USA > Michigan > Muskegon County > History of Muskegon County, Michigan: with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 31
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On May 28th it was resolved to give $600 for a Town Hall, provided Oceana gave as much.
On April 23d C. C. Thompson was authorized to build his pier on Slocum street.
At the election on May 2d 78 votes were cast and C. C.
Thompson became President; P. I. Hedges, Recorder; G. W. Franklin, H. Ruggles and John Welch, Trustees; Z. Mizner, Treas- urer, and J. W. Luscombe was made Marshal at $20 per month.
The tender of W. Blythe of $300 for clearing Slocum Park was accepted, but only $200 was paid, and H. Stearns was ap- pointed Street Commissioner.
The Fourth of July must have been a lively day for the boys, as special policemen were always necessary. This year H. Land- ford, M. Willfong, J. E. Platt and E. McCoy were so appointed, and $35 were appropriated to purchase a cannon.
Luscombe was removed from the Marshalship and Stearns was appointed on July 19th, and one of his duties was defined to be the care of the village ordnance.
On August 26th it was resolved to accept I. E. Carleton's invi- tation to Grand Haven to celebrate the completion of the railway, but for some reason the Board did not go.
1871.
The annual election the 1st of May, with 95 voters, resulted in the election of G. M. Smith as president ; A. Hood, H. E. Staples and J. C. Lewis, trustees; Henry Slater, recorder; and B. F. Frank, treasurer. On May 12, M. R. Stevens was appointed street commis- sioner, and Henry Slater village attorney. The former was allowed to rent the park and plant it with potatoes for $15. On 5th June Mr. Gale was appointed pound-keeper. Two thousand dollars was the amount of bond required of treasurer, and Z. Mizner and T. Bennett were accepted as sureties. On 10th July L. L. Marble was paid $191 for building sidewalks, and L. Rees $40 for tiles. B. F. Treat, the marshal, was paid at $25 a month. On Sept. 18 Frank's resignation as treasurer was accepted, and M. R. Stevens was ap- pointed.
1872.
M. Johnson appointed assistant marshal. The annual election, with 108 voters present, resulted in the election of George F. Good- rich as president, by 72 to 36 for A. Mears; Henry Slater as record- er by 78 to 27 over D. G. Scroggs; Z. Mizner as treasurer by 61 to 48 for K. F. Morse. The trustees were R. M. Hedges, C. Johnson, C. G. Thompson, but John Welch was appointed in place of C. Johnson, who declined office. E. H. Treat was appointed street commissioner and marshal at $25 a month and $2.50 per diem while employed on the streets. On May 22 C. C. Thompson re- signed and A. Hood was appointed trustee. On June 1st E. H. Treat was removed from marshalship and the court costs of his " discussion" with Mr. Fischer were paid out of the contingent fund, and it was immediately moved that he be reappointed. Five special police were appointed to keep "the boys" in order on the 4th of July. On the 5th of July the marshal was dismissed. On Dec. 2d J. Welch resigned and J. W. Ocobock was appointed trus- tee. On the 17th thanks were tendered to Muskegon firemen for assistance at the recent fire.
1873.
The annual election, 153 voters present, resulted in the election of H. E. Staples as president by 80 to 73 for A. Mears; R. M. Hedges as treasurer by 101 to 51 for F. Blackmarr. Henry Slater 149 votes as recorder; J. W. Ocobock, A. Fischer, trustees, H. Ruggles and H. E. Staples being ties for third trustee. Fred'k Hinman was appointed street commissioner at $2.50 a day. On the 7th of July several citizens petitioned to have A. G. Hopkins re- sign, but he declined to comply with the modest request, and it was filed. The taxes rose to 1 per cent for streets and 1 per cent for contingencies. On the 30th of July Ariel Bliss, marshal, resigned, and Nelson Patterson, now of Muskegon, was appointed at $50 per month. On the 15th of September the recorder was directed to en-
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216 Miller.
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
ter a bill in chancery to perfect the title to the lock-up. Staples & Covell's proposition to give the lumber for a sidewalk to Montague, if the village would lay it down was accepted. On October 20th the marshal and Mr. Hopkins were appointed to examine defective chimneys. On December 22, a petition was ordered to be circulated to ascertain the feelings of those interested in widening Covell street to 80 feet through Johnson's addition, and changing the name to " Mears avenue." It appears at this time that there was a suit by the village against Carleton et al., as $11 was allowed under-Sheriff E. McCoy for serving subpoenas.
1874.
On March 20th thanks were tendered M. Dodge for " refresh- ing" the Montague firemen at the recent great fire, and $15 was voted Mr. Harwood for the same act, and at next meeting an en- gine, fourth-class, nickel-plated, 1200 feet of hose and two hose- carts were ordered from the Silsby company.
The annual meeting, 214 voters present, resulted in the elec- tion of H. E. Staples as president; P. I. Hedges as recorder by 116 to 97 for H. Slater; L. T. Covell, A. Mears, and W. P. Utley for trustees, and R. M. Hedges, treasurer.
The financial statement shows that the direct tax was $3848; poll-tax $136; salaries $767; fines, circuses, etc., $65; total $4816, which was chiefly expended for sidewalks and road improvements. On June 9th F. Blackmarr, A. C. Elsworth and K. F. Morse were appointed a committee to investigate the finances. On June 18th W. S. Knowles' tender to build engine-house for $328 was accepted and D. A. Wicks appointed pound-master, but he resigned in a few weeks. Lot 4, block 10, was purchased for engine-house of C. Mears, and a fire-bell was bought through A. Mears for $172.
1875
The sidewalk bill of $42.80 against the Congregational church was " donated" to the society. It was also resolved that the docket of A: G. Hopkins, J. P., be searched to see how much he owed the village for fines, and on the 20th of April it was reported that "nothing" was due.
The annual election, 216 voters present, resulted in the choice of H. E. Staples as president, by 132 to 84 for Dr. Wheeler. O. M. Hedges for recorder received 126 to 90 for P. I. Hedges. R. M. Hedges became treasurer; Z. Mizner, L. T. Covell, W. P. Utley, M. Hanson and M. R. Stevens were trustees. The treasurer's bond was fixed at $4000. The bond for selling liquors was fixed at $1000. The tax on property for village purposes this year was but 4 of 1 per cent. On July 8th O. M. Hedges resigned as recorder and A. C. Elsworth was appointed at $100 a year, and also made village attorney. Watson Smart resigned the marshalship and Nelson Patterson is appointed at $25 per month.
1876.
The annual election, 255 present, resulted in the choice of H. E. Staples by 156 to 99 for Albert Mears. G. J. Moog became re- corder by 158 to 95 for C. W. McConnell; R. M. Hedges, treasurer; trustees, J. R. Mckay, L. T. Covell, H. W. Hill, C. C. Thompson and W. A. Phelps. The council this year wisely devoted its busi- ness into the hands of standing committees, and the Finance com- mittee reported that $2400 was due by July 1st next, and $1000 would be needed for contingencies; that as $1,500 would be the probable revenue from liquor licenses, that $1,900 should be levied for general purposes; it was therefore found necessary to raise the rate to 14 cents on the dollar. F. Hinman was elected engineer at $360 a year. On August 26 there appears to have been a discus- sion of the action of the First Baptist church in dividing the profits of the performance of the Tennessee Jubilee Singers, but the license
fee of $5 was remitted, with a warning that it would be collected "next time." On the 15th of September a fierce and sweeping or- dinance against houses of ill-fame was enacted. On December 12 Dallas Johnson was appointed marshal, but we find shortly after D. W. Covell accepts the office at $15 a month.
1877.
The annual election in May, 117 voters present, of which P. I. Hedges received 71 and A. Mears 45. B. F. Reed received 72 votes for recorder, with 43 for G. J. Moag; F. Blackmarr got 44 for treas- urer and Dr. Wheeler 37. The trustees were C. G. Alley, H B. Hinman, W. Flinn, James Ocobock and J. W. Jolinson. We read afterwards that H. E. Staples resigns as president and J. Oco- bock is appointed, and K. F. Morse takes Ocobock's place as trustee, but he having declined John Widoe was appointed. The tax was this year 1} per cent.
1878.
On motion of Mr. Alley it was resolved that all liquor-sellers file a bond of $3000.
The annual election, 197 voters present, resulted in the election of A. Mears unanimously; M. B. Covell was elected treasurer by . 119 to 97 for A. T. Linderman; B. F. Reed became recorder; the trustees were G. M. Smith, K. Frank Morse, J. H. Sholander, M. Hanson and John Bell; R. W. Norris, pound-master; M. R. Ste- phens, however, took the place of G. M. Smith, resigned, astrustee, and F. Hinman was appointed engineer and marshal at $25 a month for each office. Mr. Morse moved, seconded by John Bell, that a tax of $250 be levied on each liquor-seller; carried, but at next meeting Mr. Morse resigns and E. M. Ruggles is appointed, and also Mr. Hanson resigns and is replaced by A. Hood. It was then moved by J. Bell, seconded by E. M. Ruggles, and resolved to lay the reso- lution taxing liquor-sellers $250 on the table. The tax this year was 2 of 1 per cent. Charles McKinzie was appointed marshal at $30 a month on November 23. The inhabitants now petitioned that measures be taken against " haunts of vice," which was adopted by the council by the votes of Ocobock, M. R. Stephens and Bell, against those of Ruggles and Hood.
1879.
The annual election, 176 present, resulted in the choice of H. E. Staples by 135 to 41 for J. W. Ocobock as president; G. J. Moog became recorder by 124 to 49 for B. F. Reed; M. B. Covell is unanimously made treasurer; the trustees were C. C. Thompson, J. Sholander, R. W. Norris, F. W. Nufer and A. Mears; J. A. Wheel- er, health officer. An offer to build an iron bridge to Montague for $2,640 was received, and accepted. There was on hand May 1st, $927 91; to be collected from saloons, $1,725; the taxable property of $190,000 at 2 of 1 per cent would bring $1,425; there was re- quired for engine-house bond, $1126 93; for bridge, $1500; for salaries, $720. On October 11 it was resolved to permit the Phila- delphia Numbering Co. to number the village, and 134 signs at 15 cents each were purchased from Mr. Cheney, having the names of streets upon them.
1880.
The fire company petition for 50 cents an hour while engaged in quelling fires, but the petition was laid on the table. A racy mo- tion offered by C. C. Thompson to abate steam-whistles was voted down. The motion asserted that time spent in whistling by the eight mills in the village when combined made three hours a day! The marshal was instructed to spend one whole day lying in wait for those who drove too rapidly over Mears avenue bridge. The council, before leaving office, were in a particularly thankful mood as they passed votes of thanks to the president and recorder, and to "the people for their kindness."
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The annual election, 183 voters present, resulted as follows: For president, A. Mears by 67 votes, H. E. Staples 55, I. M. Wes- ton 48, P. I. Hedges 13. For recorder, Fred Norman 97 to 54 for C. P. Nearpass and 35 for B. F. Reed. For treasurer, M. B. Covell 111 votes, C. E. Covell 44, E. M. Ruggles 27. For trustees, H. E. Staples, R. W. Norris, W. F. Nufer, W. Flinn, O. T. Oleson.
1881.
A. Mears elected president by 110 to 60 for H. E. Staples; F. Norman, recorder; M. B. Covell, treasurer; J. A. Sholander, G. J. Moog, A. Carleton, J. W. Ocobock and E. D. Thompson, trustees.
1882.
At the last village election on May 1, there were two tickets in the field headed respectively Prohibition and Temperance, and In- dustrial. The former ticket prevailed by about 217 to 115 votes. The officers elect are: A. T. Linderman, President; F. Norman, Recorder; M. B. Covell, Treasurer (by unanimous vote); Trustees, W. A. Phelps, L. Richards, C. I. Peterson and John Bell. Many ladies took a deep interest in the election, furnishing refreshments of a temperance character.
LUMBER PROSPECTS FOR 1882.
The great business of Whitehall and Montague, and in fact all around White Lake, is lumbering, of which we have given statistics under the heading, " Lumbering," in the general history of the coun- ty. As for this season the prospects were never so bright; there is no strike, nor is there likely to be, and Captain Dalton, the oldest lumberman on the Lake, states the White River log crop for this year will be over 140,000,000 feet, of which 86,000,000 feet are on the River. There are fully 15,000,000 feet of old logs left over which, with the amount expected, would make 155,000,000 feet.
LAWYERS.
The lawyers of Whitehall have been first Duane Thompson, in 1865; W. H. Parks, from 1864 to 1872; poor Henry Slater, 1870, a gifted and popular man, who was unfortunately drowned at Muskegon in the fall of 1881; next D. G. Scroggs, 1868; A. C. Elsworth, 1871; P. I. Hedges, at one time postmaster, and first telegraph operator, removed to Danville, N. Y., in 1882; then came H. L. Delano, now of Muskegon; R. L. Rice, 1875; D. C. Huff- man, 1877; Loraine Ashman, 1880; and Mr. Edwin I. Smith (Smith & Cook) Muskegon Co.
DOCTORS.
The first doctor was J. A. Wheeler, 1865, removed to Grand Rapids in 1881; Dr. C. Mizner, now of North Muskegon, 1865; A. W. Squier, 1866; W. L. Montane, 1866; J. Mckinnon (died in Whitehall), Drs. Marvin, Gaylor, Johnson, Carr, Wooldridge, Cooper.
BRICKYARD.
It is surprising, considering the large amount of clay that can be found in the vicinity of Whitehall, and the good prices offered for bricks, that none have attempted to establish a yard until the spring of 1882, when E. M. Ruggles and John Vanderheyden have taken up the business in Whitehall on the bank of the river, hav- ing had to purchase a number of houses and lots to get the clay. They are putting in machinery capable of turning out 100,000 bricks a day, but will not make more than 30,000 at first.
The practical man of the firm is JOHN VANDERHEYDEN, who has had sixteen years' experience in the business, in Detroit, Chicago, and for the last nine years as foreman for Brown & Clark, making 10,000,000 bricks annually, having often 130 men under his con- trol. He is originally from Ann Arbor.
R. W. Norris is just laying the foundation of a new brick block 20x80, two stories and basement, on Colby St., next to the European
House. A. Mears proposes to build a fine block, corner of Mears Avenue and Colby St.
There is just being completed at Whitehall a neat new railway station, not far from that which was burned in August, 1881. The building was urgently required. Mr. Charles Otis is the present station agent.
TAXES.
The rate for a number of years past has not varied far from four per cent on the assessed value, which would be probably about two per cent on the asking price of property. In 1881 the rate, on account of the increase in State and school taxes, was about five per cent on the assessed value, but as in three years the school bonds now out amounting to $7,500 will be paid off, the rate for school taxes will not exceed one per cent. This will allow village improvements to go on without adding to the burdens of the people.
GREAT FIRE OF 1881.
Like all wooden built and lumbering towns, Whitehall, which had hitherto escaped a great fire, had its day of wrath on the night of Saturday, 30th of July. About 2 p. m., the night watchman at Linderman's shingle mill observed flames in the direction of Stur- tevant's livery stable and promptly sounded the alarm. Quickly the citizens with terror dumb, rallied to the conflict, with all the force at their command. The Montague boys with Charley Dodge at their head, soon put in an appearance and for eleven hours fought the fire. They took the side near the lake, being stationed back of Slocum's block, and did good service in checking the fire in a block of old buildings at the foot of Colby St. They secured and richly deserved a vote of thanks for their efforts. The Whitehall engine was stationed at Staples & Covell's mill dock, under the leadership of Chief H. E. Staples, assisted by Engineer F. A. Hinman: The fire burned fiercely away all the wooden buildings on both sides of Colby St., including Slocum's brick block up to Covell's brick block on the north, and Baker's brick drug store on the south, a space of about five acres in the heart of the village being completely swept out of existence. The loss was $150,000, the insurance about $54,000, which being mainly in the hands of H. D. Johnston, insurance agent, was, as usual, rapidly and satisfactorily adjusted. The origin of the fire is a mystery; it was thought to have com- menced in Sturtevant's livery or in Hinman & McElroy's furniture store. But the fire was first seen in the rear of Wynne's variety store in the same block. Sturtevant's loss was very heavy as he was not insured, and he lost eleven fine horses, besides many car- riages, &c., out of the best equipped livery stable in the county. The furniture store, Wynne's variety store, M. B. Covell's large store, the meat market, Slocum's block, with Phelan's clothing. store, Johnston's office, and the Mears House were lost. The flames consumed the wooded railway tunnel across Colby Street and down Thompson Street, and attacked the Foster's block, the busiest hive of industry in town, forming a lofty pyramid of fire. In this block were K. F. Morse's hardware store, the post office, with Hon. C. C, Thompson's real estate office, and we may mention that by his vigilance everything was saved belonging to the post of- fice. In the same block were Riley's barber shop, Ruggles' drug store, Phelan's clothing store, a vacant store and restaurant. In the second store were Elsworth's law office, that of Squire Reed, Cunningham's dental rooms, Dr. Adams' office, and the apartments of the Foster family; on the third story was the opera hall. The next to succumb was Mr. Tripp's house, and Covell's barn, and Klett's harness shop. In the meantime destruction was proceeding on the west side, and also the south, consuming the Cosmopolitan Hotel, B. O'Connell's two buildings, L. Bratz's clothing store, Sea- bold's boot and shoe building, M. Bragenham's saloon, Hanson's
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- grocery, Johnson livery, M. Bjornstad's saloon, N. F. Strong's photograph gallery, Lovell's restaurant, over which Mr. Strong resided; Castenholtz & Co's. meat market, also Dickerson's wagon shop. The Boom Co's. tug P. Dalton did good service. The next night the railroad depot was burned, which was one thing which Whitehall could spare, as it was the worst looking depot in the world. The company have since used the old shed near the former depot, which is some degrees worse than the one which was burned.
THE SCANDINAVIANS.
The Swedish and Norwegian element here is a large and im- portant one, many of these nationalities being employed in the mills and tannery and other places of business, some being also em- ployed as saloon keepers, hotel keepers and store keepers. One beautifully situated portion of Whitehall is settled up with Scandi- navians; with their neatly kept grounds, tidy houses, and pretty streets, the whole has an appearance of thrift and industry like "Auburn, loveliest village of the plain."
The first person of any note that appeared in Whitehall was Mr. Charles Johnson who came about 1866 and did much toward bring- ing out his fellow countrymen, and settling them in what is known as "Swedentown," or on the maps as Johnson's Addition to White- hall. Mr. Malcolm Youngren came next, and now there are per- haps 700 Swedes, including children; some are well doing farmers in the vicinity. As they are a religious people and generally Evangel- ical Lutherans, meetings were early held, and Mr. Roden, since "Rev." first preached, then Rev. Mr. Ericson was leader and then Rev. O. Chilleen, still pastor, who in 1877 caused a neat church, Lebanon church as it was called, to be erected, with a spire and belfry and steeple, building 60x34 and 20 feet high; seating capac- ity 600, gallery 100. The congregations are large and there is a Sunday school of 40 pupils, and 200 communicants in the church. Rev. O. Chilleen was born in Sweden in 1841, emigrated in 1870. and came here in 1877.
The Swedes seem generally an intelligent, industrious and hon- est race, and as many of them came here with some means, they form a good element in the community, where labor is so scarce and so highly paid, and where a man soon secures an independence. Mr. John Hanson, now deceased, was even before Charles Johnson, and his children are claimed to be the first white children born here. This is claimed for his son Charles, of Claybanks, as he is now 31 years old. In 1868, Charles Johnson, now diseased, commenced to sell his lots.
The Norwegians are older settlers than the Swedes, and have a church of their own, but at present no resident minister. They are building a parsonage, and expect to call the Rev. Mr. Amble. As it is contrary to the rules of the Swedish Churches for their members to join secret societies, the Scandinavian Benevolent Soci- ety is chiefly Norwegian.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was an old log building, now removed, near where Mears' storehouse now is, which was used for church and election purposes as well. The first school taught in White- hall was a private school by Miss Polly Allen in the house of Dan- iel Basom, and continued three months with six or eight pupils. This was in 1860. Next year school district No. 1 of Mears was organized with J. D. Sturtevant, director; Moses Hall, moderator, and C. C. Thompson, assessor, and the first school after organiza- tion was taught by Phoebe Clark, afterwards Mrs. Moses Hall. A
school house was built in 1862. About 1866 Mrs. Scott taught one term.
In the fall of 1867 a second school house, the "Brown School" was built near the first, with one room seating 50 pupils, now Skeel's bakery. In the fall and winter of 1867, W. D. Southworth taught, and E. W. Hall in the spring of 1868. In the fall of 1868 A. C. Elsworth was employed as principal and taught in the new building and Mrs. Scott taught in the old or "white" building, and at the close of the term the enrollment in the primary school was 90, and in the high school 75 pupils, and another school was started and the three schools continued for three terms. In the summer of 1869 the "Brown School" was raised and made two stories. Mr .. Elsworth continued the next year with Miss Jennie Yerkes in charge of the intermediate and Mrs. L. B. Elsworth in charge of the primary. The first time the school was graded was in 1870, into Primary, Grammar and High School, which has continued with but few changes to the present. During the winter term of this year the School Board were compelled to start a fourth school with Miss Ellen Dyer (now Mrs. Dr. Marvin) in charge. In the summer of 1870 the old "white" school house was raised and also made two stories, providing another school room for fifty pupils. In the school year of 1870-71 there was four departments, with Mr. Elsworth again as principal; Miss Yerkes, Intermediate; Mrs. Elsworth, 2nd Primary; Miss Alice Wilder, 1st Primary. The year 1871-72 P. H. Dowling was principal, Mrs. Hattie Hubbard, Inter- mediate, and the next three years G. L. Miner was principal and the last of the three another room was added to the "Brown" build- ing and five departments made. At the close of the fall term in 1875 Mr. Miner resigned and Mr. A. C. Martin succeeded him for the balance of the school year, and in the fall of 1876 Prof. Slayton commenced his duties as principal.
THE CENTRAL SCHOOL.
The visitor inspecting the school cannot but be impressed with the spirit of order and neatness that pervades every department, being evidently inspired by a good headmaster, assisted by an effi- cient staff. The pupils seem to take pride in their school, try to move as orderly as possible and to keep off all marks from the walls. Prof. Slayton is very conscientious and painstaking, and possesses mechanical genius in a high degree. He has an excellent collection for a museum in the school.
Owing to a recent fire which damaged some of the rooms the Board received for insurance over $2,000, and part of this has been judiciously expended in purchasing steel engravings and oil paintings of a high order, from New York, which adorn the walls in all the rooms, giving them an elegant appearance. Some of the paintings are pastoral and marine pieces and others are valuable his- torical paintings. They are inserted in heavy gilt frames, and some cover fifteen square feet of surface.
The staff of teachers is as follows: Prof. A. W. Slayton, Su- perintendent; Miss A. E. Ring, teacher of the Grammar depart- ment, with about 40 pupils. She is now in the 4th year of her engagement at Whitehall. The 2nd Intermediate department is conducted by Miss Stella Rorrison, a normal school graduate, now in her 2nd year, with 55 pupils on the roll. The 1st Intermediate is under the care of Miss Carrie Calkins also in her 2nd year; the 2nd Primary teacher is Miss Carrie Baxter, and the 1st Primary teacher is Miss Pauline McPherson with 90 on the roll of pupils. In this interesting room there is a complete Kindergarten.
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