History of Ottawa County, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 24

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H. R. Page
Number of Pages: 164


USA > Michigan > Ottawa County > History of Ottawa County, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 24


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


James A. was married Sept. 16, 1876. to Miss Amelia Cramer, born in Madison Co., N. Y., May 31, 1848.


Florence E. was married Sept. 1, 1878, to Chas. A. Odell,


GARDNER AVERY was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Feb. 17, 1844. Thrown upon his own resources at the age of 10, he labored in dif- ferent occupations until 1862 when he enlisted in Company B. 157th New York Volunteers, rank, Sergeant. Served one year in the army of the Potomac, when he was transferred to the army of the South, and remained until the close of the war. He was married May


3, 1866, to Helen Kern, who was born in Madison County, N. Y., Nov. 2, 1842, when he settled in Jamestown, Ottawa County, on section 12, but now resides on section 17, of which township he is now serving his third term as Supervisor. He has six children whose names are: Irvette E., Aggie V., Clara J., Blanche A., Arden and Earle.


CHARLES H. RICHARDSON was born in Lenawee Co., Mich., Feb. 28, 1838, settled in Jamestown in 1847, and resides on section 21, being a farmer. Enlisted in Company F, 15th Mich. Infantry, in 1865. He married, Feb. 24, 1860, Mrs. Mary E. Bowen, whose maiden name was Stevens, who was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., March 22, 1833, and settled in St. Joseph Co., Mich., in 1838. He has two children, Minerva Bowen and Cora E. Richardson.


GEORGE A. BROWN was born in Greece, Monroe Co., N. Y., Dec. 16, 1845. At the age of majority settled in Grand Haven, Mich., engaged as engineer, and remained with different parties until 1877, when he settled in Jamestown, on section 10, where he now resides. He married Nov. 23, 1865, Sophia Hoffkoutz, who was born in Prussia, near Dantsie, Nov. 4, 1856. He has two children, Joseph K and Mary L. His father, Joseph T. Brown, originally purchased the entire half of section 10, and settled on it in 1857, where he lived until his death, Jan. 1, 1861.


THADDEUS SKEELS was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., July 21, 1815, settled in Jamestown on section 16, in 1851. Has been town- ship clerk about ten years, and postmaster eight years. He married Aug. 27, 1840, Mary Arnold, who was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., March 20, 1820. He has one living child, Richard. His oldest son William enlisted in 1863 and died April 15, 1865, from disease con- tracted in the service.


JOHN N. WAITE was born in Summit Co., Ohio, Sept. 10, 1840, settled in Macomb Co., Mich., in 1854, and in Georgetown, Ottawa Co., in 1856. He engaged in general busines until June 10, 1861, when he enlisted in Company I., 3rd Mich. Infantry. Served in the army of the Potomac until Sept. 27, 1872, when he was discharged for disability. In 1870 he engaged in the mercantile business at Hanley, a hamlet in Jamestown, where he still transacts business. Has been postmaster and Justice of the Peace. He married Dec. 14, 1862, Jennie L. Johnson, who was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., June 1, 1846. He has five children, Eva R., Louis R., John J., Carrie L. and Glenn H.


THERON C. WHIPPLE was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1852, settled in Kent Co., Mich., in 1855, and in Jamestown, Ottawa Co., in 1865, follows farming and coal burning, and resides on section 1. His father, Inman, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Sept. 9, 1816, died May 27, 1871, and married Harriet N. Olds, March 15, 1840, who was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 27, 1822.


S. L. GITCHEL was born in Erie Co. Pa., Feb. 11, 1811. While very young he became an orphan and engaged in general farm work until July 1846, when he settled in Jamestown, Ottawa Co., Mich., being the second settler in the township, also built the second house in the township, on section 1. He now resides on section 33, and spends his time mostly in his farm employments. He has en- joyed the confidence of his townsmen to a large extent, having been Supervisor four times, Justice, Commissioner, etc., was also the first to receive the appointment of Postmaster, which was in 1857. He married Dec. 19, 1833, Louisa C. Brown, who was born in Wind- ham Co., Conn., May 5, 1818. He has six living children and lost four by death. One son, David M., enlisted in Company I., 3rd Mich., Infantry, May 1861, and died July 12th following from dis- ease contracted in the service. Another son, Geo. W., who remains at home, was born May 13, 1857, married Sept. 23, 1879, to Paulina L. Hall, who was born in Kent Co. Mich., Nov. 19, 1856.


JAN TIESINGA was born in the Netherlands Aug. 9. 1844, settled


0


Very good


97


HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.


in Holland, Mich., in 1868, and in Jamestown April 1869. Followed farming until 1873, when he established a general store at Forest Grove, where he still does business, also is the Postmaster there. He married March 20, 1868, to Maggie Feenboer, who was born in the Netherlands Feb. 25, 1849, and settled in Ottawa Co., in 1868. Her father, Wilhelm, was born Oct. 20, 1823, and died Sept. 21, 1874. Her mother, Jantje (Clooster), was born June 16, 1825, is still living.


LAMBERT LUTEN was born in the Netherlands, Oct. 5, 1837, settled in Holland, Mich,, in 1847, thence to Grand Rapids in 1848. Enlisted Sept. 12, 1861, in Company B. 1st Mich. Engineers and Mechanics, being a mason by trade. He served in the department of the Cumberland until the close of the war, was with Sherman on his march to the sea, etc. He married May 6, 1866, Minnie Ha- gens, who was born in the Netherlands Jan. 11, 1844. The same year of their marriage they settled in Jamestown, on section 10, where he now resides. He has five children: Betell, Daniel B., Grace C., John H., Alice J.


RILEY STANDISH, was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., Nov. 16, 1834, settled in Jamestown in 1852, now lives on section 15, a farmer. Enlisted Sept. 4, 1861, in the 2nd Michigan Cavalry. Served in the army of the Cumberland, rank of Sergeant, was wounded in the leg while skirmishing in Tennessee, Jan. 27, 1864, and never re- turned to the front. He married Aug. 2, 1856, Lucy Church, who was born in Lorain Co., Ohio, Nov. 29, 1840. He has three chil- dren, Carrie, Luther and Martha.


LUCIUS B. BROWN was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Jan. 23, 1822, settled in Crawford Co., Pa., in 1837, and in Georgetown, Ottawa Co., Mich., in 1856, on section 25, removed to section 1, Jamestown, where he now resides, in 1865. He married Oct. 18, 1842, Caroline E. Hamlin, who was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., July 14, 1823. He has two children, Annie L., born July 29, 1843, and married Geo. D. Lane, Oct. 1859; Annes R., born June 26, 1850, married Wm. H. Thresher Dec. 31, 1876.


GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP.


Georgetown at first consisted of four towns, 5, and 6 N., Ranges 18 and 14 W. As they did not organize in 1839, the Legislature in 1840 enacted that they should be attached to Ottawa Township if they did not proceed to organize. It may be considered as an ex- tension of the Grandville Settlement, as that place and Jenisonville were for years one school district. In 1843 there were two houses in Jenisonville.


It is in the eastern line of townships, the second from the south line of the county, and lies south of Grand River, which forms the southeastern boundary for nearly five miles. Kent is on the east, Jamestown on the south, Blendon on the west, and Talmadge and Grand River on the north.


It presents considerable variety of soil, from the stiffest clay to the lightest sand, and has considerable pine mixed with hard wood.


The first settler in Georgetown was Hiram Jenison, who came over from Grandville in 1834, and his father Lemuel the following year, when came in David Burton, Lorenzo French, Nelson Bliss, G. Ketchum, Charles Cory, L. T. Beardsley, and a Mr. Marshall, who all came on or before 1837. In 1837 E. Gallop built a hotel. In 1838, at the mouth of Buck Creek, Ketchum & Marshall built a grist mill and two saw mills on Rush Creek.


The town was organized by act of legislature in 1839, at the first town meeting on the first Monday in April, 1840, when there were seven voters, who elected H. Jenison, Supervisor; H. Burton, Clerk; L. French, Treasurer; H. Jenison, G. M. Barker and L. French, Assessors; Joseph Gallop, H. Burton and H. Gridley, School Inspectors; Joseph Forman, Constable. $100 was voted for contingencies and $50 for support of the poor. Since which the following have been


SUPERVISORS.


H. Jenison, 1841-2-3-4-5-8-9-52-62-3; G. M. Barker, 1846; A. H. Scott, 1847; L. T. Beardsley, 1850; S. L. Lowing, 1851-3- 4-6-9-61; E. F. Bosworth, 1855; John Haire, 1857-8; B. K. Weath- erwax, 1860, (killed in war); T. D. Pearson, 1864-6-8; H. C. Lowing, 1865; H. D. Weatherwax, 1867-76-8-9-80; N. Bliss, 1869; W. W. Weatherwax, 1871; Geo. Weatherwax, 1873-5-6; S. Brennan, 1874; A. Kronemeyer, 1881.


THE CLERKS


were H. Burton, 1841; H. C. Lowing, 1842-3-62-3-4; G. M. Bar- ker, 1844; A. A. Scott, 1843, E. F. Bosworth, 1846-8-50-2-3-6-7- 8-9-60; G. W. Brooks, 1847; S. L. Lowing, 1849; W. N. Carr, 1851; M. W. Scott, 1854-5; J. Tate, 1861; F. A. Jenison, 1865; G. Hubbard, 1866-7-8-9; Alex Wilson, 1870; 'A. Kronemeyer, 1871-2-9-80; W. D. Clark, 1873; L. Day, 1874; H. W. Sweet, 1875-6-7; A. Scott. 1878.


THE SCHOOLS


are divided into ten districts; total expenditures for 1880, $1,850; building and repairs, $900; other purposes, $1,000; number of pupils, 691; value of school property, $7,800; qualified teachers, males, 3; females, 15. The first school was at Haire's Landing,


taught by a Miss Tilden from Grand Rapids in 1846. Another ac- count makes Miss Evarts (now Mrs. Angell, of Grand Haven) the first teacher in 1845.


GEORGETOWN POST OFFICE


was the first in the township and was kept on the river on Sec. 4, as early as 1850, S. L. Lowing being the first post master. It was moved on Section 9 in 1854. E. F. Bosworth has held the office since 1862.


GEORGETOWN GRANGE P. H., NO. 458.


was organized June 4, 1874, with forty-three charter members, and H. C. Lowing as Master; H. Haire, Overseer; J. Tate, Lecturer; K. D. Harrington, Steward; W. Tate, Asst. Steward; D. Purchase, Chaplain; H. M. Sweet, Treasurer; S. Brennan, Secretary; G. Gettings, Gate Keeper; Mrs. R. E. Brannan, Ceres; Mrs. L. E. Bosworth, Pomona; Lucy Bowen, Flora; Mrs. Julia A, Embody, lady Asst. Steward. The Masters have been H. C. Lowing, 1875- 6-7; W. R. Lowing, 1878-9-80; H. D. Weatherwax, 1881. The Lecturers: John Tate, 1875-6-8-9; W. D. Clark, 1877; Mrs. H. D. Weatherwax, 1880; W. R. Lowing, 1881. They own a hall on Section 16, which is 25x60 feet, and 18 feet in height, costing about $900. Present membership 40.


The Church of the Disciples hold their meetings in the school house on Section 8, under Rev. J. Herd, of West Haven. The so- ciety was organized in 1880 with thirty members. C. Salsbury is head Elder, Jas. Wilson and H. Skinner, Deacons; I. Taylor, Sec- retary.


HAIRE'S LANDING,


on Section 3, on Grand River, was formerly the seat of a large saw mill built by John Haire in 1856, was burned in 1864, and rebuilt in 1872, cutting 300,000 feet a day. It was burned again October, 1877, and never rebuilt. The property is now owned by Robert A. Haire.


About a mile further down the river S. L. Lowing owned and operated a saw mill on Section 4, and two miles further down an- other large mill operated by A. C. Lichfield, cutting 100,000 feet a day.


At this point also was a shipyard and several large schooners were built.


The lumber was supplied to mills by a steam tramway burned in 1861.


JENISONVILLE


is a village of about 150 inhabitants on Section 13, on the Kent County line, where the Grand Rapids and Holland Branch of ( W. M Railway crosses the Grand River. Its business interests represented by a large grist mill, owned and operated by L. ¿ Jenison; two stores, blacksmith shop and wagon shop. It h: Dutch Reformed Church. The post office was established in 1 with G. Weatherwax as first post master, O. S. Drake, assis The present post master is J. W. Closterhouse.


-------


·99


HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.


The mill was built by the Jenisons in 1864. It has three sets of 4 feet buhr stones, is run by water power, and has a capacity of fifty barrels of flour in twelve hours running. J. F. Hardy is head miller.


MASONIC.


Jenison Lodge, 322, inaugurated Jan. 27, 1875, with ten char- ter members. ; The first officers were Thos. Lowe, W. M .; Cyrus Freeman, S. W .; H. C. Lowing, J. W. The present officers are: Lewis Peck, W. M .; L. Day, S. W .; G. D. Lam, J. W .; W. Thasher, S. D .; L. Jenison, Treasurer; J. C. Daily, Secretary. The present membership is 56. Size of lodge room, 22x30, with furniture valued at $200.


HUDSONVILLE


is a hamlet of about a hundred inhabitants situated on Section 28. It amounted to very little till the completion of the railroad in 1872. Now it contains two saw mills, planing mill, cheese factory, two general stores, a blacksmith shop, churches, &c.


HUDSONVILLE POST OFFICE


was established under the name of South Georgetown, May 1, 1868, and received its present name Feb. 18, 1872, in both of which Homer E. Hudson received the appointment of post master, which position he has held till the Spring of 1881, when he resigned in favor of John Green, the present incumbent. It now distributes mail matter to a large population.


CUNNINGHAM BROS. SAW AND PLANING MILL.


Messrs. Cunningham built a commodious building in 1874, using the same as a wagon and blacksmith shop till 1878, when they added a planer, and in 1880 a saw mill capable of cutting about 6,000 feet daily, and propelled by a twenty-horse power en- gine. At present their principal business is manufacturing cheese boxes.


CURRY & BENNETT'S SAW MILL


was built in 1875 by. Curry & Richards. In May, 1880, Wm. Ben- nett purchased the interest of Richards. It is propelled by a thirty- horse power engine and capable of cutting a thousand feet per hour.


HUDSONVILLE CHEESE FACTORY


was established in 1876 by F. J. Lamb, who operated it one year and sold out to S. H. Oatman, who still owns and operates it. It contains all the latest improvements and two milk vats of 500 gal- lons each, with a capacity of about a thousand pounds daily, and for a term of years has averaged about 35,000 pounds of cheese. The milk is supplied by about twenty farmers. The building is 32x32, and 16 feet in height.


HUDSONVILLE GRANGE, P. OF H., NO. 112,


was instituted Nov. 8, 1873, with twenty-three charter members. Its first officers were H. E. Hudson, Master; C. W. Beers, Over- seer; B. E. Green, Sec'y .; H. H. Chamberlain, Lecturer; W. B. Yemmans, Steward; D. Cunningham, Asst. Steward; C. Sheldon, Chaplain; O. Hall, Treasurer; H. Balcom, Gate Keeper; Mrs. E. G. Morris, lady Asst. Steward; Mrs. R. Franklin, Ceres; Mrs. H. H. Chamberlain, Pomona; Mrs. B. E. Green, Flora. The mem- bership at present (1881) is twenty-five. H. E. Hudson, Master; James Decator, Overseer; Dell Barnaby, Secretary; W. B. Yem- mans, Treasurer.


Hudsonville Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 326, was organized Feb. 2, 1881, with the following charter members: James B. Yemmans, Dudley Cunningham, L. M. Wolf, I. M. Winegar, Walter F. Tate,


Eugene Spear, James Pitt, Winfield Atkins, John G. Barager, Hor- ace A. Hudson, W. B. Yemmans.


The following were charter initiates, viz .: H. E. Hudson, John McEwen, Charles L. Underhill, Daniel Flipsa, Wm. W. Morris, Wesley Annable, W. H. Linacre, James Richards, Charles E. Bos- worth, R. Alward, O. C. Knapin, B. H. Lowing.


First officers: L. M. Wolf, N. G .; James Yemmans, V. G .; H. A. Hudson, R. S .; Eugene Spear, P. S .; James Pitt, Treas .; I. M. Winegar, Warden; W. B. Yemmans, Con .; D. Cunnigham, O. G .; W. F. Tate, J. G. Barager, Scene Supporters; H. E. Hudson, R. S. N. G .; John Tibbett, L. S. N. G.


Present officers: James B. Yemmans, N. G .; I. Winegar, V. G .; L. H. Hanley, R. S .; William Whipple, P. S .; James Pitt, Treas .; James Richard, Warden; William Morris, Con .; W. Lena- cre, I. G .; Winfield Atkins, O. C. Knapin; Scene Supporters, H. E. Hudson, R. S. N. G .; John Tibbett, L. S. N. G .; B. B. Godfrey, R. S. V. G .; C. L. Underhill, L. S. V. G .; E. G. Morris, Chaplain.


Present membership is 33.


Regular meeting each Wednesday evening.


CHURCHES.


The Baptist Church at Hudsonville effected its organization in the summer of 1866, with fourteen members, and E. H. Covey, its first pastor, who died June, 1872. Since which C. E. Stores and John Dunham have officiated as pastors. Till recently the society had no regular pastor, but D. Osborn, of Grand Rapids, supplies the charge. The officers of the church are R. Franklin, deacon; H. H. Chamberlain, clerk, who, together with H. A. Hudson, com- prise the trustees. Present membership is 45. A union Sunday school is conducted here. The society owns a lot and have taken steps toward erecting a church edifice.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


HIRAM JENISON was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., May 11, 1813. He and his father were the first settlers in Georgetown. He has ever been largely identified in the government of his township; was the first supervisor, which he retained for years; also twice a member of the State Legislature. He is a farmer and lumberman, re- siding on Sec. 23. Married Oct. 12, 1838, Mary Beardsley, who was born in Genesee County, N. Y., June 26, 1819. Eight children. His father, Lemuel, was born in Vermont, and killed by the fall of a tree in 1837.


THOMAS CURRY was born in Cecil County, Md., March 6, 1838. Early learned the trade of a woolen manufacturer, and in 1860 en- tered into the business of manufacturing in Butler County, Penn., remaining two years, when he engaged in oil speculation. In 1866 he went to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and engaged in saw mill and farming business. In 1877 he located at Hudsonville, Ottawa County, and built a saw mill, which he still operates. Married Oct. 13, 1864, to Miriam N. Kiester, who was born in Butler County, Penn., April 15, 1844. Two children living, Laura M. and John B.


E. F. BOSWORTH was born in Washington County, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1818. At a very early age he settled in Vermont, and in 1827 went to Buffalo, N. Y .- In 1843 he settled on Sec. 9, Georgetown, where he still lives. Has been Supervisor, Township Clerk and Post Master of Georgetown. Married Sept. 27, 1846, to Mary Low- ing, who was born in Genesee County, N. Y., June 5, 1825. They have six living children.


L. and L. JENISON, twins, were born in St. Lawrence County,


100


HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.


N. Y., April 25, 1823. Settled near Jenisonville, Georgetown Town- ship, in 1836, on Sec. 34. They are actively engaged in farming, and also proprietors of the grist mill at Jenisonville, built in 1864. Neither ever married.


J. W. CLOSTERHOUSE was born in Georgetown, June 5, 1857. Studied medicine for nearly two years, but health failing, engaged in the mercantile business at Grand Rapids. Subsequently estab- lished a store at Jenisonville, where he is now doing business. He is the present post master. Married Nov. 2, 1880, Nora M. Taylor, who was born in Knox County, Ill., May 20, 1860. Father's name is Wilby-born in the Netherlands and settled in Michigan in 1848.


JOHN F. HARDY, born in Kent County, Mich., Sept. 29, 1851. Early learned the milling business, which he has ever followed, and at present is the head miller in the custom mill of L. & L. Jeni- son at Jenisonville. Married Feb. 28, 1881, to Mary Hice, who was born in Lamont, Ottawa County, Mich., Feb. 28, 1858. Fath- er's name is Thomas Hardy, born in Franklin County, Vt., July 12, 1827. Settled at Grand Rapids in 1843, and in Georgetown in 1865, where he held several township offices of trust. Married May 1, 1847, Lucinda Powell, who was born in the State of New York in 1831.


EUGENE A. WEATHERWAX was born in Hillsdale County, Mich., Aug. 25, 1844. Was actively engaged in lumbering till 1879, when he settled in Georgetown, where he died April 4, 1881. He was married March 26, 1877, to Mary Haire, who was born in George- town May 29, 1853, who after receiving a very liberal education, engaged in teaching, both day school and instrumental music. Two children, Don and Jessie.


IRA Y. BURNHAM was born in Orange County, Vt., Dec. 22, 1829. Graduated at Burlington University in 1853. Subsequently studied law, being admitted to practice in January, 1855. Followed his profession at Northfield three years, thence to Manitowoc, Wis., and in Milwaukee till 1863, when he settled in Georgetown, taking a government contract of constructing a road from Berlin to Alle- gan County line, receiving therefor one and a half sections to the mile, of which he still retains some 2,000 or 3,000 acres. At pres- ent he resides at Grand Rapids, but has ever been identified in the interests of Georgetown. He exerted a large influence in securing the railroad which is operating in this locality. Married May, 1855, to Abby King, who was born in Grandville, Vt., Dec. 17, 1830.


FRANKLIN PHELPS was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, Aug. 13, 1833. Settled in Georgetown, on Sec. 23, in 1865, where he now lives. Married in 1855 Julia A. Cone, who was born in Medina County, Ohio, Feb. 16, 1839. Three children-Winnie L., born Oct. 17, 1866; Willis A., born Aug. 26, 1868; Flora A., born Feb. 26, 1870.


JOHN GREEN, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., March 31, 1831. Blacksmith by trade. Settled in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1850, remaining till 1853, when he commenced business on his own account at Grandville, Kent County, finally settling in Georgetown, Ottawa County, in 1856, being among the first settlers in the vicinity of Hudsonville, where he engaged in farming, and has ever since resided in Ottawa County. In the spring of 1881 he sold his farm, and engaged in general merchandise at Hudsonville; is also the post master. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B., 6th Michigan Cavalry. as blacksmith and farrier, serving three years and three months. Mr. Green has been twice married; first, Feb. 22, 1853, to Ann Eliza Morris, who was born in Racine, Wis., in 1836, and died Feb. 17, 1854. Second marriage, Dec. 31, 1859, to Phebe S. Smith, who was born in Ontario County, N. P., Oct. 4, 1828. Five children.


HOMER E. HUDSON, the subject of this sketch, as statistics show, has been and is one of the prominent self-made men of Hudsonville.


Born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 30, 1828, he early turned his attention to the nursery business. In 1847 we find him employed in the nursery of Elisha Kellogg, of Grand Rapids. Subsequently, in 1851, he set- tled in Holland, Mich., and engaged in the same business on his own account, where he remained ten years, when in 1861, he estab- lished a nursery at Hudsonville, Georgetown Township, on Sec. 33, which he followed till 1873, when he sold out his nursery business, and is now engaged in farming. In township matters Mr. Hudson has ever taken a part. He has been Township Treasurer two terms, Highway and Drain Commissioner, School Director, and Post Mas- ter since the establishment of the office till the spring of 1881. Is the present Master of Hudsonville Grange, P. of H., and has been ever since its organization, with the exception of three years. Is also the present Master of Western Pomona Grange, P. of H., No. 19. Married Oct. 18, 1849, Clarinda Burt, who was born Oct. 2, 1829. Five living children.


INDEPENDENCE DAY KNAPPEN was born in Chesterfield Co., N. Y., July 4, 1797, enlisted as a teamster in the war of 1812 and 1813, served eighteen months, previously however he had made his home in Plattsburg, N. Y., (1811). In 1817 he went to Canada (Quebec), and engaged in lumbering until 1837, when he espoused the cause of the Patriots, soon after was taken in custody by the English Government as a rebel, but preferring liberty to death, took "Scotch leave" bringing up in the United States, settling in Oneida Co., N. Y., where he acted as foreman on the canal, thence to Che- mung Co., N. Y., where he acted as contractor on wooden docks on the canal. He first settled in Michigan at Hastings in 1844, became the owner of a saw mill, which he operated for some years. He finally settled in Georgetown, Ottawa Co., Mich., in 1855, and at the present writing (Dec. 2, 1881), we found him in his 83rd year engaged in pulling stumps, and as hale as a man of 50. He was married March 13, 1842, to Miami Fulton who was born in Penn- sylvania in 1814.


DELL BARNABY was born in Potter Co., Pa., Dec. 16, 1856, set- tled with his father in Georgetown, on section 27, in 1865. He was married June 30, 1880, to Delphia C. Hudson, who was born in Hol- land, Mich., Aug. 21, 1859.


ALBERTUS KRONEMEYER was born in the Netherlands Feb. 10, 1839. His father was a mechanic by trade, and settled in Holland, Mich., in 1847, bringing his family. Mr. Kronemeyer settled in Georgetown in 1858, and now lives on section 21. Is the present (1881) Supervisor, has been Township Clerk, Treasurer, etc. En- listed June 1862, in the 21st Mich., Infantry, Company G., taken prisoner at Bentonville, S. C. He was married June 28, 1866, to Mary Van Strate, who was born in the Netherlands, March 13, 1845. He has three children.


BENJAMIN ROBINSON Was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., Jan. 31, 1810, settled in Kent Co., Mich., in 1838, and in Georgetown, Otta- wa Co., in 1858. He was married Feb. 10, 1831, to Phebe R. Wil- son, who was born in Chittenden Co., Vermont, Oct. 23, 1811. He has had ten children, six of whom have died.




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