USA > Michigan > Ottawa County > History of Ottawa County, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 11
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THE GRAND HAVEN WAGON WORKS,
on the corner of 3rd and Elliott streets, is a brick structure, 40x100, employing seven men. Mr. Hoffmeister attends to the woodwork, Mr. Tennes to the iron work. The works turn out sixty new wagons annually, and were founded in 1872 by A. Hubert.
There are two photograph galleries in the city, at which first- class work is done, so that there is no necessity for going abroad for Photographing. The oldest is that of Mr. Cresswell. The latest comer is Mr. E. P. Baker, who came to the city from Ypsilanti, in June, 1880, purchased the gallery of J. T. Wixson, over the postoffice, which had been opened in 1877. He does work in India ink and water colors, and all kinds of enlarging.
THE SHIPPING INTERESTS.
The amount of work that has been done upon the ship yards during 1881 shows the steady advancement of ship-building in- terests. There have been about $200,000 expended upon the Me- chanics' Dry Dock company's yards during the year in building and repairing. The steam barge H. C. Akeley; one of the very largest ships on the lakes, was built upon these yards at a cost of $110,000. A number of fine craft have been turned off at Duncan Rob-
MAGNETIC MINERAL SPRINGS, OPPOSITE CUTLER HOUSE.
CUTLER HOUSE, GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN.
49
HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
ertson's yards during the year, and $47,500 has been expended in building and repairing during 1881.
ROBERTSON & CO.'S SHIPYARD
is on a triangular spot of four acres on the south branch of Grand River, and is a busy and thriving institution. It was commenced in the fall of 1867, and there has been launched there among others the "City of Grand Rapids," a propellor 136 ft. long, 26 ft. beam, and 10} ft. hold; propellor "S. C. Hall," 160 ft. long, 30 ft. beam, 11} ft. hold. In 1881 there was launched from the yard a steam barge, 152 ft. long, 28 ft. beam, capacity, 400,000 ft. of lumber, or 22,000 bushels of wheat; also steam yachts for Eastmanville, Spring Lake, etc. The yard keeps from 35 to 70 men busy. The yard is owned by four Scotchmen, three of whom work in the yard, and the fourth is a capitalist.
DUNCAN ROBERTSON, born in Menteith, Scotland, 1838; came to Grand Haven in 1867,
PAUL McCOLL, born in Dumbarton, Scotland, 1841, came in 1867 to Grand Haven; was first wood-worker and then iron- worker.
PETER SINCLAIR, born in Argyleshire, Scotland, 1842, came to Grand Haven in 1870, and returned to Scotland during '76-'80, after 'which he took an interest in the shipyard.
CAFT. JOHN BUDGE, born in the Orkney Islands, 1841, came out to meet his brother on a farm in Canada, but preferred the lakes, sailing until 1872, when he invested in the shipyard, and also in lumbering. His office is in Howlett's Block.
THE MECHANICS' DRY DOCK AND SHIPYARD
was established in 1867 by Thos. W. Kirby & Co., and the "Co." are John W. Calister and John Neil. It is on the south bank of the main river, on made land. In 1881 the steam barge "H. C. Akeley," 230 ft. keel, 35 ft. beam, and 21 ft. hold, with a carrying capacity of 1500 tons of iron ore, or 50,000 bushels of grain, was launched from this yard. The yard has done a large business. They have a four-box dry docks, capable of raising 300-ton vessels.
JOHN NEIL, born in Essex County, Ontario, 1835, came to De- troit in 1853, and learned shipbuilding; came to Grand Haven in '67; he married Bridget Alice Walsh, of Grand Haven, and has two sons and two daughters.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK,
organized August, 1871, being the successor to the old firm of Ferry & Son, private bankers. The first officers were E. P. Ferry, president; D. Cutler, vice-president; George Stickney, cashier. The other directors were Stephen Munroe, T. S. White, S. H. Boyce, Hunter Savidge, and H. C. Akeley. Capital, $100,000, at the end of the year increased to $200,000; and has always paid a dividend of 5 per cent, paying out in dividends in the first ten years over a quar- ter of a million dollars. It has been in Cutler's Block since 1872. Mr. Stickney has been cashier since its inception. Dwight Cutler, Esq. is president. Its present capital, is $200,000; undivided profits, $65,000. Officers for 1882 are; D. Cutler, president; Robert Howlett, vice-president; cashier, George Stickney. Directors: E. P. Ferry, Stephen Munroe, Chas. E. Wyman, N. R. Howlett, D. Cutler, B. Howlett, T. S. White, H. W. Buswell, George Stickney.
GRAND HAVEN HARBOR.
There has been expended on this considerable sums of money by the U. S. Government, which recognizes the value and importance of this harbor to the lake navigators.
The original estimate for the harbor (1866) amounted to $299,011.70.
There has been appropriated :
1852
$20,000
1866
65,000
1869
1,866
1870
10,000
1871
6,000
1872
15,000
1873
75,000
1874
50,000
1881
60,000
Transferred in 1870
1,885
$304,751
From records in the U. S. Engineer's office, it appears that there is now a better depth of water than there has been during any open winter for seven years.
There is a channel, two hundred feet wide, opening to the west and northwest, with water twenty feet deep most of the way across, when, as the edge of the bar is reached, the water shoals to fifteen feet for one sounding. In front, west and northwest of this chan- nel, is water ranging from sixteen to eighteen feet, and then deep- ening to deep soundings.
THE CUTLER HOUSE.
This elegant and spacious hotel is one of the finest and most popular in the State, and is the conspicuous object on entering the city, which has done more than anything else to build up the repu- tation of Grand Haven as a summer resort. It was erected with great public spirit by one of the self-made men of the city, the Hon. Dwight Cutler, in 1872, at a cost, including furniture, of $200,000, is elegantly provided, and is first class in every respect. A litho- graphic view will be found in this work, and from it the reader may judge of the beauty and the dimensions of the hotel. It is provided with all modern improvements, steam passenger elevator, hot and cold water, etc., and has an elegant hall beautifully frescoed and well arranged for lectures, dances, and public entertainments. Mr. Joseph Spires is the efficient manager, and Mr. James Armstead the oblig- ing head clerk. In this connection we give a brief sketch of
THE HON. DWIGHT. CUTLER,
Lumber Manufacturer and Capitalist, who was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, November 14, 1830, and was a son of Dr. Isaac G. and Nancy (Hastings) Cutler. Dr. Cutler was one of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of his day; and, as a matter of course, had an extensive practice that continued until his death, which occurred when the subject of this sketch was only four years of age. Mr. Hastings, his grandfather, was one of the first settlers in Amherst. Mr. Cutler was educated in Williston Seminary, East- hampton, Massachusetts, receiving a special course of-instruction. When about eighteen years of age he removed to Grand Haven, Michigan, and went into the employ of Gilbert & Co., forwarding and commission merchants. After remaining in that capacity three years, he commenced business for himself by buying out his employ- ers' store and forwarding business, which he carried on for six years with success. During this period he purchased a number of vessels, both sail and steam, which were used in connection with his busi- ness. In 1860 Mr. Cutler commenced the lumber manufacturing business with Mr. Hunter Savidge, of Spring Lake,-a village two miles distant from Grand Haven, - buying a saw-mill known as the Old Hopkins mill. Since then they have bought one mill, built an- other, and formed a stock company with $500,000, paid up capital. It is the largest lumber manufacturing firm in Western Michigan. They have handled upward of 50,000,000 feet of lumber in one sea-
Y
50
HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
son, but average about 40,000,000 annually. They have a large wholesale lumber yard in Michigan City, Indiana. They ship their lumber to almost all parts of the United States, while their mills give employment to over two hundred men most of the year. They own extensive tracts of pine land, tributary to the Grand River. In 1872 Mr. Cutler erected the largest and finest hotel building in the State of Michigan, It stands on Washington street, in Grand Haven; is an ornament to the city, and is known abroad as a Grand Haven summer resort. It was named from himself, being called the Cutler House; and cost, including furniture, $200,000. The archi- tecture of the building is beautiful, defying criticism; and the inner appointments are excellent. In 1870-71, Mr. Cutler was elected Mayor of the city, and has filled the office of school trustee for nearly twenty years. He never aspired, however, to the honors of public position, having declined to accept any of the State or National offices his friends proffered him. In politics he is independent. voting for those whom he considers the best men. His religious views are embodied in the belief of the Unitarian Church, of which he is a member. He was married February 10, 1858, to Miss Frances E. Slayton, of Stowe, Vermont. A family of five children have been born to them,-one son and four daughters. Mr. Cutler is a gentleman respected and appreciated by all who know him. He is possessed of excellent judgment, irreproachable moral character, and fine business qualifications. During his first year in Michigan he worked for $50 and his board. He commenced business on an inconsiderable capital; and when, in 1860, he and Mr. Savidge en- gaged in the lumber trade, their early experience qualified them for the success which attends their large and constantly increasing busi- ness. Mr. Cutler is now 51 years of age, and in the full enjoyment of health. For over thirty years he has been a help towards building up the material interests of Grand Haven, and it is to be hoped that his life may long be spared to still further promote the prosperity of the city.
THE ANDRES HOUSE,
at the foot of Franklin Street, near the river, is kept by Ernest Andres, of Grand Haven, who is one of the veteran hotel keepers in Western Michigan. He is a native of Germany, and came to Michi- gan in 1852. In 1857 he came to Grand Haven from Port Huron, and for a time after coming here was clerk in the store of Clark B. Albee. In 1858 he opened a bakery and restaurant, and the same year built a hotel on the west side of the river, called the Milwaukee House. This house was burned in 1860. Afterwards he built and sold two hotels, and about 1867 built a grist mill and operated it for a time. In 1874 he built the Andres House which he still continues to keep. Mr. Andres has held various local offices, and was alder- man for four consecutive terms.
THE NATIONAL HOUSE
is kept by M. C. Carpenter, who was born in Ireland, and while an infant his parents came to this country and settled in Buffalo. In 1855 he came to Ottawa County. For several years he kept a board- ing house and operated a farm at Nunica Junction. In the spring of 1881 he removed to Grand Haven, where he has since kept the National House.
OTTAWA HOUSE.
This hotel, which has a frontage of 54 feet on First Street and 50 feet on Fulton Street, was built in 1868 by the proprietor, M. Pellegrom, and after renting for a time, has been for the last eight years kept by the proprietor. It is especially adapted for a boarding house, with a large office and twenty bedrooms. M. Pellegrom was born in the Netherlands and came to Grand Haven in 1855; com- ing poor and two dollars in debt, but has done very well financially. He was married in 1849 to Jantje Van Weeldaen, and has had eleven
children, of whom six survive; Henry, Baldus, Katrina, Alleberta, Hermina, Ella and Gerty.
TELEPHONING.
In the Spring of 1881 Thomas A. Parish, connected with the Ottawa Iron Works, and having experience of the benefits in tele- phoning in the East, wrote to the Telephone and Telegraph Con- struction Company as to the advisability of supplying the city and vicinity with instruments. The result was that the Company pressed Mr. Parish to undertake the work, which he has done with great en- ergy and success, so that now connections are made with Grand Rapids, via Lamont, and with Muskegon, Whitehall, Montague, etc. and it is expected that Cooperville and other points will soon be in connection.
THE MICHIGAN BARGE COMPANY
is quite an important institution, and for a number of years has per- formed an important part in the development of the city. The present officers are: Senator Ferry, President and Superintendent; D. Cutler, Vice-President; H. Bigelow, Secretary; Andrew Thom- son, Treasurer; John Furlong, Sailing Master. In March, 1882, Senator Ferry purchased for $80,000 the interest of the late vice- president, T. W. Kirby, and D. Cutler was elected in his stead.
PLANING MILL.
Among the new industries of the city is the planing mill of J. J. Cilley and M. H. Creager. These gentlemen having formed a copartnership early in the Spring of 1881, erected a building near the C. & W. M. depot at Grand Haven. Early in the Fall of the same year the business was started with a force of about twelve men. The management of the concern is in the hands of Mr. Cilley, who is an energetic and thorough business man. He was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., but has resided in Ottawa County since 1855.
CITY MILLS.
One of the great institutions of the city is the City Mills, now owned by the Forrest Bros. In 1879 George Forrest came to Grand Haven and purchased the City Mills for the firm of Forrest Bros., and since that time has remained here to operate the mill. The mill has been greatly improved and its capacity increased since coming into the hands of Forrest Bros., and is now doing a large and successful business.
George Forrest is a native of Canada, and a member of the firm of Forrest Bros., who are extensive millers, having several mills in different parts of the country.
The engineer of the mill is O. Vanderhoef, who is a native of Ohio, where he lived until the breaking out of the war. In 1862 he enlisted, and went into the army with the 124th Ohio Infantry. He was wounded at Chickamauga, and was in hospital at Nashville. In 1865 he received his discharge, and came to Grand Haven, where he still lives, and in the employ of Forrest Bros. as engineer of their flouring mill.
HOUSE BUILDERS.
Among those who have helped to build up the city is the vet- eran builder and contractor, Michael Wilson, who was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y., in 1826, and at an early age learned the car- penter trade. After working at his trade in New York State for a time, he came to Grand Haven in 1866, and engaged in business as contractor and builder. Some of the finest buildings in the county have been planned and built by Mr. Wilson. Among the promi- nent buildings built by him are the Cutler House, Odd Fellows' block, Congregational Church at Grand Haven, and many very elegant private residence's.
MOOZEN & GLERUM, builders, have also done their share, and have been in business since 1878, and there are already many fine
51
HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
structures that have been built by them. Mr. Moozen is a native of Kalamazoo, Mich., and has been in Grand Haven since 1878. Mr. C. Glerum is a native of Holland, and came to Grand Haven in 1866.
CHARLES JOHNSON is a native of New York, where he was born in 1835. He served in the war from 1862 to 1863. In 1854 he was married at Richmond, Mich., to Madaline H. Bernard. Five chil- dren have been born to them, two of whom are dead. In 1871 he removed with his family from New Baltimore, Mich., to Holland Township, where they still reside. For several years Mr. Johnson has been in the business of contracting and building.
JOHN H. THORNTON is a native of Geneva, N. Y. In 1861 he en- listed at Geneva as a member of the 33d New York Infantry. In 1863 he was discharged, and immediately re-enlisted in the 4th New York Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner, and was an inmate of Salisbury Prison for nine months. In 1866 he came to Grand Haven, and since 1870 has followed the trade of carpenter and builder.
LIVERY.
There are two fine livery and sale stables in the city. That in connection with the Cutler House is in rear of the Holland Church, and is a splendid structure, amply equipped for a first-class business. The proprietor of the stock, Mr. E. C. Burrs, is a native of Ver- mont, who came to Grand Haven in 1878, and took charge of the Cutler House Livery in 1875, and in 1881 purchased the stock, and has since operated it for himself.
The oldest livery is that of HENRY SPRIK, on Second Street near Washington, which was commenced about 1862 with an old buck board and one horse. Now it has thirty-six horses, twelve single and four double buggies. Mr. Sprik does a large business in buying and selling horses, of which he is an excellent judge. He came to the city in 1856.
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY.
The office is in rear of Vanderveen's drug store, and the agent is Mr. HENRY LILLEY, who has been in the employ of the American Express Company since 1865, and in charge of the office at Grand Haven since 1872. He is a native of England, and came to this country with his parents when he was a child.
THE OLDEST CLOTHING HOUSE
is that of ISAAC H. SANFORD, who was born at Elmira, N. Y., in 1837, came to Grand Haven in 1858, and is carrying on the business started by his father twenty-four years ago. He has been Alderman for many years, City Marshal, Chief of Fire Brigade, etc. Married, in 1874, Mary D. Osgood, of Grand Haven. His residence is on Franklin Street. Mr. Sanford is one of the most active and pub- lic-spirited citizens.
THE MAYOR.
Major B. D. SAFFORD was born in Wayne County, Mich., in 1837, and lived there on his father's farm until 1862, when he en- listed in the 17th Michigan Infantry, Co. E., the company being raised at the Normal School, Ypsilanti, and the regiment was in the Ninth Army Corps, under Burnside, and was in all that general's engagements. Mr. Safford was captured at Spottsylvania, but escaped by cutting a hole in the side of the car and jumping off while in motion, rejoining his corps on the 19th of May, traveling from Danville to Charleston, W. Va. At the close of the war he was discharged, and settled in Grand Haven. He enlisted as a private and rose to a captaincy, and has since been appointed Brevet Major of U. S. Volunteers.
He was for three years principal of the High School, after
which he formed a partnership in the dry goods business with Mr. Beaudry in 1871, but since 1879 has been in business for himself. He carries a full line of goods, and does a fine trade, his stock vary- ing from $6,000 to $10,000. He was elected first Alderman of the First Ward in 1867, and in 1881 was re-elected, Mayor for the third time. He married, in 1868, Miss Jones, of Grand Haven, by whom he has one son, James, born April 24, 1869. In 1874 his wife died of heart disease, while playing the organ in church at evening service. He married again in 1878, Miss Duncan, formerly a teacher in Grand Haven, by whom he has two children.
THE CITY RECORDER,
C. T. Pagelson, who was born in Denmark in 1880, came to New York in 1848, having spent his life on the sea before; was elected recorder in 1867; Consul for Michigan for Scandinavia and appointed by Charles XV; is also agent for all leading steamboat lines, ex-officio Secretary of Board of Health; has been sixteen years Justice of the Peace, and has tried over 1,200 criminal cases.
GRAND RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
Heavy vessels can come up to Eastmanville, but there is a heavy sand bar at Lamont and another below Eastmanville. There has been appropriated by the U. S. Government $10,000 for river improvement, and it is intended to drive in spiles and clear the channel, which will be a decided gain to navigation.
SOME OF THE PIONEERS. THE FERRY FAMILY.
This family being the pioneer family of the county, and having been largely identified with the development of the county, we feel are entitled to more than a passing notice. We have already in the history of Grand Haven given a brief sketch of the founder of the family, the Rev. W. M. Ferry. The various members of the fami- ly are first:
COL. W. M. FERRY, JR,
born July 8, 1824, who is now at Park City, Utah, where he is en- gaged in the development of mines. He differs from the rest of the family politically in being a Democrat, has been Supervisor of Spring Lake, developed Ferrysburg, been largely engaged in lum- bering, and in the Ottawa Iron Works. He was Mayor of Grand Haven in the Centennial year, and his ability as a speaker may be judged from his address on that occasion, which we have been happy to publish in our history of Ottawa County. He is a very popular gentleman and very unassuming, his conversation is replete with in- teresting anecdotes, and abounds in humor. We are happy to learn that he is meeting with great success in mining. He is associated in Utah with his youngest brother,
EDWARD PAYSON FERRY,
who was born at Grand Haven April 16, 1857, his twin sister being Mary Lucina, now Mrs. Galen Eastman. Mr. E. P. Ferry has been actively engaged in lumbering, and is now engaged in mining with his eldest brother. He is highly respected by all who have the honor of his acquaintance. He recently had the misfortune to lose his wife through a runaway team, at Park City, while he nar- rowly escaped with his life. The two remaining sons are the dis- tinguished Senator Ferry and Major Noah H. Ferry, instantly killed at Gettysburgh while gallantly leading his regiment.
SENATOR FERRY.
The Hon. Thomas White Ferry, of Grand Haven, U. S. Senator and from 1875 to March 4, 1877, President of the United States Senate and acting Vice-President of the United States, was born at Mackinac, June 1, 1826 was but six years old when he re-
52
HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
moved with his parents to the wild home at Grand Haven, to expe- rience the hardships and adversities of pioneer life. He received a common school education and was bred to business pursuits. With the exception of two years spent as a clerk in a store in Illinois, he re- mained a co-laborer with his father until the latter's death in 1867. In partnership with his brother, E. P. Ferry, he has since continued the lumber business, which, under his general management, has been prosecuted with energy and success. He early manifested an interest in public matters; and, at the age of twenty-one years, was chosen County Clerk of Ottawa County. Two years later, in 1850, he was elected a Representative to the Michigan Legislature to serve a term of two years. In 1856 he was elected State Senator for two years. For eight years he was an active member of the Republican State Committee. He was a delegate at large, and one of the Vice- Presidents of the National Republican Convention at Chicago in 1860, which nominated Abraham Lincoln. In 1863 he was ap- pointed Commissioner for Michigan of the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburgh. In 1864 he was elected a Representa- tive to the Thirty-ninth Congress, and was re-elected, successively, to the Fortieth, Forty-first and Forty-second Congresses, serving on some of the most important committees. In January 1871, after an exciting contest, he was elected United States Senator for a term of six years. He consequently surrendered his place in the House of Representatives of the Forty-second Congress, and took his seat in the Senate March 4, 1871. His services of six years in the House, and the legislative experience there obtained, were recog- nized when he entered the Senate. He was chosen Chairman of the Committee on the Revision of Rules; afterwards, was repeatedly elected President pro tempore of the Senate; and, by virtue of this office, upon the death of Vice-President Wilson, became acting Vice- President of the United States. He was President of the joint meeting of the two Houses of Congress during the intensely excit- ing count of the electoral votes, resulting in the choice of President Hayes and Vice-President Wheeler. In this position he acquitted himself with such impartiality and ability that he was re-elected March 4, 1877, by a unanimous vote, President pro tempore of the Senate. In January, 1877, he was re-elected United States Sena- tor to serve for the term of six years. In early life he acted with the Whigs, but joined the Republican party as soon as it was or- ganized, and at once became a zealous advocate of its principles. In every Presidential campaign since 1860, he has canvassed the State in behalf of the Republican candidate. As a public speaker, his power lies in his earnest language, concise statements, and sound logic, without any attempt at eloquence or oratorical display. His course in Congress has met with the general approbation of the people of all parties in Michigan. He has done much to advance the in- terests of his native state. To his efforts Michigan is greatly in- debted for the generous river and harbor improvements which have so materially aided in developing her resources, and in preserving the lives and property of her citizens. It was through his influence, also, that the beautiful Island of Mackinac, or as much of it as be- longs to the United States, has been converted into a National Park. He has also labored zealously in the cause of the soldiers and sailors of Michigan, who participated in the late civil war. His speeches on finance have been widely read and are highly valued. He has done much to perfect the postal system; and his work on the Com- mittee on Post-offices and Post-roads has elicited the highest praise from the press throughout the country. The present rules of the United States Senate, adopted by that body under his revision and report are a standing tribute to his ability as a parliamentarian. To promote the general welfare has been the aim of his Congres- sional life. An indefatigable worker, courteous and upright, his career reflects honor alike upon his State and Country.
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