USA > Michigan > Ottawa County > History of Ottawa County, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 13
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
Prof. A. W. Taylor, of the County Board of Education, is a pioneer teacher of Ottawa County, having come to Grand Haven in 1853. He was County Superintendent in 1867-8-9, principal of Spring Lake school in 1870. He is held in grateful remembrance by his old pupils. He is now a resident of Nunica.
Z. G. WINSOR, wholesale dealer in coal, salt, cement, &c., and agent for Chicago and Grand River line of steamers, was born in Skaneateles, N. Y., in 1814, in 1822 removed to Syracuse, in 1833 was one of the first settlers in Ionia and Grand Rapids, taking up land. He came down the river as clerk for the Indian trader, Rix Robinson, the Ferry family arriving next season. In 1836 joined Capt. Nancy, of Kalamazoo, in a land agency, in 1851 he went to California for three years, from 1855 to 1860 took charge of Grand River steamers, in 1865 he operated at Petrolia, and in 1868 he es- tablished his present extensive business. Mr. Winsor is still hale and active, and may be found at his post every day.
HENRY JOHN BOLT was born in the province of Gelderland, Hol- land, in 1823, came to Grand Haven July 5, 1847, working first in Hopkins' saw mill. Mr. Bolt has held the office of coroner and the street commissionership for twelve years. He now resides in his fine residence on Washington Avenue, in the city of Grand Haven. He married May 9, 1852, Miss Cornelia Elfers, who was born 1828, coming from Overissel, Holland, in 1848. The family consists of eight children, six living: Hannah, born July 10, 1853; Alice, April. 26, 1855; Jennie, June 23, 1857; Henry, Aug. 27, 1859; (died 17 months old) Hattie, June 27, 1862; Cornelia, Jan. 13, 1865, (died six months old); Henry J., Oct. 22, 1866; Albert, May 29, 1871.
R. W. BOYNTON is a native of Maine and first came to Michigan in 1844. His early life was spent at work, and acquiring an educa- tion at the district school and from such books as he was able to gain access to. He came to Michigan during the early days and was an active participant in the pioneer experiences of that time. He was familiar with the first paths and Indian trails of western
G
56
HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
Michigan, and is well acquainted with the progress and develop- ment of all that part of the State. After roughing it in the State for a few years he turned his attention to law, and was admitted to practice in 1859, and is therefore one of the veterans at the bar. In 1868 he came to Grand Haven from Essex, and has since lived here and de- voted himself to his profession.
L. M. S. SMITH, ex-postmaster of Grand Haven, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., Feb. 8, 1808, remaining there until man. hood, studying for the Presbyterian ministry, in which service he spent his best days, until his lungs failed. He was the pioneer Presbyterian missionary of Ionia County in 1837, and came to Ot- tawa in 1848, to carry on mercantile business at Millpoint (now Spring Lake); came to Grand Haven to carry on the newspaper bus- iness, which he did from 1862 to 1872, was post-master for over four years, going out of office in 1881, and was assistant assessor for many years. Mr. Smith is a gentleman most highly respected by all the community.
JOHN W. BARNS, born in Vermont, 1824, came with his twin brother James to Grand Rapids when twelve years of age, and they both were apprentices in the office of the Grand River Times, the paper published in that region by G. W. Paterson. After serving three years, he with his brother served four years at the carpenter's trade, and came to Spring Lake in 1846, working on the brig En. terprise. In July, 1851, commenced the Grand River Times with his brother and Mr. Angell, and also published the News subse- quently, but was twice burned out. He sold the Times to Galen East- man, who published it at Eastmanville for a year or two. After disposing of the News he purchased a ten acre fruit lot on which he still resides; has been alderman for Fourth Ward for many years, also on school board, town clerk, treasurer, supervisor, and in near- ly every office except mayor. Married in 1856 R. C. Breau and has three sons and an equal number of daughters.
Among the honored dead we may mention the late
GEORGE PARKS,
one of Grand Haven's oldest settlers and foremost citizens, who was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., Oct. 17, 1817, and was the son of Capt. Robert Parks, of 158th Regiment of the war of 1812. He moved with his parents to Michigan in 1823, coming to Buffalo by team, as it was before the Erie "ditch" was opened, and to Detroit by sailing vessel, locating in the wilderness of Oakland County, where he cleared a large farm, on which George worked hard except when he went to district school and six months to Pontiac Academy. In January, 1840, he married Permelia, daughter of Deacon Wat- tles, of Binghampton, N. Y., by whom he has three children, Byron W., born in 1844; George B., in 1852; Fanny, 1858. After a short experience on a farm in '43 he moved to the village of Ionia, and was landlord of the "Cottage," and in '44 he removed to Grand Haven, then a small village; with the growth and prosperity of which he has been closely identified, and at the time of his death with the exception of the Ferrys, was the oldest settler in that city. In 1864, in connection with E. W. Barnes, he entered into the for- warding business and with Capt. Ganoe in the Grand Haven and Grand Rapids steamboat line. In 1865 and 1866 he and Mr. Blair entered into forwarding, and in 1867 he and his son Byron entered into the sash and door business. In 1852 he was elected County Treasurer, and re-elected for four terms; and when Grand Haven was incorporated in 1867 was elected its first mayor. He was justice of the peace for many years to the time of his death from pneumo- nia in Dec. 1880, when his lengthy funeral cortege and the attend- ance of his brother Masons and Odd Fellows, of which orders he was a prominent and respected member, attested the high opinion entertained of him by his neighbors. He was emphatically an hon-
est man, a man of common sense, a man whose kindly heart made it impossible that he could leave an enemy behind. He held many public trusts, always satisfactorily, was a Past Grand Master of the Odd Fellows, a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, and a Knight Templar of the same order.
STEPHEN L. LOWING, Lawyer, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., in 1817, came to Ottawa in 1836, locating in Georgetown, and took a leading part in developing that township, being Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, and, in fact, holding nearly every township office in succession; was a farmer, lumberman and merchant, and when the war broke out he and all his men rushed to the front in Company I, Third Michigan Infantry, enlisting for three years, and equipping themselves at their own expense for the war; and it was the first full regiment in the field, going into the Army of the Poto- mac, being under Generals Heintzelman, French and Hancock. Mr. L. was wounded in the leg, which determined his career as a lawyer; he came home for a time and was commander at Detroit Barracks. Rejoined his regiment and took part in Locust Grove, Rappahannock, Mine Run and Rapidan. He is still active and vig- orous, and is in partnership with Mr. Cross in law.
R. W. DUNCAN, Lawyer, was born in Vermont in 1834, came to Grand Haven in 1851, and has been Prosecuting Attorney two terms and Circuit Court Commissioner six terms.
GEO. E. HUBBARD, Hardware Merchant, is one of the old and prominent citizens of Grand Haven, and in that city opened the first tin and hardware store in Ottawa County in 1856. His present store is the first three story brick erected in the city. He has been Alderman, Supervisor and Mayor.
HENRY GRIFFIN, now retired, was born in 1807, in Ontario, and came to Eastmanville in 1838, and on being elected Sheriff in 1844, came to Grand Haven. He has also been County Clerk, and carried on the drug business.
H. C. AKELEY is one of Grand Haven's most active and enter- prising citizens, and has been a resident of the county since 1858. Although a lawyer by profession, he has made his money chiefly by lumbering, in which he is extensively engaged, being one of the leading stockholders of the Grand Haven Lumber Company, which is buying up mill after mill. Mr. Akeley has just completed a fine residence on the hill in the vicinity of the Court House. He enlisted in October, 1863, in Second Michigan Cavalry, which was placed in the military division of the Mississippi, serving until the close of the war, and rising from the ranks to the position of Adjutant.
THOMAS STEWART WHITE, of the firm of White & Friant, lum- bermen, was born at Grand Haven June 28, 1840, and is son of Thomas W. and Caroline (Morton) White, natives of New England. In 1859, after leaving school, he entered the banking house of Ferry & Son, where he served as a clerk for three years. Finding the po- sition injured his health, he accepted, in 1863, the position of ship- ping clerk with Gray, Phelps & Co., of Chicago. After two years he re-entered the banking house of Ferry & Son as cashier. In 1867 he formed a partnership with Heber Squier, as Squier & White, as log owners, general contractors, and ship builders. He suggested the idea of a barge line for transporting freight between Chicago and the east shore of Lake Michigan; and founded the firm of Kirby, Fur- long & Co., which established the line of Kirby barges. In 1869 he disposed of his interest in this business, and became associated with Thomas Friant, under the name of White & Friant, as lumbermen and log runners. All logs sawed at the mouth of Grand River passed through their hands and were delivered to the several mills. At the same time Mr. White became connected with J. M. Avery, of Grand Rapids, in a saw mill. This firm was afterwards merged into that of Robinson, Solomon & Co., manufacturers of dressed lumber, etc. Mr. White saw the necessity for a fire department in
57
HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
Grand Haven, and with his accustomed energy started one in 1869, which at the end of two years became second to none in the State in efficiency. On the re-organization of the First National Bank in 1871 he was chosen one of the directors. In 1872 he was elected director of the Wait Manufacturing Co., of which he was afterwards secretary and treasurer. April 20, 1870 he married Miss Mary E. Daniel, of Milwaukee. Mr. White is an unassuming business man with shrewd business talents, and liberal to all public charities.
DERK VYNE is a native of Holland, and came to this country with his parents in 1848. His parents stopped at Holland, Ottawa County, and Derk came to Grand Haven where he found work in the lumber mills. With the industry and prudence that character- ize the 'Hollanders, Mr. Vyne kept steadily at work and managed each year to lay up something from his earnings. In 1858 he pur- chased a team and began draying about the town. His business in- creased as the business of the place grew, and he was obliged to add other teams and wagons from time to time, until for several years he has operated a general city express business, and also keeps a wood and coal yard. Honest and straightforward in all his dealings, and a hard worker, he has managed to accumulate a handsome compe- tency as the fruits of his industry.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
J. W. ACKLEY came to Grand Haven in 1876. Has been saw- filer since 1864, and in his present position as saw-filer at Boyden & Akeley's mill since the spring of 1881. In 1863 Mr. Ackley en- listed in the war at Edgerton, Ohio, and served until discharged in 1864.
J. M. ALBERS, JR., is a native of Holland, and came to Grand Haven in 1854. Since 1867 he has been in business with his father, who is one of the oldest house painters in Grand Haven.
JAMES P. ARMSTEAD, head clerk of Cutler House, was born near - Cleveland, Ohio, in 1855, came to Grand Haven in 1870, attending the high school, and being one year at Grand Rapids Commercial College; was three years south for the Crystal City Glass Works of E. B. Ward, of Detroit, and was six months in post office, came to Cutler House in 1877, married November 3, 1880, Miss Carrie Barnes, niece of Dwight Cutler, who died about the close of 1881, leaving one child. Mr. Armstead is an obliging and efficient officer.
BALL BROTHERS, dealers in dry goods and groceries, Howlett Block, Washington Street, are natives of Grand Haven, their par- ents having moved in thirty-one years ago from the Kingdom of Holland. Ball Bros. commenced business November 1, 1877, and do quite a large business, carrying a $5,000 stock. The statistics of their business given below show steady improvement: In 1878 it was $16,000; in 1879, $25,000; in 1880, $27,028; in 1881, $29,920. They do an exclusively cash trade.
E. BAUGHN is a native of St. Johns, Mich., and came to Grand Haven in 1865, since which time he has been in business as lumber inspector.
CORNELIUS BARNS, book-keeper at Boyden & Akeley's shingle mill, was born in Vermont February 17th, 1830, came to Grand Haven in 1862, and was in that position since May 15th, 1872, until in the spring of 1882 he accepted the position of book-keeper to S. C. Hall, the wealthy lumberman of Muskegon.
E. G. BELL, one of the leading business men of Grand Haven, came here from Menasha, Wis., in July, 1878, as book-keeper for the Wait Manufacturing Company. Soon afterwards the works passed out of the hands of the original owners, and Mr. Bell was put in charge of the business. In the spring of 1881 a new com- pany was formed, of which Mr. Bell was elected president and gen-
eral manager. The company is doing a large and prosperous business in the manufacture of planters, hand rakes, etc. Mr. Bell is a careful and sagacious business man, and is managing the busi- ness affairs of his company with great success.
JAMES A. BRITTON is a native of New York State, and came to Grandville, Mich., in 1838. For several years he operated a mill at Grandville, and in 1868 came to Grand Haven. In the spring of 1879 he took the position of foreman in the Emlaw mill.
A. BROWN is a native of Scotland, and came to this country in 1854. In 1866 he came to Grand Haven from Detroit, and since that time has carried on the business of blacksmithing. In the spring of 1881 his shop was burned, but he immediately rebuilt upon the site of the old one.
JOHN M. H. BROWN was born in New Brunswick in 1847, and came to Grand Haven in 1868. While in New Brunswick he learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed since he came to Grand Haven.
AVERYVILLE T. CAIRNS, of the lumber firm of Wyman & Cairns, was born in Canada, and came to Grand Haven in 1868. Up to 1878 Mr. Cairns was Lumber Inspector, occasionally buying and selling, as favorable opportunities offered. In 1878 the firm of Wy- man & Cairns was formed for the purpose of dealing in logs, lumber and shingles.
JOHN W. CALLISTER came to Grand Haven in 1867. During the war he was in the employ of the Government as ship carpenter, and upon leaving the South in 1867 came to Grand Haven, where he has since lived and followed his trade. For some time he has been foreman of the Kirby Ship Yard, in which he has an interest. Mr. Callister has followed his trade since 1847.
M. H. CREAGER, Collector of Internal Revenue, is an old resi- dent and one of the representative men of Ottawa County. Mr. Creager was born in Geauga County, Ohio, in 1836, and was at one time a student of the late President Garfield. In 1856 he came to Berlin, Ottawa County, where he remained until the breaking out of the war. In 1861 he enlisted as Sergeant of the Second Michigan Infantry. For a time he was a member of Gen. McCook's staff, and held the position of Inspector General. He was at one time de- tailed as Judge Advocate at Edgefield, Tenn. At the close of the war he received his discharge and returned to Chester, Ottawa County, where he engaged in lumbering. In 1871 he was burned out, and engaged at teaching for one year when he was elected County Treas- urer, and removed to Grand Haven, where he has since resided. He held the office of county treasurer until the first of January 1881. Upon leaving that office he engaged in manufacturing, to which he gave his personal attention until in the fall of 1881 he received the appointment of Revenue Collector. Mr. Creager has always been actively interested in public affairs and has been one of the leaders in the politics of the county. He was Secretary of the Republican County Committee in 1866-7, and has been Chairman of the com- mitte since that time. He is exceedingly popular with the people of the county, and his record is that of an excellent soldier and citizen.
J. MORRIS CROSS, lawyer, of Grand Haven, was the son of Jesse and Margaret (Davis) Cross, and was born in Grantham, Sulli- van County, New Hampshire, February 24, 1831. His grandfather was conspicuous in the Revolutionary War. His father was a Bap- tist clergyman, and had six children. He was a man of exceedingly fine personal appearance, and possessed great power and vigor. His ancestry were remarkable for fine physiques, longevity, and buoyancy of spirit. His early education was obtained entirely through his own exertions. He took a thorough literary and theological course of study, and attained proficiency in classical and scientific branches of which he was decidedly fond. When about twenty-two years of age, he read law quite extensively, becoming familiar, in an unusual
58
HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
degree, with the laws of various civilized nations. After completing his studies, he entered upon the work of the ministry. He preached for two years at Fisherville, New Hampshire, a beautiful village on the Contoocook River, which constituted the northern ward of the city of Concord, where he was loved by his people and esteemed by his associates. After about two year's strenuous labor, his health failed, and an hereditary pulmonary disease showed itself, which he succeeded in arresting, however, by physical exercise, including a system of gymnastics. In the fall of 1858, he accepted a call from Presbyterian Church at Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, where his services were highly appreciated. In the spring of 1860 he re- turned to Massachusetts, and was married, April 12, to Lucinda C. Noyes, a lady of culture, who died November 30, 1872. Her death was greatly mourned ; her life had been filled with sunshine and beauty. Mr. Cross was next settled at Findlay, Ohio, over a thriv- ing Presbyterian church. After about four years, feeling that the pressure of the climate was injuring him, he decided to go farther West. Previous to his departure he received a very handsome gold watch, suitably inscribed, from the people of his church, as a token of their love and gratitude. He removed to Grand Haven, Michi- gan, October 6, 1869, where he supplied the pulpit of the Presbyte- rian Church for a time, until failing health compelled him to resign the position. After a season of rest he entered into partnership with Stephen L. Lowing, in the spring of 1872. They have carried on an extensive law business, but are now dissolving. He has repre- sented the Presbytery on several occasions at the General Assembly, and has taken an active part in all religious progress. He has never solicited official position, and has held no offices except those con- nected with the educational interests of the country. He is a man of excellent social qualities, having an inexhaustible supply of hu- morous anecdotes and a flow of wit. He is remarkable for his indomitable will, and is an exemplary and honored citizen.
E. P. CUMINGS, Dentist, Grand Haven, is a native of New Hampshire, and came to Grand Haven in 1861. He first began the practice of dentistry in 1868, and was the first dentist to locate in Grand Haven. He has practised here continuously since 1868, and does a very large and prosperous business. Dr. Cumings is in every sense a progressive man who keeps pace with the march of im- provement, and takes pride in the quality of excellence in all that he does.
B. F. CURTISS is a native of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In 1844 he was admitted to the bar and practice of law in Trumbull County, Ohio. In May 1865 he came to Grand Haven, and was prosecuting attorney of the county during 1866-67. For one year after coming here he was associated with Wm. H. Parks, now of Holland, in the practice of law, but at the end of the year the firm was dissolved and Mr. Curtiss has done business alone since that time.
JOSEPH DOUGLASS, JR., is a native of Vermont, and for a num- ber of years followed railroading in the East. In 1880 he came to Grand Haven, and since that time has been in the employ of Brouwer & Vos, as engineer at their mill.
F. H. DowD, carpenter and builder, is a native of Wayne County, New York, and came to Michigan in 1857. Before leaving New York he learned the carpenter trade which he followed at South Haven. He remained there until 1871 when he removed to Grand Haven, where he still resides.
JOHN DONKER, saloon keeper, born December 6, 1812, in Hol- land, came with his family to Grand Haven in 1854. He has five sons and two daughters; his last son was born July 7, 1877.
H. N. ELKINGTON is a native of London, England, and came to this country in 1861, and has been a resident of Grand Haven since 1865, For nine years prior to 1879 he was in the employ of the Goodrich Transportation Company, and in 1875 took his present
position of cashier and book-keeper for the Stearns Manufacturing Company at Grand Haven.
A. J. EMLAW came to Muskegon in 1849 and for several years was engaged in mill building. Afterwards he went into the lum- ber business at Muskegon, and continued there until 1856 when he came to Grand Haven. In 1877 the Grand Haven Lumber Com- pany, of which Mr. Emlaw is a member, bought the mill, now known as the Emlaw mill, and enlarged it in 1880 to a capacity of one hundred thousand feet a day. Mr. Emlaw gives his time and attention to the affairs of this mill. He is one of the pioneer lum- bermen of Michigan, and as a citizen is always ready to lend a help- ing hand to whatever will promote the public good.
ISAAC EMLAW was born in Franklin County, N. Y., in 1825. In 1844 he came to Grand Haven and engaged at work in lumber mills. In 1862 he enlisted at Grand Rapids as a member of the 10th Michigan Cavalry, and served until the close of the war in 1865. Since 1877 he has been connected with the Emlaw mill at Grand Haven. Mr. Emlaw is one of the pioneers of Grand Haven and a veteran in mill service.
ROBERT FINCH, superintendent for Squier & White, contractors, was born in England, 1841, came in 1848 to Spring Lake. In 1856 he learned printing in the Grand River Times office. In 1863 en- listed in Company B, 1st Michigan sharp shooters, received a severe wound carrying off his right eye, May 26, 1864, and was discharged in November following. He married 1869 Frances L. Albee, of Holland City, and has four children.
WM. J. GLEASON, foreman of freight slieds, D., G. H. & M. R. R., has resided in Grand Haven since 1869, coming from Detroit where he was born in 1846. Married in 1869 Johanna Hayes, and has four children-residence First street.
F. GRIFFITH, of No. 72, Washington St., Grand Haven, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1851, when seven years of age went to Canada, his father, J. M. Griffith, being general agent for agricultural implements. About fifteen years ago he came to this State and has been in business for himself about ten years. He married November 15, 1877, Miss Dell Page, who was born in Ionia County, Michigan, Nov. 15, 1857. They have one child, Myrtie A., born Aug. 20, 1878.
GEORGE HANCOCK was born in Devonshire, England, in 1816, and came to Steuben County, N. Y., in 1849, remaining there six- teen years, when he came to Spring Lake and purchased a sawmill, operating it for three years, after which he went into wagon mak- ing. In 1878 he commenced gardening in Grand Haven. In 1844 he married Miss Joan Howard, of his native shire, by whom he has had seven children, three of whom survive.
F. W. HARRIS, saw filer at Boyden & Akeley's mill at Grand Haven, has been at work in the mill since 1873, and at milling since 1869. He came to Grand Haven soon after the war, was a soldier in the 21st Michigan Infantry from 1863 to 1865.
GEORGE W. HEWITT, saw filer at Boyden & Akeley's mill has been in that position since the Spring of 1881, and has been at work in the mill since 1879. He has been at work in lumber mills for twenty years.
EDWARD HOLSTELL and RICHARD BOTTJE constitute the firm of Bottje & Holstell, in the meat business at Grand Haven. Edward Holstell, son of Peter Holstell, is a native of Grand Haven. His father is a native of Holland, and came to Grand Haven in 1848. Richard Bottje, son of Antoine Bottje, is also a native of Grand Haven. His father came to this place from Holland in 1853. The firm of Bottje & Holstell dates from the Spring of 1880.
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.