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 80

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 80

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).

809

GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

was bright; but as the days grew apace men began to realize the fact that speculation ran dangerously high. The banks first fell, and as has been said by Mr. Ball, the high hopes of the first half of this year were scattered ; faces began to indicate thought and care ; business flagged, and Mr. Campau's laborers and mechanics, lacking occupation, began to seek labor elsewhere. No sale for corner-lots, and no money to pay for bread to eat. In Kent county, not half enough grain, of all kinds, was raised to feed the horses, and all else had to come from Ohio or New York ; for to the west of us, they had raised as little as we. As another trouble, our wild-cat money would not buy things beyond our own limits.

Monroe street follows the trail to Campau's Indian trading post, on the bank of the river. It kept along close to the impassable swamp, extending north from the corner of Monroe and Division streets, then wound along at the foot of an abrupt hill from Ottawa to Pearl streets. This same hill connected with the now disappear- ing hill between Pearl and Lyon streets. Beyond these hills the trail descended to Bronson street. South of Monroe street the descent was steep, and the ground was so low as to be deeply covered at high water. The boat channel of the river was between the island and the main, and the landing was where the blocks of stores now are, on the south side of Monroe street, at the foot of Canal street.

In 1837 Louis Campau built a house, intending it for a church; and it was so used for a short time. It appears, however, that he required the payment of a certain sum of money, and this not being forthcoming, he sold the building to the Congregational society, reserving the iron cross which surmounted its mimic cupola. In removing it they found some difficulty in lifting it from its fastening, when unfortunately, Capt. Parrish and Mr. Post determined to saw the iron through. In carrying out this plan sufficient caution was not exercised. Mr. Post did not wait for the aid of Capt. Parrish, so that the iron was allowed to fall to the ground, and in its descent carried Mr. Post with it. The death of this man was the unfortunate result. This building was located at the head of Monroe street, where the Porter block now stands.

The following reminiscences of Mr. Ball deal very fully with Grand Rapids in 1837. He came here as a representative or member of a company of Eastern capitalists, for the purpose of making such investments as would appear to him just. On his first visit to the village of Grand Rapids he stayed at the Eagle tavern, then the only one in the place, and kept by Wm. Godfroy. It was then November, the nights cold, the house not plastered, the house full-two in a bed. "When the lights were out, " he states, "I heard from all quarters bitter complaints of bed fel- lows that they 'pulled the clothes off,' not just understanding that the coverings being narrow Indian blankets, if a man covered himself, he uncovered his neighbor. I rather enjoyed the com-

810

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

plaining. The next morning we rode down to Grandville before breakfast. There being no tavern, we were directed to Charles Oakes for accommodations. They answered that they could feed our horses, but not us; but after urging our necessities, Mrs. Oakes was moved to compassion, and gave us a cup of good coffee. But then we wanted something to carry into the woods, and were told that there was nothing to be had in the village, but that on our way a Mr. Ketchum was building a mill, and there we could get plenty. But on arriving there, where Jennison's planing mill now is, they informed us that all they had was some flour and beef. So we waited until they baked a loaf of bread, which we took, and some of the uncooked beef; put into the woods, and took our course to a point where we had some vague information there was pine timber. This brought us, at dark, into the south part of what is now the town of Blendon, and we camped on a branch of the Black river. During the night, we heard the deer tramping about us in the leaves, attracted, probably, by the fire; and the wolves, as usual, howling in the distance. , The next morning we explored about for a time, but not finding what we were looking for, we turned to come out, for we had taken but one day's pro- visions. But after a time we found ourselves in the midst of a fine tract of pine timber, and immediately turned away to see its extent, and under the excitement kept on until dark. Then we lay down without supper, in order to have something for breakfast. On waking in the morning, we found our blankets covered with snow, and being still in the pines, we were unwilling to give it up until we had exp'ored still further. We finally struck down toward the river, expecting to find some road leading out, but there was none. We met some Indians on the river, and offered them three dollars to bring us up to Grandville in their canoes. But they declined, and we tramped on; over bluffs and through swamps, till dark; kindled a fire with our last match, and lay down, hungry and weary.

" The next morning we got out to Grandville about 9 o'clock, and succeeded in getting something to eat, notwithstanding the scarcity. As yet nothing had been raised in Kent county or Ottawa, and nothing like a supply in Ionia; and all had to be brought by way of the lakes from Buffalo or Cleveland. But we had not explored the lands minutely enough for purchasing. So, a short time after, my man, his son and myself, with a tent and better outfit, went in again, and spent two or three days. Giving them quite a bonus for their interest in the lands, I entered the whole tract, 41 eighty-avre lots, in my own name - the same lands from which the Blendon Company, long afterward, lumbered. This c mpany were the Messrs. Brinsmaid, Leonard and Whipple, mentioned before as furnishing the capital with which I operated. Finding the prospects of profit so small, I had before given them a deed of the lands, charging nothing for my services. 'Specu- lation' No. 1.

811

GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

"I was little at Grand Rapids the first fall and winter I was in the State. But one time, when there, I went up through the mud and among the stumps, to Bridge street, where Mr. Coggeshall lived, and met a man at an office west of his house, and asked him the price of lots. He-it was Judge Almy -- answered, that on Canal and Kent streets they were $50 a front foot, or $2,500 a lot. I did not invest, and made no further inquiry about lots in Grand Rapids.

" One time, in the winter, I was at Grandville. Wishing to look for lands farther down the river, a Mr. White and some other Grand Haven men there invited me to go down the river on the ice with them. They had a cutter, and the ice being smooth, we all rode. Arriving at Grand Haven, I stopped at Mr. Luke White's, where I got acquainted with T. D. Gilbert, Mr. Ferry, Mr. Troop, Capt. White, and most of the then few inhabitants of the place. I then employed a half-breed man, a brother of Mrs. Oakes, to go . with me into the woods, though it was mid-winter and the snow knee-deep. We went out south, to and up the creek that falls into Port Sheldon lake, and so, about the woods for four or five days, and came out at the mouth of the Bass river. When night came on, we encamped in the lee of some fallen tree, scraped away the snow, collected hemlock boughs for a bed, built up a rousing fire, and made ourselves very comfortable. But it was by the skill of my companion, for he was an old hunter, and knew well how to make camp. But I found no land that I thought it an object to purchase; so I came up to Grandville, and went out into what is now Byron. When there, Mr. Nathan Boynton, with his brothers, Perry and William, as boarders, were the only in- habitants. There I found some 1,000 acres of good farming land, which I bought. I think Mr. Osgood and Mr. Blake had then come to Grandville, and were keeping the first tavern there.

"I passed part of the winter at Detroit, going and returning by different routes. One time I went directly south from Ionia, on a trail to Marshall, passing through Vermontville and Bellevue; stopped at the former place over night, finding there only three families. At Detroit I met Capt. Victor Harris, and told him about the Grand River country. Gov. Mason, Mr. Schoolcraft, with his half-breed wife, and many members of the Legislature, boarded at the American, where I had taken up my quarters. Judge Almy was the member from the Grand River district.

"They legislated boldly that winter; passed the law for making the $5,000,000 loan, for the survey of three railroads and two canals across the State and the general wild-cat banking law.

"One day I was walking along Jefferson avenue, and overtook two boys talking, and there was the discharge of a cannon. One boy said to the other: 'Now Michigan is a State.' And so it was. They were firing at the news of its admission, just from Washing- ton. This was in February. But though just admitted, it had been running on it's own account from October, 1835; had had the

812

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Toledo war, and all that. Finally she submitted, and took the Upper Peninsula.

"I returned by what was called the 'Northern Route;' found Pontiac, a little village. They were building a mill at Fenton. Elisha Williams was the only man in Shiawassee county, and Scott in Clinton. So it was a day's journey from house to house. From Scott's there was a trail direct to Lyons, through the dense timber, 25 miles, and another road by Portland, where there were a few families. I well recollect finding very comfortable quarters in the tavern at Lyons, kept by Judge Lyon. One day, coming from Ionia, I was intending to stop at Mr. Edward Robinson's, but, from the snow drifted on the open Indian fields, lost my track, and turned back to a shanty where some men were building a block house, which was afterward the tavern of Ada. They very kindly invited me to stop with them, saying they could put my horse in the shed, and could give me lodgings; and thus I should be the first traveler stopping at a public house in that place. One of these persons was Mr. Burnett. I traveled all winter on horse- back. Although the sleighing was good, I did not trust its con- tinuance.

" My business had led me to travel much up and down the Grand River country, and I had become acquainted with the people elsewhere than at Grand Rapids. But in the spring of 1837, I sat down at Grand Rapids to make it my permanent home. I boarded at the Eagle, then kept by the late Louis Moran. The three brothers Nelson were boarders, and had a store opposite. Being a little suspicious of Indian sugar, they used to bring sugar from the store for their tea and coffee. Charles Taylor had his shop over their store, and Horsford Smith had a store further down the street. Waterloo was then rather the business street. There were two warehouses on the river below, and two at the foot of Monroe street. Uncle Louis Campau's mansion is still a part of the Rath- bun House. Richard Godfroy had a like house where the Catholic church was built (the sad fate of that house is elsewhere noted), and Myron Hinsdill lived where is now the Morton House. There . was also a building on the north side of Monroe street, in which Drs. Willson and Shepard had their office, and Esquire Beebe (I think) his justice office. Dea. Page with his three beautiful daughters, Mrs. Richmond one of them, and Judge Almy, lived where Butterworth & Lowe's machine shop now is, and A. D. Rath- bun had a shanty office near Bronson street.

" Though there were but few houses, there were a good many people. There were the brothers Lyman, and Edward Emerson, and then, or soon after, one Fuller. I cannot say precisely who were in Grand Rapids, as they were coming in fast, and all full of hope for the continuance of good money-making times that would make all rich. The citizens were friendly and social; a stranger was kindly welcomed, and all soon became acquainted. Quite a num- ber of us who well recollect those good old times are still here.

813

GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

"There were many others. Mr. Thompson was the first keeper of the Bridge Street House, and then Gen. Withey. Wm. Rich- mond was clerk of the Kent Company. Mr. Calder had a store near Mr. Coggeshall's; Ed. Emerson, one on Canal street; and many French people had followed Uncle Louis-the Godfroys, Mr. Marion, and many mechanics, who, after a change of times, went to St. Louis and other parts.

" The settlers out of the village were Judge Davis, and the Reeds, out by the lake; Alvan Wansley, the Messrs. Guild and Burton, by the Fair Grounds; Esquire Chubb and Howlett toward Grandville; and then, over the river, Mr. E. Turner, Capt. Sibley, the Messrs. Davis, and afterward Mr. Scribner. Others had gone upon the lately purchased Indian lands, and soon many more came in, and went upon the unsurveyed lands north of the Grand river.

" There was no grist-mill this side of one near Gull Prairie; nor was there need of any, for the little grain raised, whether wheat or oats, was bought up for horse feed, at $2 per bushel. There was a saw-mill about where Sweet's Hotel now stands; one where the plaster-mill stands, at Plaster creek, and the Indian Mill, on Indian Mill creek. They did put into the last-named mill a run of gran- ite stones to crack corn, and the like. At a later day, coming into possession of that property after the mill had disappeared, I removed these stones to the front of my house, where they are an historical horse-block.

"The Indians still lived on the west side of the river, and planted large fields of corn. They had a little church and a priest-the simple-hearted and good Vizoiski. Horace Grey and his brother Lyman were also here; and that spring Horace and I went down the river to Grand Haven in a kind of keel-boat, sailed by Capt. Sibley, and propelled by the current. We walked down the lake shore to Muskegon, where were then living only Mr. Lasley and Mr. Trottier (called Trucky), Indian traders. Martin Ryerson, the last time I saw him, told me he was then clerk of Trottier, at $8 per month. On our return. up the river, we came as far as Yeo- mans (Lamont) in a little ' dug-out' canoe, as big as a clam-shell. Stopping over night, we concluded that it would be easier to foot it up through the woods than to paddle the canoe around by the river. On our way, who should we meet but Capt. Victor Harris, who said he had come out to the Grand river on my recommenda- tion of the country when he met me in Detroit.

" That spring there was great activity in business here and all over the country, and an expectation of a continuance of the good times. But, as unexpected as the sudden thunder storm, a change came over the whole country. The New York Legislature passed a law authorizing the banks to suspend specie payment; and Gov. Mason convened ours for the same purpose. At that extra session they not only authorized the banks then in operation to suspend, but also such banks as should go into operation under the general banking law lately passed, which resulted in the killing of 40 wild- cat banks.

814

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

" When I left Detroit in April, all was hope and expectation of as good a season for speculation as the preceding one; but when there again in June, all the plats of choice lands and villages were removed from the walls of the hotels and public places, and all faces had so changed that one could hardly recognize his acquaintances; and it was taken as an insult for one to speak of land operations. But we were so deep in the woods that we did not seem to realize, for some time, the great change that had come over the rest of the world.

" Among the Grand Rapids' enterprises, a steamboat had been bought at Toledo to run on the Grand river. But on the way it was wrecked on Thunder Bay island, of Lake Huron. But the engine was saved and brought around, and Mr. Richard Godfroy built a boat which made its first trip down to Grandville on the 4th of July. We had quite a celebration; an oration on the boat, and great rejoicing generally on that account.

" Though I met no one in the Grand River Valley who had ever seen me before I came to the State, still, strangely, they nominated and elected me to the Legislature, to represent the Grand River district, consisting of Ottawa, Kent, Ionia and Clinton counties. Almy and some others were aspirants, and had their friends; still, my nomination was almost unanimous. Capt. Stoddard (captain of the steamboat), a brother-in-law of Mr. Bostwick, was the Whig candidate; a worthy man, who lived afterward at Charlotte.

" There were then the two taverns -- the Bridge Street and the Eagle. The convention was held at the Bridge Street House,and I was board- ing at the Eagle. In the evening who should arrive but the Hon. C. C. Woodbridge, the Whig candidate for Governor -- out canvassing. He was acquainted with the landlady, Mrs. Moran, and she intro- dnced him to me. He inquired of me for his friends-Henry, Bostwick and Stoddard. So after he had taken his supper, I showed him where they lived. The gentlemen being out, I intro- duced him to the ladies. The next morning, on meeting Mr. Woodbridge, he expressed, as well he might, his surprise at seeing in the backwoods such a circle of accomplished ladies; and, also, that a political opponent should have been so civil to him.

"There were but five places of holding the polls; there being but five organized townships in the four counties. In Kent county, Byron and Kent; in Ionia county, Ionia and Maple; and in Clin- ton county, De Witt. The election was held at the Bridge Street Hotel. All the voters of Ottawa county came up by the steamboat, and, in a line, marched to the polls. I was elected by a large ma- jority, and in January, 1838, went to Detroit on horseback. The going was very bad, for there had been heavy rains and snow. At Detroit I put up at the National, now the Russell House.

" The great question before the Legislature that winter, were the location of the railroads, and the amount to be expended on each road. For the improvement of the Grand and Maple rivers, $30,- 000 was appropriated, which was applied to improving the harbor at

815

GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

ness at the corner of Canal and Bronson streets, built by Hilton & Grand Rapids, clearing out the river channel at the foot of Monroe street, and removing the sunken logs all the way up the river to Lyons. Several towns were organized. In Ottawa-Ottawa, Georgetown and Talmadge; in Kent-Grand Rapids, Paris, Walker, Plainfield, Ada, and Vergennes. Some titles were given in the military line; Gen. Withey and Col. Finney were commissioned. Rix Robinson was made one of the five internal improvement com- missioners. There was a law passed authorizing Kent county to borrow money to build a court-house; Squire Abel and Judge Davis were the Supervisors of the county."

Solomon L. Withey, present Judge of the United States District Court, W. H. Withey and Orison Withey, the three sons of Brig .- Gen. Withey, a settler of 1836, John T. Holmes, ex-Judge of the Grand Rapids Superior Court, Amos Roberts, J. T. Finney, C. W. Taylor, W. D. Roberts and Erastus Clark settled here in 1838; G. B. Rathbun, Ira S. Hatch, Amos Rathbun, F. D. Richmond and W. W. Anderson arrived in 1839; Silas Hall, Geo. Luther and Henry Seymour in 1841; John W. Squier, Heman Leonard and R. E. Butterworth in 1842. W. N. Cook, Josiah M. Cook, J. I. Stamboro, Tucker, Joseph and Henry Escot came in the fall of 1843. During the five years ending in February, 1843, immigration may be said to have ceased. The men who arrived here during that period with very few exceptions came for the pur- pose of studying law, teaching school, or assisting in the stores of the village. They were indirect contributors to the welfare of the community, and as has been shown, in later days reaped many public honors.

The spring of 1838 was remarkable for the results of the break- ing up of the ice. The river was divided, part overflowing what forms the commercial center of the city, and the other flooding the west side. The shanty of Bridge & Co., then standing on the site of the Kent flouring mills, was swept away, with stores, personal property, wagons, etc. The only cow in the neighborhood was drowned, notwithstanding the efforts made to rescue her. This was the only cow at that time in "Kent" village, and her loss was a communal one. It is said this cow belonged to Abel Page.

In December, 1840, the drug store of F. J. Higginson was moved into W. G. Henry's store, on Monroe street, opposite the Rathbun; Haldane and Covill had their office on Prospect Hill; the National Hotel was kept by Canton Smith; the book-store at the corner of Kent and Bronson streets was kept by John W. Pierce; K. Woodward, architect and builder, had a shop at the foot of Monroe street; Loren M. Page, painter and glazier, at the corner of Lyon and Bostwick streets; A. Roberts' general store was at the foot of Monroe, and subsequently in the Commercial block; John Wendeil and Smith Evans & Co. kept a similar store . on Monroe; Granger & Ball carried on an extensive general busi-

816

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Granger in 1837, for Nelson Bros .; Smith, Harris & Co. kept a general store at the corner of Louis and Waterloo streets; Geo. Martin's law office was at the corner of Canal and Bronson streets ; Sam. B. Romaine, jr., had a law office at the corner of Bridge and Kent streets; T. B. Church had an office on Monroe in 1843; Mar- tin & Johnson had their office at the northeast corner of Lyon and Canal streets; S. L. Withey studied law in this office.

Barney Burton, a child of ten summers, and a son of Josiah Burton, was drowned June 18, 1841. The first attempt to organize a district temperance circle was inade at Grand Rapids, June 30, 1841, under the direction of H. E. Waring, H. White and J. Bal- lard. The Fourth of July was duly celebrated that year. John Almy presided, with J. F. Chubb, Rix Robinson, E. W. Davis and Roswell Britton, Vice-Presidents; Wm. I. Blakely was Marshal; Chas. H. Taylor, Reader; S. M. Johnson, Orator, and M. Hoyt, Chaplain. The store of Col. Roberts, at the foot of Monroe street, was burglarized Nov. 12, 1841, and $625 taken .:

The exports of Grand River Valley, for 1841, were estimated as follows: 5,426 barrels of flour, 4,000,000 feet of pine lumber, 2,550,000 shingles, 4,000 pounds of potash, 50 barrels of beans, $25,000 worth of furs, and $5,000 worth of sugar, plaster and other articles. Toward the close of the year the new plaster-mill of Granger & Ball added materially to the exports; but the value of their shipments is not known. During the nine years preced- ing the 31st of December, 1841, of the 62 persons who came to Grand Rapids in 1832-'3, only four died-three children and one adult, leaving 58 of the old settlers to welcome the year 1842. The State salt well furnishes a story which was current at one time,-that its failure was due to an accident " purposely planned." The drill stuck fast and could not be removed. the workmen having struck brine much stronger than that at the Lyon well, which ex- cited the jealousy of the owners of the latter enterprise. Such a story should be always taken with a " grain of salt," as it is alto- gether improbable that Lucius Lyon would so interfere with an honest effort on the part of the State.

The name of "Kent" village and township was changed to Grand Rapids in 1842, under Legislative authority, and March 20, that year, the people began to observe the act. The steamboat "Enterprise " was launched in March, for Granger & Ball.

Aug. 25, 1842, a society to promote immigration was formed, when Lucius Lyon was elected President; Geo. Coggeshall and Darius Winsor, Vice Presidents; S. M. Johnson, Recording Secre- tary; L. Lyon, Corresponding Secretary; E. B. Bostwick, Treas- urer: James Scribner, Thomas B. Church and I. V. Harris, Executive Committee. Lucius Lyon presided at the first meeting, with I. V. Harris and S. M. Johnson, Secretaries.

Dr. Nind, the phrenologist, delivered a series of lectures at Grand Rapids during September, 1842. The Lyon salt works

817

GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

closed down in July, 1842, on account of the difficulty in shutting off fresh water and fixing tubes, reopened Oct. 6. The Ly- ceum entertainments were revived in December. On the 21st of the same month E. M. Miller and Hovey murdered an Indian woman in a most brutal manner. Miller was captured and im- prisoned at Grand Rapids. A line of stages was established be- tween Grand Rapids and Battle Creek, Dec. 24, 1842. As early as 1842 pew-renting was established here. On Sunday, the last day of the year, an auction of the pews in St. Mark's church took place.

Rev. E. E. Butterworth, who settled at Grand Rapids in 1842, in referring to the village, says: "The village at that date had been settled but 10 years. The land had been purchased in 1831 by Louis Campau, an Indian trader, from the United States Gov- ernment, and a few years subsequently the northern part of it was sold by him to Lucius Lyon. The population of the village was but a few hundred; no bridges spanned the river; Indian trails formed the only roads; traffic in furs and shingles was the only trade; the land did not produce food enough for its inhabitants; so that the greater portion of supplies had to be brought from the country south during the winter months.

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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 80

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