USA > Michigan > Muskegon County > History of Muskegon County, Michigan: with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 18
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
COL. J. H. STANDISH is one of the pioneer lawyers of the State. Col. Standish was born in Benson, Vt.,-in 1820, and remained there with his parents until 1836, when he went to Ohio and Illinois and thence to Texas. He served about two years in the war between Texas and Mexico, and afterwards came north to Illinois. He studied law and was admitted to practice at Mt. Carmel, Ill. In 1846 he came to Michigan, first to Eaton County, and then to
Newaygo, where he remained until 1863. Early in that year he enlisted and went into the service as Captain of Co. A., Tenth Michigan Cavalry. He was an excellent soldier and an efficient officer; and was promoted first to Major and then to Colonel. He remained in the service until the close of the war, when he returned to Newaygo and resumed the practice of law. In 1867 he was elected to the State Senate, and re-elected in 1869. Upon the ac- cession of Gen. Grant to the Presidency he was appointed United States District Attorney and removed to Grand Rapids, where he remained until the close of his second term in 1876, when he re- turned to Newaygo, and stayed there until 1879, when he came to Muskegon.
NARZIS STEINER belongs to the ranks of those who have had a residence of nearly a quarter of a century in Muskegon. He was born in Germany Jan. 29, 1826, and came to this country in 1853. He spent a short time in New York and then went to Rhode Island and remained two years. From there he came to Milwaukee and stayed eighteen months, and then went to the northern part of Wisconsin and engaged at work in the pineries. In the fall of 1857 he came to Muskegon. He worked in the mills for a time and then pre-empted some land and improved it. He enlisted in February, 1864, in the 6th Mich. Cavalry, and remained in the service until March 27th, 1866. After his return from the service he spent a year on his farm in Newaygo and then returned to Muskegon and built the hotel known as the " Steiner House," which he has since occupied. Mr. Steiner thoroughly overhauled and enlarged his hotel in 1881-2, and now has forty-four rooms. He has spent over $3,000 in these improvements, which can be best appreciated by viewing a cut of the building in this work, accompanied by the por- traits of Mr. and Mrs. Steiner.
LEVI TRUESDELL, merchant, between Sixth and Seventh streets on Western avenue; a highly respected citizen and one of those who have seen the city grow from a small village to a prosperous city. Born in Genesee county, N. Y., he came to Muskegon in 1855, erecting a mill, that of Durkee, Truesdell & Co., which was burned in 1877. In June, 1866, Mr. Truesdell sold out and went back to New York for ten years.
THOS. J. WATERS, Sheriff, was born in New York State in 1831, came to Michigan in 1842, to Kent county, and in September, 1852, came to Muskegon, driving team for Ryerson & Morris till April, 1861, when he enlisted in the 3rd Mich. Inf., and his military career will be found in the history of Co. "H" of that regiment. From 1864 he worked for the Booming Co. at spile driving for three years, and for over six years superintended their works, leaving for Michigan City till 18th Sept., 1877, when he returned to Muskegon, engaging in scaling until he was elected Sheriff in November, 1878. He was re-elected in November, 1880 for another two years, and makes a popular and efficient officer.
LUTHER WHITNEY, Postmaster at Muskegon, was born in Gil- son, New Hampshire, in 1815. In 1837 he came West, to Wis- consin and was at Green Bay for a time and afterwards at Kenosha. He was married at Green Bay in December, 1844, to Miss Rebecca J. Allen, of that place. In the spring of 1865 he came from Keno- sha to Muskegon, and engaged as book- keeper for the Truesdell Lumber Co., and subsequently had charge of their business at Mus- kegon. In February, 1875, he received the appointment of Post- master at Muskegon, which position he still retains. As a public officer, Mr. Whitney is careful and efficient in the discharge of his duties, and genial and accommodating to all with whom he has. to do.
O. C. WILLIAMS, M. D. was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1833, and early in life formed a determination to adopt the med- ical profession as his life pursuit. After studying at his native
.
NARZIS STEINER
MR$ NAHZIS STEINER.
STEINER HOUSE. MUSKEGON, MICH.
77
0
HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
place he graduated at the city of New York in 1859, and entered upon the practice of his profession. After a short residence at Jackson, Mich., he came to Muskegon in 1865, where he has since remained. Dr. Williams belongs to the "regular" school of physi- cians. He is a genial gentleman wholly devoted to his profession, and especially to surgery, in which his practice is very extensive.
M. WILSON, City Treasurer of the city of Muskegon, 1881, was born in Ireland, and came to this country in 1846. In 1859 he reached Muskegon and turned his attention to lumbering. In 1866- 67 he built the mill now owned and operated by M. Wilson & Co. Mr. Wilson is quiet and unassuming, but a vigorous business man. He held the office of City Treasurer two years.
GEO. B. WOODBURY, was born in Sutton, Worcester county, Mass., Nov. 18, 1816, and is a descendant of John Woodbury, of Somerset, England, who came over to Sutton in 1624. Mr. Wood- bury's ancestors have been quite prominent in the affairs of Massa- chusetts. Shortly after his birth his parents removed to Cayuga county. N. Y., and he remained there until the close of 1835, when he removed, first to Tecumseh, then to Indiana, and in 1840 to Muskegon, where he has ever since resided with the exception of the years 1850-53, when he was in California. He learned in Muske- gon the engineering business and has been steadily in the mill now owned by Thomas Stimson, of Big Rapids, but who is coming to re- side in Muskegon. Mr. Woodbury was married Dec. 11, 1853 to Miss Rachel S. Johnson, of Grand Haven, and has four surviving children, two sons and two daughters. He is not of an aspiring disposition as far as public office is concerned, and is respected by all for his strict integrity of life and his obliging disposition. His many friends will be pleased to observe his portrait in this work.
EDWARD H. WYLIE, late Judge of Probate, was born in Leban- on, Madison county, N. Y., Dec. 8, 1819, and remained in his na- tive place and vicinity until twenty-five years of age, being engaged from his fourteenth to his nineteenth year as clerk in a bookstore. In 1845 he came to Grand Rapids, spending a year there in teach- ing, and the next four years in Sparta, in the northern part of Kent county. In 1849 he came to Muskegon, where he ever afterward resided. For the first six or seven years he was chiefly in the em- ploy of Messrs. Ryerson & Morris, and was also four years in mer- cantile business. Mr. Wylie was then appointed by the Governor Judge of Probate to fill a vacancy and his great popularity and effi- ciency as a public officer is evidenced by the fact that he was four times successively elected. The Judge was very attentive to the duties of his office, was courteous to all, and was thoroughly ac- quainted with his duties. His portrait will be found elsewhere. The community has scarcely recovered from the shock of his sud- den death from heart disease, which occurred on the 29th of April last. His memory will be cherished by many friends.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
REV. ABEL ANDERSON, pastor of Norwegian Lutheran church, was born in the town of Albion, Dane county, Wis., his parents be- ing among the first party of emigrants, who left Norway for the New World in 1839. Mr. Anderson was brought up on his father's farm until he was eighteen. He then entered Luther College, De- corah, Iowa, studying one year; after which he spent two years at Albion Academy, and later a year and a half at Wisconsin State University, returning to Luther College to finish. He then entered ' Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, and completed in 1874 a course of theology, after which he was called to Muskegon, where at first he had all the outlying stations under his charge, and did mission work in Canada, Michigan, and other States, and still has
charge of twelve churches in western Michigan. That Mr. Ander- son is highly respected by all classes, is evidenced by the fact that at the election in 1881 he was re-elected for the third term as School Inspector by a unanimous vote being on both party tickets.
WM. ANDREWS, foreman of foundry in car works, born in Flint, Mich., 1857; when seventeen entered Genesee iron works at Flint for four years, then to Jackson, Saginaw, New York and Pennsyl- vania, gaining extended knowledge and experience in his business, becoming finally foreman of the works where he had been appren- tice. Came to Muskegon on May 4, 1881.
JAMES BALBIRNIE, undertaker, Muskegon, was born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1838, and came to Muskegon in 1865. In 1869 he en- gaged in the furniture and undertaking business which he con- ducted very successfully until the spring of 1881, when he disposed of his furniture and continued the undertaking branch. Mr. Bal- birnie is the oldest undertaker in the city of Muskegon.
L. O. BEERMAN is the proprietor of a large carriage and wagon manufactory on Pine street, Muskegon. Mr. Beerman is a native of Canada, and came to the States in 1867. In 1878 he came to Muskegon, from Spring Lake, Mich., and started his present busi- ness.
JOSEPH BEDARD, M. D., is a native of Montreal, Canada, and graduated at Victoria College in 1875. He practiced for a time near Montreal and in 1881 came to Muskegon and engaged in practice.
S. BLOCH, M. D., is a native of Austria and came to Muskegon in 1880. He graduated at the Vienna University in 1876, and was assistant physician and surgeon at the Imperial Hospital for some time. Dr. Bloch was born in Bohemia in 1846, and is a gentleman of fine culture and thoroughly versed in his profession. He belongs to the "regular" school of medicine.
ROBERT BLOSS, foreman of the machine shops at the Chicago & West Michigan car works, came to Muskegon in 1879 from Beth- lehem, Pa., where he was employed in the Bethlehem Iron Works. Mr. Bloss is a skillful machinest.
W. BODENDOERFER, saloon keeper, was born in Bavaria in 1835, came to America in 1849, working on a Wisconsin farm, and com- ing to Muskegon in 1853. In 1864 he enlisted in the 3d Mich. Inf., but changed to the 5th Mich., and was present at the capitu- lation of Gen. Lee. Married May 14, 1869, Anna Hoffman and has three boys and one girl. He opened his present place on Western Avenue in 1879.
R. BOOTH, superintendent of the Car and Engine Works, was born in New York, moved when young to Canada, learned his trade in Guelph, worked two years in Chicago, three years for the Joliet Iron & Steel Works, three years with Alex. Rodgers, and for over seven years with the C. & W. M. Railway. The car shops of the C. & W. M. R. R., which are well planned, were built under the superintendence of Mr. Booth. He was appointed to his present position in the spring of 1882.
WM. BOYER, late of the grocery firm of Ford & Boyer, is a na- tive of Ohio, and came to Muskegon in 1871. In 1875 the firm of Ford & Boyer was established and two stores opened, the one on Ottawa Street being in charge of Mr. Boyer. The firm dissolved in 1881 and Mr. Boyer retained the Ottawa Street business.
JOHN BRONSON, flour and feed dealer, was born in Middleburg, Holland, in 1830. When twenty-three he came to Mill Point, now Spring Lake. Having left his wife behind he returned to Holland in three years, and it was arranged that his wife and her parents should come the following year. For some reason the old people did not come, so Mr. B. went over again and brought out his wife alone. He came to Muskegon in 1853, and has been in his present business since 1868. In the great fire of 1874 he lost his house and
7
2
78
HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
shop, but rebuilt it in five weeks. He is the oldest in the business and does a large business, and has seen the city grow from a hamlet of 300 to its present size. He has been alderman for two terms.
D. BROWER, proprietor of the Gloverville Glove Manufactory, on Western Avenue, is a native of Gloverville, N. Y., and was brought up in the business in which he is now engaged. In 1876 he came to Muskegon and established his manufactory. His goods rank high in the market on account of their quality.
CHAS. W. BROWN, late engineer at the Car Works, was born in Detroit April 16, 1852. After various changes of residence he came to Muskegon in 1864, sailing three seasons, and was in the C. & W. M. R. R. shops, and engineer on boom tug Eastman, also second engineer in the city works in 1880-1881, and came to the car works in September. His engine room is a model of neatness.
ROBERT E. BUNKER, of the law firm of Mclaughlin, Delano & Bunker, is one of the rising young attorneys of Muskegon County. He is a native of Jackson, Mich., studied law at the University at Ann Arbor, and was admitted to practice in May, 1879. In May, 1880, he came to Muskegon and now belongs to one of the success- ful law firms in the city. Mr. Bunker is also a member of the boot and shoe firm of Cutter & Bunker. He is actively interested in ed- ucational matters and is authority on all school affairs of the city and county, having served four years as superintendent of the city public schools.
S. C. CHUMARD, proprietor of the Muskegon City Bottling Works, is one of the active business men. Mr. Chumard came to Muskegon from Illinois in 1869, and that same year established his present business. He is a native of Pennsylvania and has been very successful in his business operations. He is, at the present time, largely interested in Utah mining property, and a portion of his time is spent in that region.
PETER CALL, proprietor of a saloon and boarding house on Ot- tawa Street, Muskegon, came from Whitehall in June, 1881, and opened his present place of business. Mr. Call was in business at Whitehall for nine years.
FRANCIS W. Cook, attorney at law, is a native of New York State. . Was admitted to practice at St. John's, N. Y., and came to Muskegon in Dec. 1870, and has resided here since that time. Mr. Cook is a very successful lawyer and has a large practice.
CHARLES A. CRANDALL, stair builder and wood turner, on the floor over the Novelty Works on Terrace Street, commenced business in Muskegon in the spring of 1881, and has been in his present place since February, 1882, and is doing a good business. He was, previous to coming to this city, eight years with the Stearn's Manufacturing Co., Grand Haven, where he married June 21, 1877, Cornelia J. Van Westrienen, of Grand Haven, by whom he has two children, Howard A., born Aug. 1, 1878, and Garret J., born Dec. 25, 1879. Mr. Crandall is a native of Philadelphia, where he was born Aug. 31, 1849. In 1856 he came to Chicago, where he learned the trade of wood carving.
WM B. CUTTER, of the firm of Cutter & Bunker, dealers in boots and shoes, is a native of Bangor, Maine. Mr. Cutter came to Muskegon in 1870, and in June, 1880, formed a co-partnership with R. E. Bunker. Mr. Bunker devotes his entire time to the practice of law, which leaves Mr. Cutter with the sole management of the store and business. The firm do a large and flourishing business.
SAMUEL DAVIS, manufacturer of cigars at Muskegon, belongs to the list of successful manufacturers. Mr. Davis is a native of New York State and came to Muskegon in 1875 from Buffalo. In 1876 he began the manufacture of cigars in the Graham block, but his increasing business requiring more room he removed in 1880 to his present commodious quarters in Torrent's block. At the present time he employs sixteen men and is doing a flourishing business.
H. L. DELANO, of the well known law firm of Mclaughlin, De- lano & Bunker, is a native of Ohio, and was admitted to the prac- tice of law at Hart, Mich., May, 1876. From Hart he went to Whitehall and practiced a year, when he removed to Muskegon. In February he formed a co-partnership with David McLaughlin and Robt. E. Bunker, under the firm name of Mclaughlin, Delano & Bunker.
NELSON DELONG, Mayor of the city and Prosecuting Attorney, is a native of Maple Rapids, Mich. Graduated at the University of Michigan in March, 1871, and entered upon the practice of law at Maple Rapids the same year. After remaining there about two years he removed to Muskegon. In 1877 he was elected Prosecu- ting Attorney for Muskegon County and reelected in 1879. In 1882 he was elected Mayor of the city.
. C. P. DONELSON, M. D., was born in Flint, Mich., April 11, 1848. In 1872 he graduated at Ann Arbor, Mich., and also at the Long Is- land Hospital, New York. He had graduated at the Wesleyan Uni- versity, of Delaware, in 1867. He was married in March, 1873, to Miss Mary A. Johnson, of Kalamazoo. Dr. Donelson has resided in Muskegon since 1872, and stands very high in his profession.
CHARLES DUNN, dealer in liquors and tobacco, Western avenue Muskegon, came here in 1871 from Paw Paw, Mich. In Febru- ary, 1881 he purchased the business of Nelson Patterson, which he has since continued. Mr. Dunn is a native of New York City.
A. ECKERMAN, dealer in drugs and medicines, corner Pine street and Muskegon avenue, came to Muskegon from Grand Rapids, and started in business in the fall of 1881. He enlisted in the service in 1862 and served until discharged in 1865. After the war he went to Holland, Mich., and removed from there to Grand Rapids.
ECCLES & BRADFORD, proprietors of American Hotel, corner of Water and Market streets. This popular and commodious house is kept by Mr. Geo. Eccles and his son-in-law, Andrew Bradford. The hotel was established in 1850, and a large addition made in 1866. It is three stories in height, accommodates 75 with rooms, but its large run is for day boarders. The proprietors are both veterans of the last war. Mr. Eccles enlisted in Co. E. 2d Mich. Cavalry, at Grand Rapids on the 14th of September, 1861. After three years' service he re-enlisted till the close of the war, and was in the armies o Thomas and Rosecrans.
A. BRADFORD was born in Oakland Co., Mich., in 1842, and came to Muskegon in 1856 in connection with the mail stage to Grand Rapids; enlisted in 1862 in 2d Mich. Cavalry, army of Cum- berland; was in Perryville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Franklin, Resaca, Nashville, raided into Georgia with Gen. Wilson, and was mustered out at close of war. In 1866 he married Mary, daughter of G. Eccles, by whom he has one daughter, Aime, born Sep. 4, 1867. Mr. Bradford was also in the American Express Company seven years.
FRANK EINER was born in Germany in 1822; came to Wiscon- sin in 1854, and after two years came to Muskegon engaging in sawmilling. After a few years he went to Texas, where he remained until 1861, when he returned to Muskegon where, in 1863, he en- listed in the army, serving bravely until the close of the war, and has been ever since in the employ of Ryerson, Hills & Co. In 1848 he married Miss C. Keller, of Germany, who died in 1861. Three years afterwards he married Miss Magdalena Zerwes, of Milwaukee, by whom he has four children.
HENRY ELENDS, baker and confectioner, Terrace street, has a fine establishment of 40 feet frontage, established in 1880. He was born in Gottingen, in 1837. When 26 years of age he came to America; was three years in Fond du Lac, and fifteen years on the south side of Chicago.' He is very skilled in his business, which he learned in his native town. He married in 1864 Augusta Loth, of
79
C
HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
C
Silesia, and has lost six children. In 1861 he enlisted with one hundred others of the Turnverein Society in the army of the Cum- berland; was captured at Murfreesboro, and nearly starved in Libby prison; discharged in 1864.
JEDSON ELLIS, M. D., is one of the rising young physicians of Muskegon. He is a native of Ontario, Canada, and graduated at Trinity College, Toronto, in 1879. After practicing a little more than a year near Hamilton, Canada, he came to Muskegon in the Spring of 1881. He belongs to the regular school of physicians.
WILLIAM H. FLETCHER is an extensive grocer, on Western ave- nue. He is a native of Vermont, and came to Michigan from Hartford, Conn., in 1872. In 1876 he came to Muskegon and en- gaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Fletcher is a young man of great energy and has succeeded in building up a large and prosper- ous business.
E. R. FORD, late of the firm of Ford & Boyer, grocers, Muske- gon, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1835. In 1853 he came to Michigan, and remained for a while in Ottawa County. For several years he has owned a sawmill at Twin Lake. In 1873 he came to Muskegon and went into the grocery business with Wm. Boyer, the firm name being Ford & Boyer. They had two stores, one on West- ern avenue and one on Ottawa street. The firm dissolved in the Fall of 1881, Mr. Ford retaining the store on Western avenue, and Mr. Boyer that on Ottawa street.
N. B. GREEN, of the firm of N. B. Green & Son, dealers in fresh and salt meats, on Western avenue, Muskegon, was born in Water- town, N. Y., in 1827. In 1849 he went to California where he re- mained eleven years. For several years he was in business at Paw Paw, and in 1880 came to Muskegon and started business as above stated.
H. M. GILMAN, with A. H. Petrie, Muskegon, is a New York State man, and came to Muskegon in 1876, and engaged in business. The firm are extensive dealers in bark, railroad ties and coal.
FRITZ HASSE, dealer in fresh and salt meats, Pine street, Mus- kegon, is a native of Germany, and came to this country in 1869. Soon after reaching this country he came to Muskegon. He has been in the meat business since 1876.
J. L. HAMILTON is the proprietor of a meat market on Western avenue, and has been in business there since September, 1880. He is a native of Ireland; landed in this country in 1872, and came to Muskegon in 1874, from Chicago.
PETER HOKONSON, engineer for W. H. Bigelow, Muskegon, was born in Norway, Oct. 1, 1845, and at 12 learned to be a machinist with Mr. Ging, an Englishman; immigrated in 1869, first to Grand Rapids; worked four years for Rodgers, of Muskegon, then for Montague Iron Works; returned to Muskegon in 1877. Married in February, 1871, Marta Bjornstad, and has three children; Hokon, born 1873; Lena, 1875; Sarah, 1877.
W. P. & J. H. HEIMBACH, flour and feed dealers, 46 and 48 Western avenue, established their business in 1879, and are sons of Daniel Heimbach, of Walworth, Wis., for thirty years a sailor on the lakes. They are worthy young men, and do a large and increas- ing trade.
NELIUS HOLTHE, for three years Supervisor of First Ward, was born in Norway, in 1832, and was the son of a justice of the peace and farmer. When 37 he came out to America, soon finding his way into the pineries of Michigan; has been in Muskegon since 1870, working in shops and sawmills, being a blacksmith by trade; has been four years policeman, two years constable and three years supervisor; is agent for emigrant steamship lines.
D. W. HENDERSON, of the Novelty Works, Terrace street, Mus- kegon, was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in 1854. When three years of age his parents removed to Howick, Ontario, where, after
learning his trade, he came first to Chicago, and in 1870 to Muske- gon, shortly after starting in business for himself. He had a fine 'three-story brick carriage shop 30x45 feet, with a wooden annex and a blacksmith shop, each 22x40 feet; employing eleven men, and turning out annually $15,000 worth of work. In the Fall of 1881 he entered into the Novelty Iron Works' Company, which carries on an extensive business in his establishment.
ALBERT HOHENSTEIN, leader of the brass and string band, which has been organized and in active operation since 1875, and now con- sists of twelve pieces and drum major. Mr. H. was born in Prus- sia, April 12, 1830; came to America 1852, having previously stud- ied music in Berlin Academy. He also studied at Detroit; came to Muskegon in 1875. He has leased the DeKalb Hotel, which is be- ing enlarged by twenty rooms, and is to be named the Hotel Hohen- stein.
JOHN J. HOWDEN, plumber and gas fitter, was born in Whitby, Ontario, in 1846, and at 12 years of age came to Pt. Huron, re- maining there two years connected with gas company. In 1871 he came to Muskegon in order to build and superintend the gas works. Mr. Howden married Miss Maria Walker, of his native place.
J. E. JAMISON, Justice of the Peace, Muskegon, was a native of New York State, and came to Muskegon in 1869. In 1870 he was admitted to the bar, and was Circuit Court Commissioner from 1872 to 1878, and was elected again in 1880. He held the office of Jus- tice of the Peace from 1872 to 1876, and was again elected in- 1880. He died of consumption March 17, 1882, and was interred at Ovid, Mich., his former home. His remains were accompanied to the depot at Muskegon by Masons and Knights of Pythias, of which so- cieties he was a prominent member. He was well known and widely esteemed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.