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 97

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 97

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).

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

public spirit for which he has been noted during his entire resi- dence in the city, and by which he has won for himself a place in the esteem and affections of his fellow citizens.

James W. Converse, of Boston, and President of the Phoenix Furniture Company, and also of the Grand Rapids Plaster Com- pany, is a native of New England. He came to Grand Rapids in 1854, and purchased the land known as the Mission Reserve, which was then almost a wilderness, but now constituting a large portion of that part of Grand Rapids on the west side of the river. This

land was platted into town lots in 1856. Mr. Converse built the Pearl street bridge in 1858 with his own funds, and also furnished the means for the construction of the Kalamazoo, Allegan & Grand Rapids R. R., now a division of the L. S. & M. S. Mr. Converse is interested in many of the industries of Grand Rapids, and has done much to promote her growth and future prosperity.

George Cook was born in Sutton, Missisquoi Co., Lower Canada, April 11, 1838. He is son of Francis H. and Lydia S. (James) Cook, natives of Vermont, where they died, aged respectively 86 and 80 years. He grew to the age of 14 in Canada, when he went to Vermont and remained three years, coming to Kent county in October, 1855. In May, 1859, he went to Kansas and was engaged in farming until the breaking out of the civil war. He went to Illinois in September, 1861, and enlisted in Co. I, 8th Ill. Cav., and served during the war. He was mustered out Dec. 30, 1865. In '64 and '65 he was Lieut. of a company in a colored regiment and was in command the greater part of the time. He was in the fights of '62 at Williamsburg, Seven Days' Battle before Richmond, and Fredericksburg; in '63 at Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Bever- ly's Ford, Upperville, Gettysburg, Bristow Station, Mine Run, Madison Court-House and in many small cavalry skirmishes; in '64 at Frederick City, Monocracy Junction and Washington. Dec. 15 and 16, he commanded his company of colored troops at Nash- ville. In January, 1866, he bought 40 acres of land in Gaines, and four and a half years after, in September, 1870, he came to this city. In 1877 he opened a grocery, which he managed 18 months and since he has been occupied in the Register's and insurance offices. Mr. Cook voted the Republican ticket 19 years, and for several years has belonged to the National party. He was Town Clerk in Gaines four years, served a year and a half as hall-keeper in the Michigan State prison, was Supervisor of the Third ward in Grand Rapids four years, and Chairman of the National Green- back Executive Committee two years. He was married in Febru- ary, 1864, to Laura N. Jones, who died May 24, 1880, leaving no children.

William Newton Cook was born at Willow Vale, tp. of New Hartford, Oneida Co., N. Y., May 13, 1821. His father, Archi- bald Cook, was a pattern-maker and iron-worker by trade, and was for 15 years superintendent of a locomotive manufacturing concern

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Cook began to work at blacksmithing and continued two years. May 13, 1840, he came to Detroit and formed a partnership with his brother, Edward S. Cook, in a car- riage manufacturing business, where he was engaged three years. He.spent some time prospecting in Michigan and Illinois. He was employed as a journeyman seven months at Galena, Ill., where he ironed the first buggy built in that city. £ In the fall of '42 he re- turned to Detroit, and the next September came to this city and entered the employ of Edward B. Bostwick, doing the iron work in two flouring mills. Mr. Cook brought with him the woodwork for two buggies and a double wagon, which he ironed and sold, being the best buggies built in Grand Rapids, the initial work of a busi- ness which he pursued for 20 years. He went into partnership with John Blain in the manufacture of edge tools. They lost heavily . by fire a year later, rebuilt, and in 1852 sold out. Mr. Cook re- sumned his former business and retired in 1864. In 1855 he was elected Alderman of the Third ward; in 1862 served as Collector of Texas, and in 1863-'4 was Supervisor of the same ward; was again elected in '72, '73 and '74; in the spring of '81 was elected a member of the Board of Review and Equalization for three years. He has been for some years Secretary of the Grand River Valley Horticultural Society. He was married in Oswego Co., N. Y., Nov. 5, 1848, to Phebe Candee, of Fulton; they have four children -Henrietta Evelyn (Mrs. E. H. Hughes, of Chicago), Ada B. (Mrs. Dennis L. Rogers, of Grand Rapids), Chas. N. and Lillie M. Mr. Cook was one of the committee appointed to revise and correct the manuscript for this volume, and the publishers hereby wish to thank him for the kind interest taken in behalf of them and the people of Kent county.

Rev. Frank C. Coolbaugh, Pastor of Grace Church (Episcopal), Grand Rapids, was born in Bradford Co., Pa., in 1842. When two years of age he removed with his parents, D. M. and Elien (Whit- ney) Coolbaugh, to Winnebago Co., Pa., where they remained six years. His father then removed to St. Anthony's Falls, Minn., and was one of the founders of Minneapolis, building the sixth house erected in that city. He died there in 1866. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Minneapolis, and subsequently attended Hobart College, at Geneva, N. Y., where he took a full literary course. He then went to Seaburn Mission, · Fairview, Minn., and was a teacher in the grammar schools for three years. In 1870 he finished his studies, and was ordained to the ministry in July of the same year. He first entered the mis- sionary work, and was soon afterward located at Mankato, Minn., where he remained three years. He then took charge of Trinity Church, Minneapolis, afterward of Christ Church, Waukegan, Ill., where he remained five years. In the fall of 1880, he accepted the rectorship of Grace Church, Grand Rapids. Mr. Coolbaugh was married, in 1875, to Ella S. Lang, a native of Concord, N. H.

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

They have one child-Frank E. Mr. C. is a member of the Alpha Delta Phi, and is also a Royal Arch Mason.

Harry E. Cooper, of Cooper Bros., confectioners, 52 Canal and 103 Monroe streets, was born in Suffolk, Eng., in April, 1845. His father, Edward Cooper, was a merchant of that country. The sub- ject of this sketch attended school in England, and when 22 years of age came to America, first locating at Detroit, Mich., where he joined his brother in the confectionery trade. They remained there one year, and then came to Grand Rapids, locating at 79 Canal st., subsequently at 52, where they have since carried on the manu- facture of fine candies and all kinds of confectionery. This branch of business is under the supervision of Alfred Cooper. In April, 1881, the firm established a branch house at 103 Monroe street, where they have also ice-cream parlors in connection, for the summer season. Mr. Cooper is a member of the A. O. U. W., St. George's Benevolent Society, in the latter of which he holds the position of Treasurer. Mr. Cooper was married, in 1871, to Catherine Gower, a native of Norfolk, Eng. They have five children living-Alfred, Harry, Fanny, Johnny and Edward. Millie is deceased. Alfred Cooper, the other member of the firm, was born at Bawdsey, Eng., in Sep- tember, 1831. He was reared and educated in that place, and when young entered a grocery store as clerk, where he remained six years. He was then appointed to a position on the London police force, resigning three and a half years later. He then established himself in the grocery and provision trade in London, and remained in that business two years. He then accepted the position of ticket agent and examiner at (London bridge, on the Southeastern railway, but resigned it two years later to come to America. He

first located at Detroit, Mich., where he clerked in a grocery and confectionery. Desirous of learning the latter trade, he worked in a grocery in day time, and at night in learning his present trade. The Cooper Bros. have a fine trade, and enjoy the confidence and esteem of all.

John Cordes, retail grocer, No. 129 Canal street, was born in 1822 in Westphalia, Prussia; is son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Platte) Cordes. In 1836 they emigrated to this country and set- tled in Clinton Co., Mich., where his father bought 640 acres, and cleared 150 acres. Mr. Cordes came to Grand Rapids in 1843, and found employment in the plaster-mills. Two years after he went to California; after an absence of 18 months, returned with $2,000, and opened a grocery on Canal street, near his present location ; he was burned out three times, each disaster causing serious loss. In 1850 he opened his present business, and carries a stock of goods worth about $8,000, comprising full lines of staple and fancy gro- ceries. Annual trade amounts to something like $40,000. He is the oldest grocer in Grand Rapids. . He was married in this city in 1851, to Annie, daughter of Michael Forney, born in Germany in 1823. They have three children-Frank, John and Julius. He

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

owns a residence at No. 160 Kent street, valued at $5,000; is a member of the Old Settlers' Association.

Edward S. Cory, of E. S. Cory & Co., box manufacturers, was born at St. John's, New Brunswick, in April, 1823, and is a son of Edward S. Cory, who was lost at sea when our subject was yet an infant. When one year old he removed with his mother, Amy (Batson) Cory, to Eastport, Me., where he attended the public schools until 16 years of age. He then served as an apprentice at the blacksmith and millwright trade, remaining in that business until 25 years of age. He then worked at the marine and mill machinery work at Boston, Mass., for 13 years. In 1868 he went to Portage, Micli., and was there engaged in the lumber business three years. He then went to Morley, Mecosta Co., Mich., where he was engaged in the same business three and a half years. He next located at Grand Rapids, and soon after formed a co-partner- ship with Frederick Blount, in a box factory. The firm remained as Cory & Blount until June 1, 1881, when it was dissolved, Mr. Cory starting in the same business in the north part of the city. A brief sketch of his business has been previously given. While a resident of Eastport, Me., Mr. Cory was a Selectman, and at Portage was President of the School Board and Tp. Treasurer; was also Trustee of Morley village, and President of the School Board. While a resident of the East, he was a member of the Free- Will Baptist Church, but since coming to Grand Rapids, has united with the First Baptist Church, as also did his wife. Mr. Cory was married in November, 1848, to Lucy A. Carpenter, a na- tive of Eastport, Me. They have three children-George, the junior member of the firm, who married Nellie Evans, of Eastport, Me .; Lucy A. and Lizzie H. Mr. Cory is a Republican, “ dyed in the wool," to use his own expression.

Leonard Covell was born at Cabot, Caledonia Co., Vt., Feb. 17, 1816. His parents, Philip and Louisa (Nye) Covell, were natives of Wethersfield, Conn. When he was six years old his mother died, and he was placed with a farmer, Capt. James Perley, where he remained until 14 years of age, when, his father having remarried, he was taken home. Two and a half years after he went to Hartford, Conn., and worked as a carpenter and joiner un- til 21. May 1, 1837, he turned his face westward and reached Grand Rapids June 6 following, with his earthly possessions in a bundle and 37 cents in money. He worked at his trade seven or eight years with success. Failing health obliged him to seek other business, and he entered a store as a clerk. After one year he went into mercantile business for himself, and two years later took a partner, De Witt C. Lawrence, the firm taking the style of Covell & Co. He purchased his partner's interest, and some time after entered into a second co-partnership-Rose & Covell. This rela- tion was dissolved four or five years later by mutual consent. Mr. Covell then built a store on the corner of Scribner and W. Bridge streets, and put in an entire stock of new goods, and a year after

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

sold out everything to Pliny P. Roberts, the terms of the contract being that the stock and building should be removed from the lot within 24 hours. The agreement was met and a large brick block was erected on its site, of which Mr. Covell has been 34 years the owner. The same day he purchased the Duncan Stocking livery stable, comprising eight horses. He sold out four years after, when the business had increased four-fold. In 1856 he engaged as agent for the G. R. & I. R. R., and six months after became a director. He resigned four years after, and in 1861 was appointed Deputy U. S. Marshal for the Western District of Michigan, which posi- tion he held until 1875. In 1877 he conceived the idea of graveled roads, and under great difficulties built the Grand Rapids and Walker road. In 1879 a new company was organized under the State law of Michigan, and the Alpine road was built. He is President of both these roads; has held the offices of Alderman and Coroner several years respectively; was one of the organizers of the Early Residents' Society, and has held some official position therein since. He was married May 2, 1839, to Permelia, daugh- ter of the late Henry Stone, of Grand Rapids, one of the earliest settlers in the county. His two sons, Elliott F. and Henry L., are married, and reside in the city. Mr. Covell's homestead is sit- uated on the corner of Shawmut avenue and Summer street, where he has a handsome brick residence. He owns other city property.

As an illustration of the "stringency of the money market " at an early day, he says he was obliged to let a letter remain in the postoffice for three or four weeks on account of not having the 25 cents to pay postage.

Alfred Crawford, groceryman, was born in Oakland Co., Mich., Aug. 27, 1847; is son of Jonas and Margaret (Smith) Crawford. In 1853 his parents moved to Plainfield, this county, where his father died in 1857, and his mother in 1858. Two years later he entered the grocery of David Miller, on Canal street, directly op- posite his present place of business. Two years later he engaged with G. W. Waterman, and after two years was employed by Silas Durham and L. H. Randall, where he remained until the fall of 1867, when he went to Denver, Col. In May, 1868, he came back to Grand Rapids, and associated with his brother Frank in the gro- cery business, on "Grab corner," foot of Monroe street, where they operated until 1874, then, moving across the street, they carried on their business until 1877. At that date they transferred their quarters to Powers' Opera House block. In February, 1880, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Crawford, of this sketch, em- barked in business on the corner of Canal and Lyon streets. He has always managed his business carefully and successfully, and carries a stock of groceries and provisions worth six or eight thou- sand dollars, with an annual trade aggregating about $80,000. He was married in Grand Rapids Nov. 17, 1872, to Mary I., daugh- ter of John W. and Philinda Fisk, born in Grand Rapids tp., Nov. 27, 1850. They have two children, born in this city, as follows: Grace H., July 8, 1875, and Donna M., Dec. 1, 1880. The parents

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

of Mrs. Crawford were pioneers of Kent county. Mr. Crawford belongs to the order of Masons, Valley City Lodge, No. 86. He has been Alderman of the 8th ward of Grand Rapids four years- two terms-and as President of the Common Council acted as Mayor during the absence of that official. Mr. Crawford resides on the cor- ner of Bridge street and College avenue, where he owns his resi- dence and three lots; also owns several lots in different parts of the city.

J. P. Creque, Vice-President of the Kent Furniture Co., Grand Rapids, and also of the St. Joe Valley Furniture Co. of Mishawaka, Ind., was born in Bucks county, near Philadelphia, Penn., May 13, 1836. His father, John M. Creque, was a farmer of that region, and the subject of this sketch was reared amid rural scenes. He- came to Grand Rapids in 1854, and during the war was employed as a clerk in Jefferson Carson's sutler tent, connected with the 3d. Mich. Cav. He was subsequently sutler of the 3d Reg. Mo. Vol. Inf. After the war he returned to Grand Rapids, and in 1867 en- gaged in the furniture business, and has been eminently successful __ His place of business, at 59 & 61 Canal street, is filled with furni- ture of the most artistic designs, and containing the best products- of the two companies which he represents. Mr. Creque was mar- ried in 1864 to Minnie J. Pike. They have one child, Lulu V.

Mrs. Charity Crosby, grandmother of Hon. Moreau S. Crosby, was born Aug. 14, 1789, at Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., Conn. Her- father, Roles Sears, was a Captain in the Revolutionary war. He- was twice married and the father of 14 children. Mrs. Crosby is the second child by the second marriage, and is the last one of" the 14 living. A sister 12 years older than she died three. years ago at Danbury, Conn., aged 100 years and three months .. Mrs. Crosby is now 92 years of age and has lived to see her fifth descendant. She was married in October, 1805, at the age of 16, to Stephen B. Crosby. They came to Grand Rapids in 1858. Mr. Crosby died July 2, 1872, aged 89, the last of a family of 12 children.

James S. Crosby (deceased) was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1813. He was the son of Stephen and Charity (Sears) Crosby, the latter a native of Connecticut. Mr. Crosby was reared to man- hood at Herkimer, Ontario Co., where he, early in life, gave his- attention to mercantile pursuits, which he afterward carried on in. Wayne Co., N. Y. In 1856 he came to Michigan, remaining a. short time at Plainwell, Allegan Co., within the same year pro- ceeding to this city, where he embarked in traffic in flour and feed, and dealt in soap and candles. In 1858 he opened an office as in- surance and real-estate agent, which he continued until his death, Sept. 9, 1875. He was married in 1837, in Wayne Co., N. Y., to Amelia Barney, born in Orange Co., N. Y. Their only child,. Moreau S., Lieut. Governor of Michigan, resides at Grand Rapids. Mr. Crosby was a public man and office-holder in his native State, but in his later life he found retirement and personal privacy more- agreeable to his tastes.

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

Hon. Moreau S. Crosby, Lieut. Governor, was born at Man- chester, Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 2, 1839. He came to Grand Rapids in 1857, but returned to his native State to complete a course of study at Rochester University, from which he graduated in 1863. He was, soon after, associated in insurance and real- · estate business with his father, J. S. Crosby, and after his death continued in the management of the office. He was elected a member of the Board of Education in 1870, where he acted four years. He was elected in 1872 on the Republican ticket and served until 1875. In public duty Mr. Crosby has had a notably versatile range. He was Trustee of Kalamazoo College several years; President of the G. R. Y. M. C. A. five years; President of the State Y. M. C. A. two years; member of the State Board of Charities some years; is Lieut .- Governor of Michigan, elected in the fall of 1880; Vice-President of G. R. Savings Bank, and Super- intendent of the Baptist Sunday-school, of which Church he has been a member since 1858. He was married in 1864, at Rochester, N. Y., to Mary E. Moseley, born in that city. They have two sons and one daughter.

Rev. Isaac Crook, D. D., pastor of Division Street M. E. Church, was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 10, 1833. He is a son of John Crook, whose father was a Revolutionary soldier, and who took part in the stirring scenes about Boston, and particularly the order of "Old Putnam," at Bunker Hill, to "reserve fire till they could see the whites of the enemy's eyes," were transmitted to his pos- terity as family traditions. The mother's name was Anna Sher- wood, of English ancestry, who was an early settler in Connecticut. After acquiring all that the " school-master " could do for him, and some experimenting as a very youthful pedagogue, he entered the preparatory. department of the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he graduated in 1859. Since then he has been in the min- istry of the M. E. Church, filling the foremost appointments in the Ohio, Illinois and Minnesota Conferences-and now the Di- vision Street Church, in the Michigan Conference. His ministry has been a laborious one, and his fields of labor have saved him the necessity of seeking a place by seeking for the laborer. His first year's pastorate at Grand Rapids was signally blessed, aside from more direct results, in the removal of an old and heavy in- debtedness of 12 years' standing from the society, incurred in the building of the elegant house of worship. He was married in 1860 to Miss Emma E. Wilson, who that year graduated from the Ohio Weslyan Female College at Delaware, and whose acquaint- ance he had formed in the home of her excellent parents during school days. She is admirably adapted to her responsible sphere, her life having a marked influence on the young people of the Church where her husband has "gone preaching the kingdom of God." Four children are filling up their lives with gladness, one of whom, the eldest daughter, is now a student in Germany.

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Rev. Francis H. Cuming, D. D. (deceased), was born at New Haven, Conn. His father was Fortescue Cuming, a Scotchman by birth, who came to America during the Revolutionary war, as an officer in the British army, to help subdue the Americans, but was appalled at the magnitude of the task, and soon after married Phebe Harrison, and settled on American soil. The subject of this sketch was educated by Dr. D. C. Rudd, a successful clergy- man and teacher, in Elizabethtown, N. J. He received priest or- ders in the Episcopal Church, from Bishop Hobart, of Rochester, N. Y., who preached his last sermon with the consecration of St. Paul's church, of the latter city. Dr. Cuming superintended the erection of St. Luke's church, and after a residence of nine years at Rochester, removed to New York city, where he laid the founda- tion of Calvary Church, and in 1831 became its first Pastor. He spent one year in traveling over the Union as Secretary and Gen- eral Agent for the school of the Episcopal Church. After his ser- vices were ended at Calvary Church, Dr. Cuming went to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he remained four years, and prepared his only son for the first year of the University, and who graduated at the age of 16 years. At the age of 20 he removed to the West, and subsequently became Governor of Nebraska. In October, 1843, Dr. Cuming came to Grand Rapids, where for many years he attended to the spiritual wants of his large number of parishoners. A high eulogy on his life and good works will be found in the history of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, written by Thomas B. Church, Esq. During his pastorate St. Mark's church was erected, and to his earnest, faithful labors the present high position of that Church in this city is mainly attributable. Per- haps of all the pastors of the Christian Church known to the peo- ple of Grand Rapids, none were held in higher esteem: only one or two won a similar place in the hearts of the people.

Chauncey Curtiss, a retired pioneer farmer of Kent county, was born at Cooperstown, Otsego Co., N. Y., Sept. 26, 1796. When two years of age his mother, his father being dead, removed to Brooklyn, Windham Co., Conn., where he was reared, and engaged in business for many years. While a resident of that county, in 1817, he married Polly L. Adams, who bore him 10 children, all of whom are living. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Curtiss came to Michigan, locating on a farm in Plainfield tp., Kent Co., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for nine years. At the end of that time he sold his property and removed to the city of Grand Rapids, where he has since resided. Mr. Curtiss is blessed with a strong and healthy constitution, and although over 85 years of age, has never suffered a day's sickness in his life. His physical and mental faculties are but slightly injured by age, and a greater por- tion of his time is spent in laboring as in days of yore. Time rolls rapidly along, and in 1867 Mr. Curtiss was made aware of the fact that half a century had passed since he had sworn to "love, cherish and protect " his amiable and loving companion. The result of

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

this discovery was a golden wedding, projected by his children, relatives and hosts of friends. At this enjoyable occasion nine children were present, besides numerous offsprings " unto the third and fourth generations." The occasion will be long remembered by all who had the pleasure of attending and participating in the happiness of the bride and groom of two-score and ten. Five years passed swiftly by, and Chauncey Curtiss was called upon to mourn her who had been so long his helpmate and adviser in all things. Mrs. Curtiss was tenderly laid at rest, and the subject of this sketch returned to the desolated hearthstone to await alone the end of all earthly things. Mr. Curtiss has bravely borne the brunt of life's hard battles, and deserves to be recorded among the brave pioneers and early settlers of Kent county.

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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 97

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