Cook," who performed the ceremony, on the other, in Ionia county, under the huge trees and the canopy of heaven. The rela- tion then formed is still unbroken. Mr. and Mrs. Close have lived together nearly half a century, and look back upon their lives with few regrets. Of their six children two died in infancy, and two, Gideon and Mary, later in life. The latter died at 13. She was a child of unusual promise and remarkable intellect, which was manifest in the extraordinary merit of several poems slie wrote, some of which were published. Two daughters are living-Clara A. (Mrs. Charles Eddy), and Susanna L. (wife of A. C. Huntly). The incidents of the pioneer life of Mr. Close were parallel to those of others frequently related in this volume, but are remembered by him and his wife as times not of trial or privation, but of well di- rected energy, of fresh, hopeful youth and courageous effort, whose fruits now fill their lives' sunset with cheer and comfort. He is a man of modest pretensions, and respected by his townsmen as a peaceful, orderly and public-spirited citizen. He taught the first school in Grattan, the sessions being held in the upper part of his log house, which was also the scene of the first town meeting. He is a Jackson Democrat, never had a lawsuit in his life, and has filled inost of the tp. offices. He was the first mover in the organi- zation of the Pioneer Society of Grattan. He was a farmer 35 years, and having accumulated a fine fortune, retired from active life, and resides in Grattan village.
Alexander Cowan was born in Washington Co., N. Y., in 1822; is son of Peter and Catharine (Green) Cowan, both natives of the saine place. His education was acquired in Onondaga county, and in 1848 he and his father set out for this State. They stopped three months in Washtenaw county, and then moved to this tp. and located 300 acres, including corners of three different townships. Mr. Cowan owns about 600 acres of land, and has cleared and im- proved a larger acreage than any other man in the tp. He began
44
·
768
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
life with nothing, save his manhood's strength and persistent determination to succeed, and lives to enjoy the results of his efforts and courage. He is well versed in general matters, and has acquired an extensive fund of information in the experience of his life. He was married in Grattan in 1852, to Almira L. Laverty, daughter of one of the oldest pioneers of Oakfield. They have three children-Ora E., Vera V. and Otho E. Mr. Cowan is a member of Grattan Lodge, No. 192, F. & A. M.
John G. Cowan was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1837. His father was Scotch and his mother of Irish parentage. They set- tled in Courtland in the winter of 1848, and eight years after moved to Grattan. Mr. Cowan commenced his struggle in life without aid, and by the exercise of courage, judgment and per- sistency has acquired a competency, and is ranked among the most substantial citizens of the tp. He has handled a large amount of real estate, and now owns a farm of 57 acres. He was married in the spring of 1865, to Jane Rogers, of York, Washtenaw Co., where her parents were early settlers. James Cowan, his brother, enlisted in Brady's Sharpshooters, afterward attached to the 16th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inft., and belonging to the Army of the Potomac. He passed safely through the battles of the Wilderness, and was killed while on picket guard at Laurel Hill, June 11, 1864.
Martin Doyle was born in November, 1814, in Wexford Co., Ireland; is son of Daniel and Elizabeth Doyle. He came to America in 1843, and landed at New York, May 18. He was in New Jersey a month, and came to Raisin, Lenawee Co .. Mich., where he bought 80 acres of land, which he rented, and himself worked as a farm-hand four years and nine months. He sold his land, and came to Grattan, where he had purchased the previous winter 200 acres of land on sec. 20. He left another man in charge of his farm and stock, and went to Lansing and Kalamazoo, where he remained nearly a year. He has since added to his real estate until he owns 345 acres, with good dwelling and other necessary buildings. He was married Feb. 18, 1849, to Susan Nugent, of Grand Rapids; they have had nine children, born as follows- Agatha, Sept. 11, 1850, died Sept. 15, 1850; Mary E., Feb. 18, 1852; Sarah A., Feb. 19, 1854; Daniel A., March 29, 1856; Hugh B., July 27, 1858; Martin J., Nov. 27, 1860; Emanuel J., March 5, 1863; Ellen C., Oct. 6, 1865, and James G., Oct. 1, 1867. Politically Mr. Doyle is a Democrat; the family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Edward Flynn was born in 1815, in County Galloway, Ireland. In 1823 his father and mother, Edward and Ann Flynn, with nine children, came to America, remained nine years, and went back to Ireland. In 1832 they returned to United States and landed from stress of weather on the coast of Maine, and finally settled at St. Johns, N. B. Mr. Flynn, so far as he knows, is the only one liv- ing of his father's family; his parents died in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1836 he came to Boston, and enlisted the next
769
GRATTAN TOWNSHIP.
year in the regular army; was assigned to duty in Florida, where he was stationed five years, and afterward was sent to Plattsburg. Four years after the Mexican war broke out, and the regiment (Second Regulars, Col. Bennett Riley) was ordered in 1846 to Mexico, where it was engaged in the fights at Contreras, Cerro Gordo and Cherubusco. At the close of the war, in 1848, he was discharged, and came to Grattan, locating on his present property. He was married in 1843, to Bridget Noonan, a native of Ireland. His eldest son was born in Mexico, and his wife was Hospital Matron during the Mexican war. They have four chil- dren -- Edward (married), Bridget, John and Catherine.
Horace B. Ford was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1834. He is son of Alva and Mary (Barnes) Ford, the former a native of Vermont, a farmer and a soldier of 1812. His mother was born in Oneida Co., N. Y. In the spring of 1852 Mr. Ford and his father located on the farm they have since occupied. The only abode was a log hut, over-run by briers, which they burned and replaced with a new house. His father was 62 years old, but he entered into the work of clearing and improving the land with all the vigor and buoyancy of youth. Mr. Ford has added 40 acres to the original purchase, and now owns 100 acres in satisfactory condition. He was married in January, 1864, to Mary, daughter of Franklin Bramble, an influential citizen of Wayne Co., Mich. Mr. Bram ble was killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Mrs. Clarissa Bramble, aged 81, lives with her daughter, Mrs. Ford. They have two children -- Della and Jessie. Mr. Ford is a member of Grat- tan Lodge of Masons, No. 196.
C. E. Francisco was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., and came to Kent county in 1847 with his parents, Charles and Roxana Fran- cisco. His father was justly esteemed as one of Grattan's noblest pioneers and citizens, and his fellow townsmen still cherish his memory and regret his loss. He and his wife both died in this tp. They had four boys and one girl. Win. M. enlisted in the 25th M. V. I. and was killed at Nashville in the last volley fired by the artillery of the retreating enemy. The farm now occupied by Mr. Francisco was at the end of an Indian trail, then the sole thorough- fare through the otherwise trackless and uncut forest. He was married in 1864 to Cora Barton. Her parents were natives of New York and are both living. Their children are- - M., Ella and Minnie.
Richard Giles (deceased) was born in County Waterford, Ireland, Dec. 2, 1799. His parents lived and died in the same county. He came to America in 1834, and lived one year in Madison Co., N. Y., and moved to Grass Lake, Jackson Co., where he worked ou the railroad for seven years, and settled in Grattan, among the first pioneers of the tp., in 1843, preceded a few days only by Dennis and John McCarthy. Mr. Giles took up 320 acres of Government land at $1.25 per acre. It was like a wilderness, with no roads, and supplies had to be brought from Gull Prairie. He was mar-
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