USA > Michigan > Muskegon County > History of Muskegon County, Michigan: with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 19
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JACOB JESSON & Co., proprietors of the Central Drug Store, Muskegon, Mich. The above named firm commenced business Jan. 15th, 1881, on the corner of Western Avenue and Jefferson street, since which time they have done a large and an increasing business. Their prescription business far exceeds anything in that line ever done here by any other firm. On account of their exten- sive drug trade their customers can always rely upon receiving pure and fresh drugs, that can be depended upon. Mr. Jacob Jesson, who has charge of the business, is an old settler in Muskegon, and commenced to learn his trade with S. H. Wagener in 1866, since which time he has been actively engaged in the drug business, and has earned for himself the reputation of being one of the best drug- gists in this part of the State. The other members of the firm are Dr. O. C. Williams, Dr. J. M. Cook and Dr. C. P. Donelson.
L. N. KEATING, lawyer, was born in Monroe Co., Mich., in 1840; read law with the Hon. E. L. Koon, of Hillsdale, and prac- ticed law in that place for nine years, after graduating in the Law Department of the University of Michigan. In the Spring of 1875 he came to Muskegon, and has established an extensive and lucra- tive practice. He married, Nov. 10th, 1869, Martha A., daughter of the Hon. John P. Cook, of Hillsdale.
W. B. KELLY, flour and feed dealer, Pine street, near Western Avenue, was born Dec. 25, 1842, in Wayne Co., Mich., and mar- ried, Dec. 25, 1866, Mattie J., daughter of Dr. Hollembach. He enlisted in Co. H., 1st Mich. Inf., from Ypsilanti, for three months, at the time of Bull Run, and again enlisted in 1862, in the 4th Mich. Cav., in the Army of the Cumberland; was captured at Chic- amauga and imprisoned fourteen months at Richmond and Ander- sonville, and was not released until the following July. He estab- lished his flour and feed business in 1872, was burned out in 1874, and has now a well filled store 24x70 feet.
JAMES D. KINGSBURY, proprietor of the " New York Tea Store" on Western Avenue, came from East Saginaw, in June, 1881, and
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
opened one of the finest stores in the city. He confines his business almost wholly to tea, coffee," spices and crockery, and is rapidly building up a large trade. Mr. Kingsbury is a native of Ohio.
H. LANGLAND is the junior member of the hardware firm of J. Vanderwerp & Co., doing business on Pine street and Western Avenue. Mr. Langland is a native of Holland and came to this country in 1865, and in 1866 came to Muskegon. The present firm dates from 1871.
JOSEPH LASSER, the popular barber, on Western Avenue and Thayer street, is a native of France, and came to Chicago in 1848. From there he went to Grand Haven, and then to Muskegon, in 1865. He employs three or four assistants, has hot and cold baths, and does the largest business in his line in the city.
WILLIAM McCOMB, photographic artist, ranks high in his pro- fession, and has a very fine gallery. He is a native of Ottawa, Canada, and settled here in 1878, opening his gallery on Western Avenue. Mr. McComb does a very large business, ranking among the best in his line in the State.
WILLIAM M. McKILLIP was born in Washington Co., New York, in 1822. In 1846 he came to Chicago, where he remained five years. From Chicago he went to Grand Traverse, where he was engaged in lumbering for nine years. He then returned to Chicago, and after remaining there four years went to the Upper Peninsula, where he was engaged in lumbering for two years. In 1867 he came to Muskegon from Kenosha, Wis., and was in charge of the mill and lumber business of Chapin & Foss until they sold out, during the past year. He has purchased an interest in a Manistee mill.
L. R. MARVIN, M.D., was born in Erie, N. Y., in 1848, and graduated in Chicago in February, 1870. He came to Muskegon the following April, and began the practice of his profession. Dr. Marvin belongs to the Homeopathic school of medicine, and although yet a young man, enjoys the confidence of the public and has a large practice.
W. H. MILLER started in business at Whitehall as a dentist in the year 1878, and removed to Muskegon in June, 1880, and at once entered into the pursuit of his avocation over Bolza's jewelry store, where his office is now located. His dental parlors are sup- plied with all the modern improvements that are now known to successful dentistry. Mr. Miller also operates a branch office at Grand Haven, which at present has a fine run of trade. He enjoys the enviable reputation of being Muskegon's best and most skillful dentist, and has a very large and steadily improving business, which he has gained by a strict and close attention to the minutest details of his profession. His parlors are located in a prominent part of the city, and their arrangement gives evidence of his taste in the line of arranging and decorating. He is still a young man, and by his temperate habits and gentlemanly deportment has won a host of friends, who recognize fully his excellent qualities as an operator in his particular line of business. The satisfaction his work has given to those who have had occasion to place themselves under his care speaks in the most laudatory terms, and is a certain guarantee of his future success and popularity. In the matter of fine work he stands to-day without a successful rival in Muskegon city or county. He also receives a large patronage from the surrounding hamlets, where his reputation as a dentist is irreproachable. Visitors are always cordially welcomed and they will never fail to find the " latch string out."
L. B. MORSE, proprietor of the City Omnibus and Hack Line, is a native of New York State, and came to Muskegon in 1866, from Grand Rapids. In 1871 he established his present business. He first started in the rear of where Mason's block now stands, but
was obliged to seek larger quarters, and in 1878 removed to the large and convenient building he now occupies.
SIDNEY S. MORRIS, of the National Steam Sausage Factory, packer and dealer in provisions, etc., was born in Kings Co., N. Y., in 1844; attended school at Birmingham, Eng., taking seven trips across the Atlantic; learned his business in New York city and Chicago; came to Muskegon in 1871, commencing his business the following year, in which he takes the lead in the county. He en- listed in 1862 for three years in the First New York Dragoons, and was in all Sheridan's campaigns, going out with the rank of Regi- imental Commissary Sergeant.
NELSON PATTERSON, ex-proprietor of the Hofstra House, was born in Kingston, Canada, in 1837. He first came to Michigan in 1856, to St. Jo. In 1871 he removed to Whitehall. While there he held the offices of Deputy Sheriff and City Marshal. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Michigan Cavalry. He first enlisted for three years, and at the expiration of that time returned home, and, after staying thirty days, re-enlisted for three years more, or during the war. He was in a large number of battles but received but one wound. Was in hospital several times, but never to remain a great length of time. He was, in the fullest sense, an active soldier, and experienced all phases of a soldier's life. After five years of hard service he was discharged in 1866 as Sergeant. From San An- tonio, Texas, he came north with his regiment, and was mustered out at Jackson, Mich. In 1878 Mr. Patterson came to Muskegon and leased the Hofstra House, which he sold out early in 1882, having proved a very popular landlord, and now resides in White- hall, engaging in the bark and tie business.
F. A. PERRY, dealer in hats, caps and gent's furnishing goods, is a native of New York State. In 1869 he came to Muskegon and engaged in business at 60, Western Avenue. In 1876 he removed his stock to the store he now occupies, at 123 Western Avenue. Mr. Perry is a reliable business man.
O. P. PILLSBURY, a prominent and highly respected lumberman of Muskegon. was born in Maine Feb. 2, 1826, came west in 1850, and has also spent some time in the railroad business in the Middle States, has been largely identified with the lumbering interests of the county, having built the mill now owned by Hamilton, Gerrish & Co. He has been on the school board, and been twice mayor of the city.
FRED. L. REYNOLDS, dealer in books and stationery, came to Muskegon in 1866 from Texas. During the war he was connected with the Quarter-Master's department, and for some time was in the Quarter-Master General's office at Washington. After coming here he engaged in the book and stationery trade, the firm at that time being Bolza & Reynolds. Subsequently the former retired and Mr. Reynolds continued alone. He also does a large railroad ticket bus- iness, and has charge of the Opera House.
JOHN RIORDAN & Co., dry goods merchants, 109 'Western Ave- nue, have a fine establishment, next to Mann Bros., for whom Mr. Riordan has been manager many years, and has commenced for himself early in 1882. He was born in New York State in 1836, and came at an early day with his parents to Washtenaw County, Mich., being on the farm until twelve years of age. He has had fourteen year's experience in the dry goods business. Residence No. 100 Webster Avenue.
ROBERT G. ROBSON, dealer in picture frames and confectionery, First Street, was born in London, England, in 1824, and came to this country in 1849, and in 1877 came to Muskegon from Illinois. He has been engaged in his present business since 1878.
NICHOLAS SCHULER, grocer, is one of the old settlers of the place. He is a native of Germany and reached this country in 1853. In 1854 he came to Muskegon and for many years worked at his trade
Short Merrill
srl lations
BIOGRAPHICAL.
THOMAS MERRILL, livery stable keeper, was born in Vermont, in 1824, came to Washtenaw county, Mich., in 1885, to Grand Rapids in 1844, and in 1849 to Ferrysburg, and remained until 1870 as foreman for Col. Ferry's mills, when he came to Muskegon, opening the first livery stable, which he still continues, and having now 30 horses. The only outlet the people of Muskegon had for eight years was the stage line operated by Culbert Bros. in this city and Mr. Merrill on the Ferrysburg end of the route. They used to have over thirty horses, and carried freight and passengers especially when naviga- tion was closed. Mr. Merrill is a gentleman highly respected by all who have his acquaintance, which is very extensive, as he is one of the pioneers of Ottawa and Muskegon Counties. His stables are very commodious, and are situated not far from the Hofstra Block. As a judge of horses Mr. Merrill from his long experience is not ex- celled in the county, and he keeps the best he can find. Mr. Mer- rill has never been a man who aspired to public honors or offices, his great pride being to have a first-class establishment in his own line of private business. Notwithstanding that Mr. Merrill is ap- proaching three score he is hale and hearty, having been blessed with a powerful physique and a sound constitution. He is a good specimen of the sound old pioneer stock.
Mr. Merrill has a stock of very interesting reminiscences of the olden times, and we are indebted to him for an account of the early staging in this county, and of the opening up of the road system.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
L. A. WALDRON is a good type of Muskegon's successful busi- ness men. Still hale and hearty, and in the prime of life, he has acquired a competency by strict attention to business, united with energy of character and firmness of principle. In 1867, shortly after the close of the civil war, in which he had for three years borne arms in defense of the Union, Mr. Waldron commenced the boot and shoe business, in which he had had no previous experi- ence, he having been brought up on his father's farm, but owing to physical inability he was unable to continue at that occupation. With very limited capital, with no experience in the business, through fire and through periods of commercial depression, Mr. Waldron still was able to breast every wave of difficulty and to reach the haven of success. He has the popular boot and shoe business of Muskegon, and carries a very full line of goods. His ordered work is especially in demand by those who desire a first-class article and good fit. Mr. Waldron is a native of Washtenaw Co., Mich., and was born Sept. 8th, 1834, his parents having emigrated to this State at a very early date, and having undergone the usual privations of the early pioneers. His father, who was born near Boston, had to go with his grist to Detroit, a distance of forty miles, through ex- ecrable roads, and was often gone a week on his arduous journey. Mr. Waldron had only the limited advantages of the district schools of those primitive times, and even that for but a limited period. He married, May 14th, 1867, Cordelia Clark, of Grand Rapids, and has a family of one son and two daughters.
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
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as carpenter. In 1863 he engaged in the grocery business, which he still continues.
GEORGE SCHWEGLER is a native of Germany and came to this country in 1849. In 1859 he came to Muskegon from Manistee. Upon the breaking out of the war in 1861 he enlisted and served until the close of the war. He was wounded at the first battle of Bull Run. Mr. Schwegler served as Marshal in Muskegon for some time and was Deputy Sheriff for four years. He has been in the hotel business from 1878 to 1882.
HENRY SESSING was born in Holland in 1837 and came to Mus- kegon in 1866, working in saw mills until 1870, when he com- menced business for himself in the grocery line, doing a successful trade. In 1866 he married Miss Flora Wilde, of Holland, by whom he has a family of four children.
A. D. SHERRY, ex-foreman of the Round House at the Chicago & West Michigan car shops, came to Muskegon from Ithaca, N. Y., in 1880, and in July, 1881, was promoted to his present position. For some time he was in the machinery department of the car shops at Geneva, N. Y. He was in the employ of the iron works at Beth- lehem, Pa., for nine years.
JOHN H. SIMONS, proprietor of the Washington House, came to Muskegon in 1873 from Whitehall, where he kept the Harwood House. The Washington House is one of the pioneer hotels in Muskegon. It was built in 1853 for a mill boarding house and was changed to a hotel in 1862. Mr. Simons enlisted in the service in 1863 at Grand Rapids, and was with the 1st Mich. Engineers and Mechanics until the close of the war.
ANDREW C. SMITH is a native of Detroit and came to Muskegon in 1870. In 1876 he opened a meat market on Western Avenue, and is doing, at the present time, an excellent business.
A. D. SMITH, foreman at the tin shop of the Chicago & West Michigan Repair Works, is a native of Holly, Mich., where he learned his trade. He came to Muskegon in 1875 to take the posi- tion which he now holds.
FRANK P. SNYDER, foreman of the paint shop of the Chicago & West Michigan Repair Works, Muskegon, came from Grand Rapids in 1877, and has been in his present position since 1879. He learned his trade at Grand Rapids, and was engaged at decorative painting for some time.
F. P. STAMP, M. D., is a native of Cass County, Mich., and be- gan practice at Union, Cass County, Mich., in 1875. In 1880 he came to Muskegon, where he has since been in practice. Dr. Stamp belongs to the "regular" school of medicine, and is especial- ly successful in the practice of surgery.
J. P. STODDARD, M. D., is a recent acquisition to the medical fraternity of Muskegon, having located here in 1880. Dr. Stoddard was born in Jackson, Mich., Feb. 22, 1836. and was a student at Ann Arbor, and attended Bellevue Hospital, New York, in 1867. He entered upon the practice of his profession at Albion, Mich., in 1867, and continued there until he came to Muskegon in 1880. He belongs to the Regular school, and is doing a large practice.
J. T. STURGIS, harness manufacturer, Muskegon, is a native of Rochester, N. Y., and came to Muskegon from Romeo, Mich., in 1867. For seven years after coming here Mr. Sturgis was engaged in fruit growing, and in 1874 began the manufacture of harness. He was in the service as a member of the 9th Mich. Inf., from 1861 to 1865.
J. H. THORBURN, foreman of car shops, born in Detroit, 1843, learned there the business of carpenter and car builder at Michigan Central Shops. In September, 1863, joined the navy as ship car- penter in the Mississippi squadron, was at the capture of Vicksburg, bridge building at Atlanta, six months on government railway con- struction at Chattanooga, was at battles of Franklin, Nashville, etc.
After various changes in all of which he was holding responsible positions and gaining experience, he came in June, 1881, from the Pullman car works.
ALBERT TOWL, dealer in groceries and provisions, Western ave- nue, is one of the successful business men of the city. Mr. Towl is a native of Ohio, and came to Muskegon from Bryan, O., in 1867. He enlisted in 1863 in Co. E. 86th Ohio Inf., and was in the ser- vice until 1864. Upon being mustered out of service he went into the Quartermaster's department, at Nashville, Tenn., where he re- mained about eighteen months. After reaching Muskegon he went into the grocery business. In 1874 he was burned out but immedi- ately rebuilt and continued business without interruption.
A. S. VAN BUREN is a recent acquisition to the ranks of Mus- kegon business men. He was formerly in business in Kalamazoo, and in 1880 came here and opened a furniture and crockery store on Terrace street. He has already established an excellent business, having now a double store in the News and Reporter Block.
F. VANDERWERP is one of the enterprising business men of Muskegon. His parents were seafaring people. In 1872 Mr. Van- derwerp came to Muskegon from Allegan county, and engaged in the dry goods and grocery business. In 1876 he engaged in the sewing machine business and has continued in it since that time, although he has been interested in other branches of trade during the past five years. He now does the largest business in sewing machines and musical instruments of any firm in this part of the State. He has branch offices at Grand Haven, Whitehall and Pent- water.
JOHN VANDERWERP, JR. is one of the young and enterprising business men of Muskegon. He was born in Ottawa county, in 1856, and came to Muskegon in 1870. In 1873 he engaged in business for himself on Pine street, and is doing a large business in groceries and drugs, and is also the senior member of the hardware firm of J. Vanderwerp & Co., besides being interested in the sewing machine business.
J. A. D. VANDERWERP of the firm of Montgomery & Vander- werp, furniture dealers, Muskegon, is a native of Holland and came to this country in 1864. In 1873 he came to Muskegon from Alle- gan county and was engaged in the hardware business unril 1876, when he became a member of the present firm.
JOHN H. VAN RIPER, proprietor of the Clifton House, was born near Patterson, New Jersey, Sept. 24, 1813. In 1877 he came to Muskegon from St. Joseph, Mich., and engaged in the hotel busi- ness.
DR. J. S. VAUGHAN, dentist, was born in Columbus, Chenango county, N. Y., in 1834, and was brought up in his native place; learned cabinet making at Courtland, N. Y., and went thence to the piano factory at Norwich, leaving that for Chicago in 1856, and thence to Janesville, Wis., where he entered a dentist's office, and has ever since followed that profession. He came to Muskegon in 1866, his office now being in Torrent's Block. Besides being a skillful and popular dentist, the doctor has a keen sense of musical enjoyment, and is an excellent performer on the violin of which he has five in his office, and one at least is almost invaluable, a Stradi- varius, supposed to be as old as 1700, but traced back to 1800. It was brought over by an Irish lieutenant in the War of 1812, he having purchased it in 1800 while in Italy. The lieutenant sold it in New York for $25, while on a debauch, and offered in vain $500 for it next day. Dr. Vaughan is the fourth owner of it since that, and esteems himself fortunate when he draws out its rich and mel- low tones.
J. D. WESTERVELT, of Muskegon, is one of the leading photo- graphers of the State, and has without doubt, the finest suite of rooms for his business, in Michigan. Mr. Westervelt is a native of
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
Niles, Mich., and is a natural artist. Early in life he made choice of the vocation for which he is so happily adapted. In 1858 he began business for himself in Niles and after seven years has been doing business in various portions of the State until 1875 when he came to Muskegon. From the first he acquired a liberal patronage and when the new postoffice building was projected he made nego- tiations for having the entire second floor fitted for his use. In August, 1881, he moved into his new and elegant apartments over the postoffice, and opened in Muskegon the most elaborate and ele- gant suite of photographic rooms in the State. Mr. Westervelt has done the photographs for many of the fine steel engravings in this work.
A. WIEGEL, confectioner, Western avenue, came here in 1874 from Detroit, and engaged in the manufacture of confectionery. After continuing in a small way for three years he had succeeded in increasing his business to such an extent that increased facilities were necessary, and in 1877 he removed to his present commodious quarters, and is now doing a large and successful business.
J. R. WILLIAMS, foreman of blacksmith shop at car works, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in September, 1834. When 13 he removed to Wayne Co., Mich., and when 17 learned his trade, first in horseshoeing, and in railway shops in which he was sixteen years; had charge of Jackson Wagon Co.'s Works for nine years; was in construction corps at Nashville during war; was in Mich. Cent. Car department two years; two and one-half years master builder at Ft. Wayne Government Works; one year on Central Pa- cific, and lastly in Jackson shops, whence he came at the opening of Muskegon Car Works. Mr. W. is very ingenious, and has a num- ber of devices for facilitating labor, patented and unpatented.
WM. B. WILSON, druggist, was born at Palmyra, N. Y., in 1829. He was for several years in the drug business at Adrian, Mich., and was in the same business at Hillsdale. In 1875 he came to Muskegon and was deputy treasurer of the county from 1875 to 1879. Upon retiring from that office he bought out the drug store of Mr. Benson, and is engaged in that business at the present time. Mr. Wilson has been a prominent member of the Knights Templar since 1865, and in May, 1880, was elected Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Michigan, for the term of one year. At the close of his term he was presented with a Past Grand Commander's Jewel, an elegant and costly piece of workmanship.
PETER WINTERMUTE, livery and sale stable keeper, Market St., Muskegon, was born in Orange Co., N. Y., November, 1843, and came to Muskegon April 3, 1876, entering at once in his present business, and has increased it so that he has now thirty horses, and twenty-eight fine carriages. In 1881 Mr. W. was elected Alderman for the Second Ward. His business is large and increasing. In 1882 he was elected President of the Council.
A. B. WOOD, of the firm of A. B. Wood & Co., general job printers, Muskegon, is a native of New York State, and came to Michigan in 1836. Mr. Wood is one of the veteran publishers of the State. For a time he was engaged in the publishing business in Ludington village, and afterwards in other sections of the State. He came to Muskegon in 1880, and is now engaged with his son in conducting a job office. Mr. Wood enlisted in the service in 1863, in the 27th Mich. Infantry. He held the rank of Captain, and served until the close of the war.
ASHFORD WOOD, of the firm of Tillottson & Wood, general insur- ance agents, is a native of New York State. In 1876 he came to Muskegon from Lake Superior, and engaged in the insurance busi- ness as a member of the above-named firm. This is one of the leading insurance firms in the city.
HUBERT F. YOUNG, saloon keeper, in new building nearly op- posite the Occidental, which was erected by Herman Franke, was
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born in Muskegon in 1857, and is a son of Frank Young, who came in 1848, and has a fruit farm near the city. Hubert F. married on the 4th of January, 1881, Rosetta Meurer.
JACOB ZERWES, cigar manufacturer, is a native of Milwaukee, Wis., and came to Muskegon in 1865. After working at his trade for fifteen years, in 1880 he started a manufacturing establishment of his own, and is doing a prosperous business.
Below we give a few biographies of those connected with dif- ferent
SAW MILLS
on the south side of the lake :-
THAYER LUMBER COMPANY.
WILLIAM BRINEN, foreman of the Thayer Lumber company's mills, came to Muskegon from Wisconsin, in March; 1865. Soon after arriving in Muskegon he went to work in the same mill of which he is now foreman. The mill at that time belonged to L. G. Mason & Co., known as the Mason mill. Mr. Brinen has been fore- man of the mill since 1876. He is now serving a second term as alderman.
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