USA > Michigan > Ottawa County > History of Ottawa County, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 15
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6
HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
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gan. Here, a leading characteristic of "the new settler", soon devel- oped itself, in causing the wilderness around him "to blossom as the rose. The facilities for effecting improvements on the free burr oak openings, enabled him to bring large tracts of land under cultivation, and to become, in a few years, the heaviest producer of both agricultural and horticultural products in the State. Enter- prise and liberality are elements certain of recognition in new settle- ments. In the second year of his residence in the territory Mr. Gidley was elected a member of the convention to form a State con- stitution. In the convention he was brought into intimate rela- tions with many of the prominent men of that day, destined to be- come still more so at a later day in the administration of State af- fairs. Mr. Gidley was elected a member of the first legislature un- der the new constitution, and subsequently held a seat in either house through some fifteen or more sessions, as shown by the rec- ords, quite overtopping the legislative roll of the State, and, here in this connection we would state the fact that he was never known to use his influence, directly or indirectly, in any degree, to secure his nomination for any office. In the Scott Presidential election Mr. G. was made one of the five Presidential electors. In the guber- natorial election of '52, he found himself a candidate against his in- timate personal friend of the constitutional convention, Robert Mc- Clelland, but declining to contribute a large amount to a fund which he feared would be applied to illegitimate purposes, he was not elected. Mr. Gidley, quite tired of public office and in declining health, positively refused all further tender of office. Again thinking that a change of residence might be of advantage to his health, in the Spring of 1868 he purchased and settled on unimproved lands next adjoining the city of Grand Haven. With his reputation as a fruit grower, and, with the ability to effect large improvements, his advent on the lake shore, gave an impetus to the business that came to be felt quite throughout "the old fruit belt" of western Michigan. In our day, in calling on Mr. Gidley, at his own coun- try home, we are glad to find him, though a man of many years, comparatively hale and hearty, making the most through the bleak. season of the year of home and fireside; a well stored library and tables loaded with the current literature of the day-quite longing for the genial airs of "the summer time" to call him to his wonted work of caring for his ten thousand fruit trees, nearly all of which are in bearing condition.
JOHANNES GOUDBERG, fruit grower in Section 27, was born in Holland in 1821, and came to Grand Haven in 1853, working first for a few months at White's and at Norton's mills. In November of the same year he went to Indiana, returning in July of the following
year, working again at Norton's mill, settling in December 1854 on his present farm, which he has made very productive by his constant labor on it. He married in 1853 Miss Betta Speelman and has had five children, two of whom survive.
JOHN GOUDBERG. fruit grower, was born in Holland in 1829, and emigrated in 1854, working first at Norton's mill for several months, and settling the same year on Section 27, Grand Haven township. He married in 1868 Miss Clara Felt, and has one child, born April 18, 1874. He has an excellent fruit farm and is a hard worker.
G. R. HARRIS, fruit grower on Section 34, was born in Erie Co., Pa., in 1839. When but fourteen years of age he left home and made his own way in the world; going to Wisconsin, which he left for Allegan County in 1866, being there engaged in fruit growing. He. married in 1868 Miss Emma Morse, born 1844 in Chittenden County Vt. In 1861 Mr. Harris fought for his country in a Wiscon- sin regiment, under Col. Mansfield and Captain Hill. In 1871 he settled on his present fine fruit farm.
ABRAHAM MASTENBROEK was born in the Kingdom of Holland in the year 1833, and emigrated to America, arriving at Philadel- phia on the first of May, 1853, where he remained three months, and then came to this State, working first for Mr. Campau, the In- dian trader, and then for Galen Eastman eleven years. He then came on Section 12 on the 1st of May, 1878. He married in 1860 Nellie Vanderman, and has three sons and one daughter.
PETER SMITH was born in 1835 in Holstein, near Denmark, and in 1854 came to this country, settling in New Orleans, but in 1873 came to Ottawa County. In 1855 he married Miss Anna Katie Ahrens, who was born in Hanover in 1832. They have but one daughter, Ida Emma, born 1865. Mr. Smith is engaged in piloting at New Orleans, while his wife manages the fine fruit farm, which she wishes to dispose of.
LEVI TRACY, of Section 34, was born in 1809 in Randolph, Orange County, Vt., and in 1852 went to Wisconsin working as a carpenter and wagon maker. He had studied law in Vermont, and had satisfactorily performed the duties of Justice of the Peace for many years. In 1867 he settled on his present"place, on Section 34, on Peach Plains. Squire Tracy has also served the township in the capacity of school commissioner, ever seeking to promote the cause of education. In May, 1840, he married Miss Ann Ford, a native of the town of Brookfield, and they have had three children, two of whom survive: a son, born March 4, 1841; a daughter, born Jan. 20, 1848. The son who died was named Orum, who was born Oct. 17, 1855, and died Feb. 6, 1872, aged seventeen years.
SPRING LAKE TOWNSHIP.
This town is of very irregular shape in the south and west, being bounded on the south by the Grand River, which winds to the Lake by a slow and tortuous course, generally northwesterly, spreading into wide bayous which extend quite across the township to the north- east. On the west is Lake Michigan, the shore line trending to the northwest. The town may be described as the north part of Town 7 and 8 north, of Range 16, west. On the east the boundary line from north to south is fully six miles, on the west the same boundary line is only about half that distance.
Spring Lake is a beautiful sheet of water extending back from the river for six miles to the northeast, away into Fruitport Town- ship, with the main arm to the east reaching up to Fruitport village, and a smaller arm to the west into Stahl's Bay, where good clay for brick making may be found. A little below Fruitport on the bayou are the Spring Lake Iron Works, fully described elsewhere. About the middle of the lake, extending to the east about a mile, is Ham- mond's Bayou, which is crossed by a bridge about the middle. Smith's Bayou extends into Section 9, from Spring Lake a short dis- tance northeast of Ferrysburg; and Lloyd's Bayou, about two miles long, is west of Spring Lake village. The shore line of Spring Lake and its bayous is about twenty-five miles, and the township has a larger water surface than any other in the county, but has not much more than half as much taxable land as the next smallest township, and considerably less than one-third as much as Holland or Olive townships.
ORGANIZATION.
The town was early organized as a part of old Norton Town- ship, and was set apart as a separate municipality in 1849, the name of Norton being exchanged for Spring Lake, owing to some petty feeling against Col. Amos Norton, who was a pioneer and one of the most active men of his time. Jabez Barber, from Canada, was an early pioneer and lumberman, and it was a blow to the village of Mill Point (afterwards Spring Lake) when he was drowned in com- ing from England on the ill-fated steamer Pacific in 1854,
The first meeting of the electors for organization was at the school house near Barber's Mill (since consumed by fire), April, 2, 1849. Le Moyne S. Smith, moderator; Augustus Stahl and W. M. Ferry, Jr., inspectors, and J. Vincent Hopkins, clerk. 29 voters were present. S. C. Hopkins had 24 for Supervisor, J. H. Davison, 3, and Amos Norton 1 vote. M. L. Hopkins was elected Clerk, L. M. S. Smith, treasurer; Justices of the Peace, G. G. Lovell, G. S. Miller, and Jedediah Brown; W. M. Ferry, Jr., and P. P. Cady, Directors of Poor. $100 was voted for township expenses. At the election in 1850 there were but twelve voters present, who all voted for W. M. Ferry as Supervisor, M. L. Hopkins, Clerk, and L. M. S. Smith, Treasurer.
J. V. Hopkins was Supervisor in 1851, forty-six voters present. In 1852, eighty-one were present, Amos Norton, Supervisor; A. S.
Norton, Clerk. Next year, but sixteen turned out to election, and G. L. Norton was made Supervisor.
On June 20, 1853, a special election was held to determine the question of liquor prohibition, and forty.two votes were in favor of prohibition, one was against, and two ballots marked " free trade and saylers' writes."
The following have been the rest of the Supervisors in the years marked after their names: Wm. M. Ferry, Jr., 1854-9-1860- 61; G. G. Lovell, 1855-6; George Redfield, 1857; J. V. Hopkins, 1858-'66; U. B. Eames, 1862-3-4-5; A. C. Adsit, 1867-8-9-70-71-2- 3; J. B. Perham, 1872; D. R. Waters, 1875; Hunter Savidge, 1876; Aloys Bilz, 1877-8; H. W. Pearson, 1879; C. M. Kay, 1880-1. The present officers are (1881-2): C. M. Kay, Supervisor; C. A. Pearson, Clerk; H. Beckwith, Treasurer; E. J. Pruim, Highway Commissioner; Dr. W. S. Walkley, School Inspector; James F. Zwemer, Supt. of Schools.
The fruit interests of this town are perhaps the most extensive in the county, but a few winters ago the peach trees were nearly all killed off, which was a severe blow. In 1874 there were about 700 acres devoted to the various kinds of fruit. In 1872 and 1873 the value of the fruit product averaged over $20,000. To show how uncertain the peach crop is, Mr. Martin Walsh informed us that in its third year a ten-acre plat netted $3,000, and the next year the trees were all killed. Mr. Walsh, who has also an extensive dry goods and grocery store, is the most prominent fruit grower in the town, having forty acres in apple, peach and pear, and three acres in vineyard.
Mr. Martin Walsh, in speaking of the soil of the township, says that sufficient attention has not been given to its agricultural capa- bilities; but what little has been done shows it to be excellent for wheat and grass. He plows, and puts in a subduing crop of oats, and then lets in the cattle. After stumping, he summer fallows to wheat, sowing on two bushels of salt to the acre, and reaps thirty bushels to the acre, and has had splendid grass crops year after year. Off less than three acres in 1881, he took two ton to the acre.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
DAVID G. ALSTON, fruit grower in Section Twenty, was born at Glasgow, Scotland, in 1841, came to Wisconsin in 1848, thence to his present farm in 1869. He married Dec. 20, 1853, Miss Mar garet Campbell, and has four children: James, born Sept. 18, 1854; Daniel Campbell, Nov. 1, 1855; Margaret, May 20, 1859 (died in 1863); Margaret, May 12, 1865; Christina, June 10, 1869.
B. F. EAMES, fruit grower in Section Nine, was born in Men- don, Monroe County, N. Y., Nov. 21, 1816, and came to Milwau. kee in October, 1844. In Dec. 5, 1849, he entered into copartnership
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GEORGET
P.SAVI
SPRING LAKE HOUSE, SPR
. SPRING LAKE, MICH.
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HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
with John W. Luscomb in the manufacture of wooden ware. De- siring a location in a lumbering region with the advantages of trans- portation, they tried first Grand Rapids, but failing to secure the power they desired, they made arrangements with Mr. Ferry to drive their machinery at Ferrysburg, then called Ottawa Point, for five years from April 10, 1850. Mr. Luscomb withdrawing, Mr. Eames continued the business alone, and in 1856 erected a large building with steam power. In 1861 he sold to Messrs. Willard & Bolles, and next year bought twenty-three acres of land across the bayou from Spring Lake Village, now owned by W. C. Baker. Mr. Eames embarked in the fruit business, planting 1,000 peach trees, 600 apple, and also other fruit. In 1867 he sold to Charles E. Soule, and bought thirty acres in Section Nine, which he also cultivated as a fruit farm.
FRANCES M. FINCH, daughter of Coryden E. and Eliza Hinckley, was born in Fairfield, Huron County, Ohio, in 1851. In 1856 she removed with her parents to Hope, Barry County, Mich., and thence to Kalamazoo County. In 1871 she was united in matrimony to Norman S. Finch, who was born April 26, 1850.
CALVIN HOLCOMB was born in Orleans County, N. Y., in 1819, and came to Lapeer City, Mich., serving three years in a drug store under Dr. Vincent, of Chicago. He enlisted in the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, under Col. Wm. Ennis, Captain Par- melee. After he left the army his chief work was engineering. He married in Detroit, in 1854, Miss E. S. Perkins, and has had three sons.
H. G. SMITH, farmer on Section 16, was born in Steubenville, Jefferson County, O., in 1815, coming to Spring Lake in 1847, working for Jabez Barber at his mill for two years, after that set- tling on his present farm. In 1842 he married Lucinda J. Sisco, who was born in Cleveland, in 1825. They have had four children, two of whom survive. Mr. Smith is one of the very oldest pioneers of Spring Lake.
SPRING LAKE VILLAGE.
Spring Lake, a very thriving and prosperous village, with many beautiful residences in it, and unrivaled for its beautiful aquatic scenery, was first platted as Mill Point in 1849, by T. W. White and S. C. Hopkins. In two years its population reached 371, but in the next seven years it gained only eighteen in population. But the rise of the fruit interest after this gave it an impetus, as in 1874 half of the improved land was devoted to that object. Lumber- ing also, although not very profitable, had also considerable to do . with its development. As early as 1874 it had nine saw mills in its limits, and some of these, the largest on the river; and also two planing mills and a sash and door factory. The village was incor- porated in 1869, the people choosing the following named gentle- men for their officers: President, H. A. Hopkins; Trustees-Al- len C. Adsit, John H. Newcomb and Martin Vischer; Recorder, H. W. Cleveland; Street Commissioner, Stephen Woolley; Marshal, Frank Lilley; Treasurer, L. O. Perham.
Within its corporate limits, which are almost bounded by Grand River and Spring Lake, are six large saw mills, some of which are of immense structure and capacity, one large planing mill, one wash-board factory, three hotels, one of which, the Spring Lake House, owing to the large and well conducted facilities for bathing, the curable qualities of the water, the pleasure of fishing and other sources of amusement, its beautiful grounds and excellent accom- modations, has become famous as a Summer resort.
It has also three large general stores, two hardware, six grocery, three millinery, three boot and shoe shops, two drug stores, one
jewelry and one tailor shop. Also one flour and feed store, one good livery stable, one blacksmith shop, one wagon shop and a bar- ber shop, three doctors, five churches namely, Methodist, Presby- terian, Baptist, Dutch Reformed and Catholic. A splendid and well attended graded school, two fire engines and a company second to none in the State. In a word, this village is supplied with every- thing required by a well regulated incorporated town.
Its resources are lumber, fruit and farm products, all of which are made valuable by easy access by water or rail to all consuming markets in the neighboring States. Sail vessels and steamboats are daily landing and leaving its docks. On the whole, this is as clean and handsome a village as the State can boast of with a population of 1,500.
Its present officers are: President-T. D. Denison; Treas- urer-Otto De Wit; Trustees-John Koster, Alex. Wood, Martin Walsh; Recorder-C. M. Kay; Marshal-M. M. McLean; Street Commissioner-Enno Pruim.
The village is delightfully situated on a peninsula or tongue of land south of Spring Lake and north of an arm or bayou of Grand River. It is narrower from north to south, and the D., G. H. & M. Railway runs from east to west across the north of the village, with a station at the west end of the village, whence it runs across the narrow inlet of Spring Lake into Ferrysburg. The chief busi- ness street with fine residences at the east end is State Street, one block south of which is Exchange Street, and Liberty Street running one block north and parallel to State. The original plat was in the west to School Street, which was the section line; then comes Bar- ber's Addition, then Bryant's Addition and various small additions to the southeast.
THE HOPKINS FAMILY.
The Hopkins family had considerable to do in the early settle- ment of the village, but they have all passed away except the young- est brother, Mordecai L., who is still in Grand Rapids. The widow of Hannibal A., a former Representative of the county, still resides in the village, and her daughter teaches in the public school. She has treasured up some relics of the celebrated Col. Ethan Allen, among which is the sword and scabbard with which that hero, "in the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress," demanded the surrender of Fortress Ticonderoga on May 10th, 1775. This sword is an old-fashioned affair, 27 inches in length, figured with flower-work, and with a handle of bone or ivory 7 inches long. The scabbard is not the original one, but a fac-simile of the one that was consumed in the burning of the Spring Lake Masonic Lodge, in which was the Tyler's weapon. The sword was saved, but the scabbard was burned, and the Brethren took pains to reproduce an exact copy. It has a silver band on which is inscribed, "Ethan Allen, 1775." Ethan died in 1789, and his eldest son, Col. Hanni- bal Allen, died in 1813, leaving a widow, "Aunty Allen," recently deceased, and who lived many years in Spring Lake, being con- nected by marriage with the Hopkins family.
The Hopkins family were Silas the eldest, then John V., Han- nibal A., Franklin and Mordecai, who were all engaged in the lum- bering and mercantile business. They built the Hopkins mill, afterwards purchased by Montague, Savidge & Cutler.
About fourteen years ago the mill site proper and other adjoin- ing property were sold to the Spring Lake Mineral Company, who built a splendid hotel, cottages, bath houses, etc., which ultimately fell into the hands of the late Hunter Savidge.
Captain Benjamin Hopkins went from Tompkins County, N. Y., in 1831, to Canada, which he left during the troublous times of the rebellion in 1837, settling in Eastmanville with his four sons and three daughters.
Hannibal A. was the third son, born September 5th, 1821, and
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HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
died July 1st 1871. He was president of the village from its or- ganization to his death, and was actively engaged in agricultural and lumbering operations. He was the originator of the project which resulted in the discovery of mineral springs. He was a man highly respected, and his death was regarded as a loss to the com- munity.
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church at Spring Lake was organized by Rev. H. Lucas, a missionary of the American Home Missionary Society, and the Rev. W. M. Ferry, of Grand Haven, on February 12th, 1853. There were five members when it was organized- George G. Lovell, L. M. S. Smith, Anna H. Smith, Miss Lydia Norton and Harriet J. Franklin. G. G. Lovell and L. M. S. Smith were elected ruling elders.
The Rev. H. Lucas supplied the church for a year after its organization, followed by Rev. Henry Redfield, one year.
The Rev. Joseph Anderson was afterwards minister, he at the same time serving the church at Grand Haven. He was succeeded by Dr. A. P. Eddy, who commenced his labors in May, 1858; he also laboring at Grand Haven. He continued until some time in 1866, and was succeeded, as stated supply, by the Rev. Joseph Lud, who served the church for three years. He was succeeded by Rev. A. G. Bebie, who stayed something less than two years.
The Rev. W. H. Blair commenced in July, 1872. The Rev. T. Towler is the present pastor, and is now in his second year. The first church edifice was destroyed by fire. The present building was dedicated January 26th, 1874. The cost was about $10,000.
From a feeble beginning it has gone on until it takes respectable rank among the churches in the valley, and its fine edifice is an honor to its enterprise. The missionary who first collected the lit- tle band went to his rest in 1876. Spring Lake is not the only place that cherishes his memory.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
Before the organization of any class there had been occasional preaching. In 1862 a small class of twelve or fifteen was gathered by Elder Wm. Colby, some of the members of which were Daniel B. Thorpe, Mrs. H. A. Hopkins, Mrs. T. D. Denison, Mrs. Wm. Flanders, Mrs. Wm. Britton and Loren O. Perham.
Services were held for two years in the schoolhouse, with a slow increase of numbers.
The Presbyterian and Methodist societies bought a partly-built church of the Hollanders; finished and jointly occupied it. That house was so used five years, when it was burned down. During this time there was some increase. The Methodists bought the ground of the Union Church, and directly commenced to rebuild, and were three or four years in completing it. It was dedicated in 1872. At this time the membership was about sixty. The size of the church is 88x60 feet, with basement; cost, $7,500. The par- sonage, built during the same time, cost $1,200.
W. M. Colby, David Engle, James Roberts, Jantes Cowan, J. R. A. Wrightman, James W. Reid and Levi Master were early pas- tors. The present pastor is Rev. J. Roberts. The church has been harmonious and generally prosperous.
The Baptists have no settled pastor, but have Sunday School; C. M. Kay, Supt .; Catholic, Rev. M. Dalton, of Berlin, officiates; First Dutch Reformed, J. F. Zwemer, pastor; Children of Zion have no church edifice, but have service in private houses, Rev. Mr. Northrop, of Grand Rapids, officiating; Christian Dutch Reformed have about eighty families, and are about to build.
SOCIETIES.
The societies are Hope Lodge, No. 226, I. O. O. F., with W.
G. Sinclair, N. G .; Robert Shearer, Sec'y, which meets on Wednes- day evenings.
Spring Lake Lodge, No. 234, F. and A. M., has the following officers: Enno J. Pruim, W. M .; H. C. Taft, S. W .; J. Volmer, J. W .; F. C. Bury, Sec'y; George Seagrove, Treas .; S. S. Rideout, S. D .; S. Volmer, J, D. The Lodge meets Monday on or before full moon.
Harmony Council Fraternal Protectors meets last Friday of each month, and the Chief Protector is J. B. Perham, and C. M. Kay is Secretary.
The Women's Christian Temperance Union meets every Tues- day afternoon, and the Spring Lake Temperance Union was insti- tuted January 26th, 1882, with James Emory, President and E. D. Frink as Secretary, to fight against the three saloons in the village.
HOTELS.
SPRING LAKE HOUSE. ยท
To the traveling public and the tourist in search of health and pleasure, a well appointed hotel is a great attraction, and such they will find in the above excellently appointed hotel, now in charge of Mr. John Mc Vicar for the fifth year. The popularity of the house is proved by its being visited by the same people year after year. A double-page view of the house in this work will give the reader some idea of its elegant appearance. It has seventy-four rooms in the main building and thirty rooms in adjoining cottages, and visi- tors are attracted from all quarters. From St. Louis last summer there were over seventy, and also numbers from New Orleans.
The discovery of a spring of magnetic water in 1870 led to the erection of this large hotel by a company, which ultimately became the property of the late Hunter Savidge, and is now owned by Mrs. Savidge, who desires to dispose of the property, which would be an excellent investment for one "who knows how to run a hotel."
A comparison of the water with the most favorably known mineral waters in the United States, such as the Pavilion and Excel- sior at Saratoga, and the noted spring at Gettysburg, Penna., proves that it has the greatest total of solid mineral matter of either, and is most heavily impregnated with valuable substances. It is in growing demand from all parts of the country. The cures it has effected have given it a national reputation.
The virtues of the water are such as have secured it the high- est encomiums of physicians and others who have used it, possess- ing, as it does, in a marked degree, cathartic, alterative and tonic qualities.
The hotel erected at this spring, with cottages attached, affords first-class accommodations for 250 guests. The parlors, dining room and chambers are all superbly furnished. A bowling alley and billiard room afford amusement and healthful exercise. Broad verandas around two sides of the building afford a cool and pleasant promenade and resting place from which the view takes in one of the loveliest lake scenes ever pictured. The lawn surrounding this palatial hotel is beautified with fountains, flowers and trees, and is directly upon the lake shore.
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