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 93

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 93

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Ebenezer Anderson, Superintendent of the Grand Rapids & Reed's Lake Street railway, was born in Scotland, in 1813. When 29 years of age he came to America, and a year later to Grand Rapids. He was a mason by trade, and followed that business for a quarter of a century, building some of the best brick blocks in the city. In 1868 he became connected with the Grand Rapids Street Railway Company, and after superintending the laying of the track from East Bridge to Leonard streets, on Canal, was made Superintendent, which position he still fills, with credit to himself and the company. The company owns nearly seven miles of railway, and employs 21 men in the business, using also about 44 horses. In the summer of 1881, a dummy engine and a tasty passenger coach were purchased, and put on Reed's Lake railway, where $20,000 had been expended during the year. Mr. Anderson

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

was a member of the School Board from 1856 to 1880. He was Marshal of the city one year, and has been County Superintendent of the Poor, City Superintendent of Poor, and officiated as City Treasurer for two years. He is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church (W. S.), and resides in a neat and comfortable residence on North Front street. He has been Treasurer of Grand River Lodge, No. 34, Masonic, ever since organization.

Crawford Angell was born in Massachusetts, April 2, 1827; is son of Daniel and Sarah (Kilton) Angell. His father was engaged in general business and went to Rhode Island about 1830, where Mr. Angell remained until the age of 18 years. In October, 1845, he came to Grand Rapids and attended school at the academy, located on what is now the city park; he was in school two years, doing chorcs to pay his board. He then entered the National Hotel as clerk, and remained until 1853. He then entered the office of the American Express Company as porter. He became familiar with the details of the business, and in 1855 was appointed agent for Grand Rapids, a position which included the duties of Stage Agent of the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo line. Since May, 1880, he has been Assistant Superintendent of the American Express Company, Mich. Division, comprising Michigan and a portion of Indiana and Ohio; is one of the oldest employes in the division. In '78 and '79 Mr. Angell was Treasurer of the City of Grand Rapids, elected on the National ticket. He is a prominent Mason and has been three years Deputy Grand Master of the 9th Mich. District, including 58 lodges; was Master of Grand River Lodge three years; is a Trustee and has been Vice-President of the Masonic Mutual Benefit Association of West Michigan ever since its organization. He was married in December, 1849, to Almyra E. Bliss; they have three children-Walter C., engaged as sexton of Oak Hill Cemetery; Harry C., Cashier of the American Ex- press Company at Grand Rapids; Laura A., wife of Robert P. Cutler. Mr. Angell was one of the organizers of the National party, and under his leadership achieved a great success.

Arthur R. Antisdel, proprietor Rathbun House, Grand Rapids, was born in Jackson Co., Mich .; in 1841. His parents, John F. and Freelove (Spink) Antisdel, resided on a farm, where the subject of this sketch was reared. When 18 years of age (in 1859) he went to Detroit, and engaged as clerk of the old " Railroad Hotel," which occupied the present site of the Detroit Opera House, and was kept by his brother, J. F. Antisdel. Two years later, Mr. An- tisdel entered into partnership with his brother, since which time he has been continuously identified with the hotel business. In 1862 he took charge of the Antisdel House, at Detroit; and in July, 1863, came to Grand Rapids. Being well pleased with its business activity and beautiful location, he decided to remove his business to the "Rochester of Michigan." He leased the Eagle Hotel, where he remained eight years. In 1871, in company with his brother, John F., he leased the Biddle House, Detroit, but the

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following spring sold his interest to his brother, and returned to Grand Rapids, purchasing the Rathbun House, which hotel he has since operated. This building is located on the corner of Monroe and Waterloo streets, and is one of the best conducted hotels in the State. Mr. Antisdel, assisted by his genial clerks, Don J. Rogers and Michael Powers, succeed in making this house comfortable and " home-like " for all who may seek rest and shelter within its walls. Mr. Antisdel was married, in 1862, to Sarah Belman, of Detroit. They have a family of four children. The three brothers, Antisdel, are all identified with the hotel business. John F. is proprietor of the Newhall and Axtell Houses, Milwaukee, and the Merimon House, Oconomowoc, Wis .; William W., of the Antisdel House, Detroit; and our subject, of the Rathbun House, Grand Rapids.

Noyes L. Avery came to Grand Rapids in the fall of 1850, from Aurora, Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he was born Dec. 11, 1815. His father, Elias Avery, and his mother, Sally (Barber) Avery, were born in the town of Groton, New London Co., Conn. Soon after their marriage they emigrated from their native town to Aurora, N. Y. The intervening country was a wilderness, which they traversed on horseback; they were among the earliest pi- oneers to Aurora, and here they resided until their death. Mr. Avery, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of seven chil- dren; he attended the common school and then the academy of his native town until he was 15 years of age. He then engaged as a clerk in the general store of A. & E. Avery, at Genoa, Cayuga Co., and served in that capacity until he attained the age of 21 years. He next went to Farmer village, Seneca Co., and pursued the same vocation for five years in the store of J. B. Avery & Co., his brother being the senior member of the firm. Mr. Avery now bought out his employers and carried on the mercantile business a few years. He accepted an advantageous offer and disposed of his stock in trade, and then purchased a farm near the village, on which he resided until 1849. Coming to Grand Rapids in 1850, Mr. Avery engaged in mining and manufacturing land-plaster for about 10 years, when he sold his plaster-beds upon favorable terms, then operated to some extent in real estate and became identified with various manufacturing enterprises in Grand Rapids. At the organization of the City National Bank he became a stockholder and soon a director, relations that continue with that institution. He has been a stockholder and director in the Grand Rapids Gas Light Company for about 21 years. From the days of Henry Clay, Mr. Avery was a Whig in politics, until the organization of the Republican party, when he identified himself with that party and has since been a radical Republican and a staunch, steadfast and liberal supporter of the Republican cause. Mr. Avery has borne his share of those public duties which devolve upon the American citizen, serving as Supervisor and Alderman of Grand Rapids, and as Postmaster for four years under the administration of President Lincoln. During the war of the Rebellion he was

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one of the draft commissioners or board of enrollment for his mil- itary district, under the act of Congress for enrolling and calling out the National forces, and served during the war. Mr. Avery took an active part in sanitary work during that period, and ac- companied large contributions of supplies and money to the hos - pitals at Washington and other points south. Always taking a zealons and active interest in the improvements, progress and wel- fare of his adopted city, he has aided by his sound judgment to promote her development and prosperity; he has been diligent in affairs and gathered his ear of corn at every harvest,-a man whose every-day life is radiant with kindness and generous im- pulses, a good citizen, a genial neighbor, a constant friend, full of quick and tender sympathies and abounding in generous and kindly deeds for the needy and afflicted. He has been connected with the Masonic fraternity for a quarter of a century and is now a Knight Templar Mason. For many years Mr. Avery has been a member and officer of the Congregational Church, and by his life exemplifies that which he professes to believe. He has one child living-Noyes F. Avery, a resident and business man of Grand Rapids. Mr. Avery's portrait appears on another page of this volume.

J. Frederic Baars, Cashier of the City National Bank, was born in Hamburg, Germany, July 8, 1820. He is son of Frederic and Margaretha (Doffertien) Baars. His father died when he was eight years old and his mother a year later, when he was placed in the care of his uncle, who attended to his education, and he graduated from a private school in Hamburg, in April, 1835. A monthi later he shipped as a cabin boy on an American vessel with the intention of entering upon a seafaring life. He went to Havana, and afterward to Boston, where he left the ship, and Sept. 1, went to Bristol, R. I., with the captain. One of the owners of the vessel, Captain John Norris, took him into his family, where he remained seven years and was sent to school for some time. At 19 he became secretary for Capt. Norris. At the age of 26 he was made Cashier of a bank in Bristol, at the same time acting as secretary and ac- countant for Capt. Norris, who owned a large cotton-mill; he also acted as agent and part owner of several vessels, engaged in the West India trade. He was married in 1842 to Lucretia Norton, daughter of Capt. Abijah Luce Norton, and niece of Miss Norris, born at Martha's Vineyard. He came to Grand Rapids in the fall of'58, and engaged as book-keeper with the Eagle Plaster Com- pany, and after two years in their employ, in 1861, he entered that of Ledyard & Aldrich, private bankers (succeeded by Ledyard & Fralick). The City National Bank was organized by the latter firm in conjunction with other capitalists in 1865. Mr. Baars was chosen its first Cashier, and now holds the position. In May, 1864, he was elected City Treasurer, and held the position 11 years, act- ing one year also as Deputy Treasurer, and at the same time offi- ciating as Treasurer of the public schools. Mr. Baars has a fine

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residence at the corner of Fountain and Prospect streets. Mr. and Mrs. Baars have had eight children, as follows: Annie F., Wilhelmina D. (Mrs. P. N. Fox, of Louisville, Ky.), J. Frederic, jr., Wm. H. (died in 1880), George S. (married Marion Howard, of Holland, Mich.), Carrie S., Mary L. and Gertrude N. George S. is corresponding clerk of the bank.

Sluman S. Bailey, Collector of Internal Revenue of the 4th District of Michigan, residence Grand Rapids, was born at Somer- set, Niagara Co., N. Y., Dec. 14, 1821. He is a son of Joseph S. and Sophia (Dennison) Bailey, natives of Vermont, who were among the pioneer settlers of Western New York. Sluman S. was the eldest of nine children-three daughters and six sons -- and attended the district school until 19 years of age. He subsequently attended Gaines, Royalton and Yates academies, where he completed his early literary education. He then engaged in farming, and remained at that business until October, 1846, when, with wife and children, he bid adieu to old-time friends, and started with a team and covered wagon for the wilds of Michigan. They traveled from Buffalo to Detroit by water, and the remainder of the journey (to Kent county) through the heavy timber. Mr. Bailey located 120 acres of " wild" Jand, on sec. 13, Paris tp., and remained there 14 years, making various and substantial improvements on the farm. In the fall of 1860, he was elected Sheriff of Kent county, and removed to Grand Rapids. He served in official position a term of two years, and was then re-elected. The law provides that no man shall hold the office of Sheriff for more than four years consecutively, and Mr. Bailey acted as Revenue Inspector for two years, at the end of which time he was again elected Sheriff. During this term he was, without his knowledge, appointed by President Johnson to his pres- ent position. When Gen. Grant was elected President he resigned his commission, but was immediately re-appointed, and has since performed the duties of the office with entire satisfaction to the public. Before his removal to Grand Rapids he acted as School Inspector for several years; Justice of the Peace, for four years;

and Supervisor, for seven years. He was one of the founders of the Kent County Agricultural Society, of which he was President one year, and Secretary several years. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society for six years. Mr. Bailey was married in New York, Oct. 30, 1844, to Delia G., daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Starbuck, prominent mem- bers of the Society of Friends, of Western New York. Of the four children born to them, three are living-Herman S., Alice S. and Clarabel, wife of Milo B. Stewart, Secretary of the Grand Rapids Manufacturing Co. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were mainly instrumental in organizing and sustaining a Congregational Church in Paris tp., and with their two daughters are active workers in the same denomination at Grand Rapids. Mr. Bailey has always taken a great interest in temperance, religion and politics, and as a Christian gentleman, has gained the esteem of all who know him. He is still

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largely interested in agriculture on his farm near the city, a busi- ness to which he has always been greatly devoted, the attention given to it serving as recreation and relaxation from the duties of his Government office.

John Ball, a pioneer of Kent county, was born at Hebron, N. H., Nov. 12, 1794, and on a hill so high that lakes and mountains 30 miles away are in full view. His parents were natives of Hollis, in the same State, and emigrated to Hebron before the Revolution- ary war, going 25 miles beyond the last settler, and then about 100 miles from Boston. He was born in a log cabin, and his earliest recollections are of the building of a frame house for the family, which is still standing, but unoccupied, as are so many of the hill houses of New England. His childhood and his early youth were passed on his father's farm, caring for the stock, chopping, hewing, mowing, etc.

Becoming dissatisfied with limited means for an education, his father reluctantly yielded to his importunities to leave home for that purpose. He went first to school to a clergyman in the next town, then to the Salisbury Academy, and fitted himself to enter Dartmouth College, in 1816, without means or definite idea from whence they were to come for his support there. But he helped on the farm in the summer vacations, and taught school in the winter; so by close economy he managed to continue his course and graduate in 1820. George P. Marsh, United States Minister to Italy, was of his class, and Rufus Choate was of the previous class.

Mr. Ball at once went to Lansingburg, N. Y., where a brother- in-law, Wm. Powers, resided (an uncle of Wm. T. Powers, of Grand Rapids), and where he commenced the study of law and taught school for his support. In the fall of 1822 he went to Darien, Georgia. The weather was stormy and their vessel was wrecked on a sand-bar five miles from the Georgia coast. For 18 hours escape seemed improbable, but they were finally discovered by a ship going down the inland passage, were rescued and taken to Darien. There he taught school and read their law, much of which related to slavery. Thus passing a winter, and observing the effects of slavery on society, he made up his mind not to make his home where it existed. He therefore returned to Lansingburg and resumed his studies.

In 1824 he was admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court of the State, at Utica, and afterward as counsellor and solicitor in chancery, and went into partnership with Jacob C. Lansing, Esq., with whom he had read. In 1827 he was elected a Justice of Peace in that village, and he might probably have resided in Lan- singburg to this day had it not been for the death of his brother- in-law, Wm. Powers, who was engaged in the manufacture of floor oil-cloth. While largely in debt he died, and, at his request, Mr. Ball assisted his wife in carrying on the business until all indebted- ness had been paid, and the factory largely extended. Finding that

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she could carry on the business without his aid, Mrs. Powers con- sented to relieve him of its future care.

In the spring of 1832 he joined a Mr. Wyeth, of Boston, on a trip to Oregon. He had some 20 men in his employ, with a view for business in the fur trade and salmon fishing. Mr. Ball's idea was to see the country, to note the climate, geology, etc.

In Western Missouri they met with Win. Sublette, the successor of Gen. Ashley in the mountain fur trade, who was fitting out for his annual journey. It was arranged that the Wyeth party should join his, he to command while together; so they purchased horses for riding and packing. When all was arranged, it was found that the company consisted of 80 men, with 200 to 300 horses. On May 12, 1832, they left the last settlers, the Mormons, and crossed the west line of the State of Missouri in military order, all well armed. They journeyed up the Kansas, some two days, and struck for the Platte; passed Maj. Bonaville; reached the Platte Forks June 1; had to subsist mostly on buffalo meat; went through the South Pass; arrived at Green river.

Thus far they had seen no Indians; but one night, while in camp on Green river, they were surprised by a sudden shower of Indian bullets, which frightened their horses, picketed inside a hollow square, and they broke loose and escaped; some were run off by the Indians. They reached the Columbia river, where they met bands of Nez Perces and Flathead Indians, with furs and a great number of horses. Here they found also an encampment of trappers, and spent two weeks trading with the Indians, buying their furs and horses, and finding them orderly and honest. Wm. Sublette fitted out a party of trappers, under his brother Milton, to go farther West, while he returned with thousands of dollars' worth of beaver furs. Mr. Wyeth, Mr. Ball and 10 of their party joined the trap- pers. The second day out they encountered a band of Blackfeet Indians, and foolishly, if not wickedly, brought on an encounter which resulted in the loss of several men and wounding of others. Mr. Ball's comrades took no part in it only to care for the wounded.

Eighty miles up the Columbia the party called at Ft. Vancouver and received the hospitality of Dr. Mclaughlin, the "governor," who invited them to pass the close ensuing winter at the fort, and they returned to accept the invitation. Mr. Ball's connection with the Wyeth party ended here, and its members scattered in various directions. Mr. Ball was assigned quarters in the fort and a guest's privileges at Dr. McLaughlin's table. Time was heavy on his hands . and he asked for employment, but was reminded that he was a vis- itor. Finally the " governor " consented that he should teach his son and the other boys at the fort how to read. His host frequently visited the school-room, remarking: "Mr. Ball, you will earn the reputation of teaching the first academy in Oregon." The territory was then claimed by the British, and controlled by the fur traders, who managed the Indians with skill and tact. One purpose of Mr. Ball's trip was scientific observation, which added greatly to his en-

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joyment, and alleviated the hardships and privations of the journey. He wrote an account of his observations, the natural history and features of the country he had traversed, the volcanic mountains and other geological features of Oregon, and sent it to Prof. Amos Eaton, of Troy. His letters, dispatched by the Hudson Bay Ex- press, crossed the mountains at latitude 52°, then via lakes Winni- peg and Superior to Montreal and the States. This was the first account of the geology, etc., of Oregon.

In the spring, in anticipation of American emigration, he bor- rowed farming tools and seeds, and went up the Willamette river, where some of the trappers had gone to farming, broke horses, built a cabin, and, with the help of a neighbor to drive, broke up some prairie land, which he sowed and planted. He was the first American who held a plow in Oregon. But he waited vainly for immigrants, and by fall he was wearied of his hermit life; he made over his crop to the Hudson's Bay Company for a ship passage to California and the Sandwich Islands. In November, 1833, he reached San Francisco Bay; the site of the present city was all. forest and shallow water. The Territory was then under Mexican control, and one day the Governor came aboard and dined. The vessel in two or three weeks sailed for Honolulu. Mr. Ball met there an old acquaintance, Mr. Brinsmad, who introduced him to the resident merchants and missionaries. A Mr. Hinkley invited him to a Christmas dinner, where he mnet, among the guests, the native king, Tamehameha II., and his staff officers, but none of the free-mannered island ladies.

After New Year's he embarked in an American whaler, home- ward bound; witnessed the capture of eight or ten whales, crossed the equator and made port at Tahiti, one of the Society islands, where they refitted for "doubling " Cape Horn. They spent two weeks on the beautiful island, and set out on the long voyage, and had the usual rough weather off the Cape. They were in nearly the latitude of 60° south, and, being the month of May, the days were but four hours long. After passing the Cape a squall struck them and dismasted their ship, and they had to put into Rio Janeiro, Brazil, for repairs.

Five months on the sea made the solid land very welcome; but Mr. Ball had but two days to look about the interesting city and its surroundings, for an opportunity offered to engage as captain's clerk on board the armed schooner "Boxer," bound for Norfolk, under the command of Lient. Farragut, afterward Admiral. The voyage, in close intimacy with a man who made one of the most splendid records in the history of our country, was most memorable and happy. He pushed on to Lansingburg and took his friends by surprise, as they did not know that he had left Oregon.

He practiced law in Troy two years, and in 1836, the great year of speculation, entered into an arrangement with Messrs. Brinsmad, Leonard & Whipple to take a sum of money and operate in any land, north of the Ohio river, for their mutual benefit. They placed

John Gall

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$10,000 in his hands and he set out. He went to Detroit. Inquiry and investigation convinced him that Government land was the only safe investment, and that the Grand river country was the best field of operation. He visited the land office at Ionia. The only lands in the market were south of the river, and taking " plats " he spent the fall and winter of 1836 in selecting such lands as seemed desirable, bought and recorded in his own name, and reported to his principals. His largest purchase was a pine tract in Ottawa county, afterward the field of lumbering operations of Messrs. Brinsmad, Leonard & Whipple.

In the spring of 1837 Mr. Ball fixed his permanent home at Grand Rapids; the same fall he was elected to represent the Grand River District in the State Legislature. His constituency included Ottawa, Kent, Ionia and Clinton counties, and he spent the winter at De- troit. The next summer he was made assignee of the People's Bank-one of the " wild cats." In the fall he went East, and re- turned to be met with regrets that his coming back was not expected as he would otherwise have been sent to the Legislature a second time. During the following two or three years he busied himself with a small law practice, the care of the lands whose ownership he represented, and as agent for other Eastern property-holders. In 1841 Congress granted 500,000 acres to the new States for internal im- provements; Michigan accepted her share of the grant, and Gov. Barry, having made Mr. Ball's acquaintance at Detroit, in 1838, requested him to make the selection for the State. He consented, purchased a full outfit for the woods and took James D. Lyon, then a boy, as camp-keeper, with Frederick Hall, for a time, as assistant, the latter being anxious to learn more of the country. He passed the spring and fall in the discharge of the duties of his appoint- ment, and in 1843 the Legislature put these lands into market at Government price, $1.25 per acre, payable in State dues called war- rants, issued to contractors who had been building railroads for the State. They could be purchased for 40 cents on the dollar, and land therefore was worth 50 cents per acre. This condition of things attracted the tide of immigration which had mostly hitherto passed on to Illinois and Wisconsin, and multitudes called on Mr. Ball for aid and advice, and all purchased and advertised the unequaled chances to obtain fine farms with small expenditure. He aided them in finding the lands, purchased warrants for them, supplied lacking funds, etc., and kept every applicant by some means, and as the lands were taken for immediate settlement the peopling of Kent and adjoining counties was a work of marvelous rapidity. Everybody was poor, so far as available means was concerned, but what is the exhibit of Kent county to-day ?

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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 93

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