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 89
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The officers at present are : Geo. W. LaBour, H. P .; James N. Davis, K .; W. H. Wheeler, S .; N. B. Scribner, C. of H .; F. A. Holcomb, P. S .; Geo. E. Kirk, R. A. C .; A. J. Elliot, M. 3 VI. ; J. W. McGowen, M. 2; H. M. Dumas, M. 1; E. D. Benedict, Treasurer; L. A. Rogers, Secretary; and Ira W. Evans, Tyler. The present membership of the chapter is 220.
Grand River Lodge, No. 34, was organized March 19, 1849, by a special dispensation from the Grand Master of the State of Michigan. The first officers were: Truman H. Lyon, W. M .; Ira. S. Hatch, S. W .; Aaron Dikeman, J. W .; Henry Eaton, Treasurer; Wm. D. Moore, Secretary; Julius Granger, S. D .; Geo. M. Mills, J. D .; Harry Dean, Tyler,-all of whom are dead except Aaron Dikeman and Harry Dean. The present officers are-Isaac H. Parrish, W. M .; B. S. Hanchett, S. W .; De Witt C. Blackmer, J.
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901
GRAND RAPIDS CITY.
W .; Eben Anderson, Treasurer; L. A. Rogers, Secretary; James Cooper, S. D .; John M. Butler, J. D .; Ira W. Evans, Tyler. The preseut member-hip is over 300.
Valley City Lodge, No. 86, was org inized under dispensation, Nov. 25, 1856, with David S. Leavitt, W. M .; J. W. Sligh, S. W .; Ed. S. Earle, J. W. The charter members composed: Wm. R. Barnard, Wright L. Coffinberry, Ed. S. Earle, John T. Holmes, Wm. P. Innes, Samuel A. Judd, Ed. D. Benedict, John C. Buchanan, David S. Leavitt, Julius Leonard, Alex. V. Mann, John McConnell, Ed. McCollum, Seymour S. Porter, Adam Pat- terson, Benj. F. Porter, Wm. H. Reynolds, Jas. W. Sligh. Henry Spring. The charter officers, elected January, 1857, were: David S. Leavitt, W. M .; Jas. W. Sligh, S. W .; Ed. S. Earle, J. W .; Seymour S. Porter, Treasurer; Wm. H. Reynolds, Secretary; Benj. F. Porter, S. D ; Sam. A. Judd, J. D .; Henry Dean, Tyler.
The worshipful masters from organization to the present time, included: D. S. Leavitt, 1857-'8; Jas. W. Sligh, 1859; Ed. D. Benedict, 1860-'1; W. K. Wheeler, 1862-'3-'4 '5-6-'7-'8-1870-'1; J. C. Parker, 1869; J. N. Davis, 1872-'3-'4; Wm. P. Innes, 1875; Geo. W. La Bour, 1876-'7-'8-'9-'80-'1; The officers for the year 1881, are:' Geo. W. La Bour, W. M .; R. D. Swartwout, S. W .; Willis P. Sharpe, J. W .; Ed. D. Benedict, Treasurer; Jas. N. Davis, Secretary; Jas. Rawson, S. D .; Allan Bell. J. D .; Ira W. Evans, Tyler.
Tyre Council was organized July 27, 1860, with 14 charter members. The following were the first officers: E. D. Benedict, T. I. G. M .; W. P. Innes, D. I. G. M .; David A. Davitt, P. C. W .; T. H. Lyon, Treasurer; Wm. H. Reynolds, Rec .; S. A. Judd, C. of G .; L. A. Rogers, S .; H. Dean, Sentinel. The T. I. G. Masters from organization to the present time, include E. D. Benedict, David S. Leavitt, William H. Tanner, Charles H. John- son, J. Goldsmith, jr., William J. Long, George Voorhis, and John W. Champlin. The present officers of the Council are: George Voorhis, T. I. G. M .; John Goldsmith, D. I. G. M .; John Bole, P. C. of W .; Thomas Gibbins, Treasurer; John L. Curtis, Recorder; George W. La Bour, C. of G .; Peter Gorter, Sentinel. This branch of the order comprises 56 members at present.
Humboldt Lodge, No. 276, was instituted in 1870. After an existence of 10 years, it surrendered its charter and records to Col. W. P. Innes, Grand Secretary.
North Star Lodge No. 4 (colored), was organized in January, 1872, with ten members. The first officers were: Jacob Hiwarden, W. M .; George Anderson, S. W .; J. C. Craig, J. W .; Jesse Walker, Treas. The present officers comprise: Henry Daley, W. M .; J. C. Ford, S. W .; Charles Deartson, J. W .; J. C. Craig, Treas .; George Alexander, Sec .; William Clark, S. D .; Harry Robinson, J. D .; George Wilson, S .; Daniel Johnson, S .; George Washing- ton, T. Present membership, 28.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Masons' Mutual Benefit Association of Western Michigan was instituted in 1875 with 35 members. The officers elected July 6, 1875, were: William P. Innes, President; Crawford Angel, Vice- President; E. D. Benedict, Jacob Barth, L. A. Rogers, E. Ander- son, J. M. Davis, J. B. Graves, William H. Reynolds, C. J. Kruger, Trustees; L. A. Rogers, Secretary; E. D. Benedict, Treasurer. The present officers are: W. P. Innes, President; Crawford Angel, Vice- President; Ed. D. Benedict, Secretary, and Jacob Barth, Treasurer. The Board of Trustees comprises: A. B Botsford, John L. Curtis, James N. Davis, William Dunham, A. H. Fowle, Elias Matter, Grand Rapids; O. B. Barber, Caledonia; W. H. Fish, Sparta; R. A. Hall, Coldwater; S. J. Koon, Lisbon; E. J. Pruin, Spring Lake; M. W. Riker, Hastings; W. J. H. Saunders, Grand Haven, and A. P. Thomas, Howard City. The two classes of membership comprise 3,840 members.
Doric Lodge No. 342 (West Side) was organized Aug. 29, 1876, with 32 members. The first officers were: W. M., William K. Wheel- - er; S. W., N. B. Scribner; J. W., W. B. Folger; Treasurer, J. B. Folger; Secretary, C. W. Loud; J. D., D. E. Emery ; S. W., Joseph Albright; T., Philip Young. This lodge claims, at present, a mem- bership of 75, including the following named officers: W. M., W. K. Wheeler; S. W., M. L. Northrop; J. W., W. N. Quackenbush; Treasurer, J. B. Folger; Secretary, C. W. Loud; S. D., Alexander Dale; J. D., A. C. Hydom; Tyler, Philip Young.
The De Witt Clinton Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32d, wasorganized in 1866 at Kalamazoo, and removed to Grand Rapids by permission of the " Supreme Council, " where it was reorganized Aug. 15, 1878. The present officers are: John D. Jennings, 33, Illustrious Com. in Chief; Alonzo C. Whitcomb, Ill. 1st Lieut. Com .; Heman N. Moore, Ill. 2d Lieut. Com .; William P. Innes, 33, Ill. Min. of S. & G. O .; J. Q. Adams, Ill. G. Ch .; Alonzo H. Fowle, Ill. G. M. C .; E. D. Benedict, Ill. Sec. K. of S .; Jacob Barth, Ill. Treasurer; John W. Drew, Ill. G. Eng. & A .; John Goldsmith, Ill. S. B .; Fred. J. Morrison, Ill. Capt. of G .; Leonard T. Guild, Ill. G. Org .; Charles S. Robinson, Ill. G. T.
The Rose Croix Chapter was organized Dec. 1, 1866, at Kala- mazoo, Mich., and reorganized at Grand Rapids in October, 1878. The present officers are W. P. Innes, 33, M. W. & P. M .; Charles H. Brown, 33, M. E. & P. K. S. W .; M. E. & P. . K J. W .; Daniel Striker, M. E. & P. K. G. O .; R. D. Swartout, R. & P. K. Sec. & K. of S. & A .; Jacob Barth, R. & P. K. Treas- urer; E. H. Fowle, R. & P. K. G. M. C .; Fred. J. Morrison, R & P. K. Capt. of G. The chapter claims 125 members.
Cyrus Council, Prince of Jerusalem, was organized in April, 1868, and reorganized in August, 1876. The present officers in- clude: W. P. Innes, 33, M. E. S. G. M .; Charles H. Brown, 33, S. G. W .; Eugene E. Winsor, Sec .; Jacob Barth, Treas .; Alonzo H. Fowle, M. C .; Fred. J. Morrison, M. E. The present mem- bership is 125.
903
GRAND RAPIDS CITY.
Moriah Lodge was organized in April, 1868, and reorganized in August, 1876, by E. D. Benedict, P. T. P. G. M .; Geo. Voorheis, P. D. G. M., with 30 members. The first officers were: John D. Jennings, T. P. G. M .; George Voorheis, D. G. M .; E. D. Benedict, Sec .; C. Burchard, Treas. The present officers include Charles B. Judd, T. P. G. M .; Daniel Striker, D. G. M .; N. B. Scribner, S. G. W .; Eugene E. Winsor, J. G. W .; R. D Swarth- out, Sec .; Jacob Barth, Treas .; Alonzo H. Fowle, M. C .; George E. Hubbard, G. O .; Fred. J. Morrison, C. G .; Michael Rosenfield, S .; Leonard T. Guild, G. Organist. The number of members be- longing to this lodge is 134.
The Knights Templar Lodge was instituted here in November, 1856, by David S. Leavitt, E. C., with 25 charter members. The present officers are: H. M. Moore, E. C .; J. D. Utley, G. ; J. C. Smith, C. G .; Rev. Charles Fluhrer, P .; H. F. Hastings, S. W .; J. D. Lacey, J. W .; Thomas Freeman, Treas .; E. D. Benedict, Recorder; John Brennan, Std. B .; S. E. Watson, Swd. B .; George E. Kirk, W .; F. A. Holcomb, S .; N. D. Scribner, A. J. Elliot, C. B. Judd, Guards. The Eminent Commanders of the order were D. S. Leavitt, E. D. Benedict, J. C. Buchanan, J. W. Champlin, George Gray, L. R. Atwater, L. H. Randall and H. M. Moore, the present E. C. The commandery now claims 152 members.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
Samaritan Lodge, K. of H., 387, was organized Oct. 10, 1876, with the following charter members: William H. DeCamp, Henry A. Formby, O. L. Goyette, W. C. Dennis, James B. Morton, William Crawford, William L. Wilson, J. B. Parker, Allen Dur- fee, Smith Pratt and Cyrus Pedrick. The officers elected at or- ganization were : J. B. Parker, P. D .; W. L. Wilson, D .; Cyrus Pedrick, V. D .; Smith Pratt, A. D .; H. A. Formby, R. and F. R .; W. H. DeCamp, Treasurer; O. L. Goyette, Chaplain; William Crawford, Guide; Allen Durfee, Guard and Sentinel; J. B. Parker, Allen Durfee and Smith Pratt, Trustees. The following are the officers elected for the ensuing term by Samaritan Lodge, No. 387, K. of H., Jan. 23, 1881: Edgar A. Fletcher, Dictator; William B. Loveland, Vice Dictator; Lewis R. Lansing, Assistant Dictator; John G. Steinecke, Past Dictator; Albert H. Standish, Reporter; Henry A. Formby, Financial Reporter; James Dolbee, Treas- urer; Isaac Sigler, Chaplain; A. T. Gray, Guide; Jared O. Smith, Guardian; William Ickler, Sentinel, and Dr. James M. Sligh, Medical Examiner.
Columbus Lodge, R. of H., 664, was organized May 29, 1877, with the following charter members: Moses May, Jacob I. Levi, E. Gerechter, A. C. Davis, Charles H. Dyer, H. E. Fuller, Bern- hard Allen, DeForest Hunt, G. H. Outhouse, Isaac C. Levi, Abram Wilzinski, Wellington Johnson, Charles J. Hupp, Max
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Treusch, S. Gutman, Nathan Rodman and W. G. Cathcart. The officers elected at organization were: C. H. Dyer, P. D .; J. I. Levi, D .; E. Gerechter, V. D .; H. E. Fuller, A. D .; A. C. Davis, R .; Moses May, F. R .; Nathan Rodman, Treasurer; W. Johnson, Chaplain; C. J. Hupp, Guide; W G. Cathcart, Guardian; G. H. Outhouse, Sentinel; Moses May, C. H. Dyer, I. C. Levi, Trustees.
Dec. 4, 1878, Columbus Lodge surrendered its charter and con- solidated with Samaritan Lodge; since which date the lodge mem- bership has been increased by the accession of 21 members. The following is a list of the Past Dictators, belong to the lodge at the present time, with respective dates at which they were raised to the offices: J. B. Parker, Oct. 13, 1876; C. H. Dyer, May 29, 1877; W. L. Wilson, July 11, 1877; Jacob I Levi, Jan. 10, 1878; Smith Pratt, July 3, 1878; E. Gerechter. July 11, 1878; A. B. Richmond, Dec. 18, 1878; A. H. Standish, July 2, 1879; Mo-es May, Jan. 7, 1881), E. J. Herrick, July 8, 1880; I. M. Wilcox, Jan. 9, 1881, and A. Steinecke, July 6, 1881.
Mystic Lodge, 689, west side, was organized July, 1877, when the following were elected first officers : W. H. Powers, P. D .; James H. Walker, Treasurer; Charles Pelton, R .; George A. Hall, F. R. The present officers of the lodge are : H. M. Reynolds, P. D .; Lyman Keeney, P .; William Cox, Treasurer; J. W. Haywood, F. R .; W. W. Hall, R. The present membership numbers 25.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.
The officers of Court Zunder, No. 8, for 1881-'2, are : Harry. Newman, C. R .; Charles Fox, V. C. R .; Eber Rice, Receiving Secretary; A. C. Parker, Treasurer; D. A. Laubenstein, Financial Secretary; Wm. Echternacht, S. W .; Seidell, J. W .; J. H. Nettle, S. B .; A. Worfell, J. B .: Dr. Laubenstein, Physician. The State ·High Court of the Independent Order of Foresters closed its ses- sion at Grand Rapids Aug. 10, 1881. The following officers of the State Court were elected for the ensuing term : John H. Roberts. of Grand Rapids, State High Chief Ranger; J. W. Johnson, of Lawton, State Vice High Chief Ranger; Eber Rice, of Grand Rapids, State High Secretary; Nathan Kint, of Detroit, State High Treasurer; Charles H. Hosken, of Jackson, State High Physician; Charles Trebing, of Grand Rapids, State High Marshal; F. Schulte, of Jackson, State High Counsellor; Samuel Shellfish, of Detroit, State Senior Woodward; Aaron Kaufman, of Detroit, State Junior Woodward; Charles Gillespie, of Lawton, State Senior Beadle; Mr. Steyskehl, of Detroit, State Junior Beadle; Louis Zunder, of Grand Rapids, State High Chaplain. Mr. Louis Zunder was elected High Representative from this State to the Supreme High Court of the Foresters, which meets at Terre Haute, Ind., on the second Tuesday in June, 1882.
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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
A lodge of Knights of Pythias was reorganized with 28 members Sept. 19, 1881. The officers elected were : H. D. C. Van Asmus, P. C .; A. S. White, C. C .; John Goldsmith, B. C .; W. S. Emery, P. W .; J. M. Wolcott, K. of R. and S .; S. P. Bennett, M. of V .; L. E. Hawkins, G. W. Munson and H. D. C. Van Asmus, Trustees. Application was made for a charter, and the officers; were installed by the officers of the Grand Lodge in October, 1881.
THE RED MEN.
Henry Coole, Grand Sachem of the Independent Order of Red Men of the State of Michigan, instituted a tribe of this order at Grand Rapids, in September 1881, which started out with a charter membership of about 40. The objects and aims of the order are stated to be : "To promote the exercise and practice of the true principles of benevolence and charity, to care for and protect the widows and orphans, and to cultivate and establish friendly rela- tions among mankind." The new tribe is officered as follows : Geo. N. Miller, Grand Sachem; H. A. Ruhlman, Senior Saga- more; John Hart, Junior Sagamore: T. W. Teeven, Chief of Rec- ords; Peter Reynders, Keeper of Wampum; L. V. Moulton, Prophet; L. Hart, Guard of Wigwam; J. Miller, Guard of Forest; Alexander Harper and H. S. Williams, Sanapes; J. Kridler, W. P. Howe, B. F. Lockwood and R. Johns, Warriors; E. Wenn, J. H. Jones, A. A. Kinney and J. H. Sheller, Hunters.
ROYAL ARCANUM.
Bryant Council, No. 182, was organized Oct. 18, 1878, by D. G. Regent, R. A. McCarty, with 17 members. The officers elected were : Regent, A. H. Standish ; Past Regent, Jno. M. Hoon ; Vice-Regent, J. M. Wilcox ; Orator, E. M Adams ; Secretary, E. C. Allen ; Collector, W. Y. Barkley ; Treasurer, W. R. Adams ; Chaplain, R. M. Luton ; Guide, W. E. Remington ; Warden, A. L. Bennett ; Sentry, S. N. Watson ; Trustees, H. H. Holton, J. M. Wilcox, R. K. Putman
The Regent for 1879 was J. M. Wilcox, and for 1880, W. C. Weatherby. The officers for 1881-'2 are: Regent, A. L. Bennett ; Vice-Regent, W. B. Loveland ; Orator, A. J. Holt ; Secretary, H. H. Holton ; Collector. S. W. Watson ; Treasurer, W. R. Adams ; Chaplain, R. A. Baker; Guide, J. B. Barlow; Warden, C. W. Rem- ington ; Sentry, J. Waddell ; Trustees, J. M. Wilcox, G. W. Gay, A. J. Hoit; Rep. Grd. Cl., W. C. Weatherby; Alternate, A. J. Holt.
Dr. J. M. Sligh, District Deputy of the Royal Arcanum, organ- izelail instituted a new lodge of the order in this city, Aug. 10, 1881, when the following officers were elected : Past Regent, Dr. C. II. Dyer ; Regent, Isaac Siegler ; Vice-Regent, W. H. Sheller ; Orator, B. F. Sliter ; Recording Secretary, F. J. Wurzburg ; Col- lector. John H. Noreus ; Treasurer, Louis Zunder ; Chaplain, Edward H. Horton ; Guide, Charles Yales ; Warden, Ernest.
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906
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Siegler ; Sentinel, E. Sundberg ; Trustees, Jacob Jacobson, Albert Rosenthal and Charles Wright ; Medical Examiners, Doctors Sligh and Church.
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
was organized here under Department Commander Col. A. T. Mc- Reynolds. Perhaps in no other quarter of the Union is the associa- tion so influential as here in this old military center. The posts represented here are the "Custer " and "New Champlin," the latter of which was organized Sept. 10, 1881, with the following officers :- Post Commander, E. O. Stevens ; Senior Vice P. C., A. A. Milmine ; Junior Vice P. C., John Lindsey ; Quartermaster, A. S. Richards ; Surgeon, Henry Cadwell ; Chaplain, Wm. Nesbitt; Officer of the Day, H. A. Hydorn ; Officer of the Guard, James Simonds ; Adjutant, C. L. Shattuck.
THE HOLLAND MUTUAL AID SOCIETY
is an organization, whose main object is to assist sick members by paying to them a sum of money every week during their sickness and to furnish them with watchmen if necessary, and in the second place to educate their members in literature. It was started March 4, 1874, by J. Hensen, T. Jansen, J. C. Dortmond, W. Benkers, B. J. Van Onsenoord, J. D. Stockers, J. Nisters, M. Heisma and H. Lindhout, and it was organized according to the laws of the State of Michigan, by the then officers of July 29, 1876. The first election of officers took place May 27, 1874, resulting as follows : President, J. Hensen ; Vice-President, J. C. Dortmond ; Corresponding Secretary, J. Van Osenbruggen ; Treasurer, H. Lindhout ; Trustees, M. Heisma, W. Borrendamme, C. Sonke, J. Nisters, H. Gaalken, T. Jansen, B. Sonke and J. Eike.
The following shows the election of officers of said society from that time up to 1881 : 1875. 1877. Pres., J. D. Stockers. Pres., P. H. Eleveld. V. Pres., M. B. Kimm. Cor. Sec., H.M.Buhrmann. Fin. Sec., J. C. Dortmond. Pres., S. Jansen. Treas., J. Hensen.
V. Pres.,J. C. Dortmond. Cor. Sec., J. Van Osen- bruggen. Fin.Sec., W. Vander Maas. Treas., J. Hensen.
Trustees, B. Sonke, M. Eyke, W. Heisma, C. Sonke, P. Jansen, A. Qierleyn, P.H. Eleveld, P. J. Heystek. 1876.
Pres., P. H. Eleveld.
V. Pres., T. Jansen.
Cor. Sec., J. Van Osen- bruggen. Fin. Sec., J. Quiderhock. Treas., J. Hensen.
Trustees, H.M.Buhrmann, J. M. Metz, H. Van Aal- deren.
Treas., J. M. Metz. Trustees, W. Brummeler. P. Jansen, J. Hensen. 1880.
Vice Pres., R. Vander Werp. Cor. Sec., J. C. Heyboer. Fin. Sec .. S. D. Zylstra. Treas., J. M. Metz.
Trustees, P. Van Dyk, J. Hensen, H. Van Aal- deren. 1881. Pres., P. H. Eleveld.
Trustees, S. D. Zylstra, J. M. Metz, R. Kimm. 1878. Pres. P. H. Eleveld. V. Pres., J. C. Dortmond. Cor. Sec., H. Van Aal- deren. Fin. Sec., H. Vincent. Treas., J. M. Metz. Trustees, S. D. Zylstra, J. Vice Pres., H. M. Buhr- Grieber, M. B. Kimm. 1879. mann. Pres., P. H. Eleveld. Cor. Sec., H. Van Aal- deren . Fin. Sec., W. Brummeler. V. Pres., R. Kimm. Cor. Sec., H. Van Aal- Treas., J. M. Metz. deren. Fin. Sec., H. Vincent. Trustees, J. Luback, P. Van Dyk, J. Hensen.
907
GRAND RAPIDS CITY.
During the time of its existence the society lost only two mem- bers by death. It has now a membership of 144.
ORGANIZATIONS OF RECENT DATE.
Covenant Mutual Benefit Association .- The first meeting of this society, since its reorganization and consolidation with the Covenant Mutual Benefit Association of Illinois, was held July 28, 1881, in the hall of the Grand Rapids Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F. There were present 125 members in person and by proxy. The re- port of the trustees showed that 1,890 applications for membership had been received during the preceding six months; that the present. membership was 6,812, being a net gain in six months of 1,306; that there had been 23 deaths and 23 claims paid. The total amount paid beneficiaries was $65,887.73, being an average of $2,- 429.90. The death rate per 1,000 had been 3.73, or one death in every 267 members. The receipts during the six months were $81,592.72, and the total expenses had been $71,586.32. The net balance in the hands of the treasurer was $19,725.91, of which $15,- 000 was in U. S. Bonds and $4,725.91 in cash. After reading the reports of the trustees, secretary, treasurer and finance committee, the following Trustees were elected for the ensuing year: Rev. Chas. Fluhrer, Dr. C. W. Prindle, P. O. Voorheis, Charles N. Armstrong, Jay L. Deming, Dr. H. S. Holden and Frederick Loettgert. The Trustees elected as officers for the year, 1881-'2, are the fol- lowing persons: President, Rev. Charles Fluhrer; Vice-Presi- dent, Dr. C. W. Prindle; Secretary, P. O. Voorheis; Treasurer, Frederick Loettgert.
The Lowell Club .- The organization of Lowell citizens, living at Grand Rapids, into a body known as the " Grand Rapids Lowell Club," selected the following board of officers for the initiatory term, beginning July 11, 1881: President, F. H. Hosford; Vice- President, Frank W. Hine; Secretary, George L. Stone; Treasurer, Albert W. Hine; Executive Committee, Willard Keeney, Louis E. Hunt and Fred C. Devendorf. A number of social and literary entertainments, to be held here and at Lowell, are contemplated by the society.
MISCELLANEOUS SOCIETIES.
A new boat club was organized in the upper part of the city, called the "Neversink," Aug. 2, 1881. The club built a boat-house on the river just below Leonard street bridge, 16x24 feet in size, and is building a barge 60 feet long, to be used for pleasure excur- sions.
St. George's Society .- The following officers have been elected for the six months ending Dec. 12, 1881: President, Wm. Jackson ; Vice-President, George Smalley; Treasurer, Harry Cooper; Finan- cial Secretary, Thomas Brinton; Recording Secretary, John Wood;
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Physician, Dr. Hazlewood; Trustees, Alfred Cooper, S. Curtis, E. Jones; Visiting Committee, Messrs. Weeks, Lawrence, Formby, Curtis and Newman.
Sunitary Association .- The officers elected for the year 1881-'2, are: President, Right Rev. G. D. Gillespie; Vice-President, Prof. E. A. Strong; Secretary, Dr. C. H. Maxim; Treasurer, A. T. Page; Executive Committee, Rev. J. Morgan Smith, Robert Sproul, Dr. Stevens and E. B. Fisher.
Mutual Benefit Association .- The employes of C. C. Comstock organized a mutual benefit association, the object of which is speci- fied in the name, and elected the following officers, Aug. 24, 1881: President, Fred Taylor; Vice-President, Albert Babcock; Secretary, Wm. H. Vanderheyden; Treasurer, Chauncey H. Fisher.
St. Mark's Guild, which was formed in June, 1881, by the Rev. S. Burford, for the benefit of the young people of St. Mark's Church, has done and is doing a noble work in different parts of the city through the various committees. Early in August the reverend gentleman formed another guild at the chapel of the Good Shep- herd, for the purpose of doing a good work in connection with the Church in that part of the city. The grounds and buildings are to be beautified by this guild. The Sunday-school at this place is large, and the services are held every Sunday afternoon by the Rev. S. Burford, and are well attended.
We-que-ton sing .- At the recent meeting of the Wequetonsing Resort Association (Presbyterian Resort) at Harbor Springs, the following Directors were chosen for the ensuing year: L. H. Trask, W. O. Hughart, I. Montgomery, H. H. Northrop, H. M. Morey and H H. Pope. The officers were re-elected as follows: President, I. H. Trask; Vice-President, W. O. Hughart; Secretary and Treas- urer, H. H. Pope.
The Wood-Carvers .-- At the semi-annual meeting of the Wood Carvers' Association the following officers were elected: President, S. Lopez; Vice-President, M. Condon; Receiving Secretary, O. Fuller; Financial Secretary, M. Heintz; Corresponding Secretary. M. Manning; Treasurer. T. Gleason; Trustees, R. Spencer, R. Fite and W. Vogelsang; Librarian, M. Condon; Sergeant-at- Arms, H. Hehno. The association is prosperous. It has about 50 members, has permanent rooms, and meets regularly once in two weeks. It has the nucleus of a fine art library already. The association is also arranging for a benefit of about $5 per week for members who may suffer from illness.
The organization of the Grand Rapids Furniture Manufactur- ers' Association was completed at the meeting held June 27, 1881, by the election of the following Directors: Julius Berkey, of Berkey & Gay, three years; E. H. Foote, of Chair Company, and O. L. Howard, of the Phoenix, two years; J. E. McBride, of Nelson, Matter & Co., and J. C. Moore, of the Grand Rapids Furniture Company, one year. These directors, together with the following officers chosen at a previous meeting, constitute the Executive
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Board of the association: Elias Matter, President; T. F. Richards, Vice-President; J. C. Darrah, Secretary.
Land League .- At the last regular meeting of the local Land League, held June 29, 1881, the following officers were elected: President, Thos. Nestor; Vice President, P. McMahon; Secre- tary, E. J. Reynolds; Treasurer, Thos. Doran; Executive - Com- mittee, Thos. Welch, M. Caulfield, A. A. Brown.
The Valley City Choral Society is the name of a new musical organization with 40 members, established here in September, 1881, for the purpose of elevating and advancing the cause of music in this city. It had its origin in the desire of many good musicians to place the cause of music on a more solid footing than it has previously occupied here. It bids fair to be the most suc- cessful enterprise of such a character ever originated in Grand Rapids. There will be two classes of members, active and associ- ate. The following officers have been chosen to serve till Jan. 1, 1882: President, Hon. T. D. Gilbert; Vice President, C. H. Gleason; Secretary, W. H. Loomis; Treasurer, J. H. P. Hug- hart; Board of Directors, L. P. Eddy, H. W. Nash, L. D. Follett. The President, Secretary and Treasurer are ex officio members of the above Board of Directors. At the first meeting of the Board of Directors, Prof. A. R. Wellenstein was selected to fill the posi- tion of Musical Director.
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