USA > Michigan > Ottawa County > History of Ottawa County, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 28
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In 1853 $1,000 was raised for roads and bridges. Eighty-
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HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
three voters assembled and elected T. Eastman over H. C. Durphy, who, however, got the Clerkship.
In 1854-5 Simon Hazelton received all the votes for Super- visor.
In 1856 Hazelton was again elected, H. C. Durphy being Clerk, Justus Stiles, Treasurer; Hubertus Fish and A. B. Sumner, Justices of the Peace.
Great interest appears to have been taken in the election of 1857, 233 votes being cast, of which Jas. Sawyer received 147 for Supervisor to 86 for S. Hazelton; J. A. Walter became Clerk, J. Stiles, Treasurer; J. G. Cilley became Justice of the Peace, O. B. Shaw, School Inspector.
In 1858 the former election was reversed, Hazelton got 131 and Sawyer 117 for Supervisor. J. A. Walter became Clerk, Jos- eph Brown, Treasurer, by six votes over Justus Stiles; J. G. Col- grove, School Inspector.
In 1859 Jas. Sawyer received 123 votes for Supervisor to J. A. Walter's 88. Mark Richards got the Clerkship. There seems to have been some difficulty this year owing to the Supervisor failing to qualify, and at a special meeting held in June he was reelected, and yet it is recorded that J. A. Luther took the oath of office as Supervisor.
In 1860 the meeting was held at Cooperville, 190 voters being present. A. B. Sumner was elected over S. Hazelton for Supervis- or, M. Richards, Clerk, and C. S. Stiles, Treasurer.
In 1861 the election was very close, A. B. Sumner received 90 votes and H. C. Durphy 88; Joel A. Walter became Clerk, C. S. Stiles, Treasurer; Simon Hazelton and Jas. Cilley, Justices.
In 1862 A. B. Sumner again gains the Supervisorship by 96 votes to H. C. Durphy's 73.
In 1863 Joel A. Walter became Supervisor by 123 to 86 for S. Hazelton, C. B. Shaw became clerk, A. Sumner, Treasurer. At a special meeting on the 4th of January, 1864, $100 bonus was voted to each volunteer.
J. A. Walter was reelected Supervisor, Joseph Brown, Clerk; A. B. Sumner, Treasurer; R. B. Hanchett, Highway Commission- er; A. Peck and R. Platt, Overseers of Poor.
In 1865 Wales F. Storrs was elected Supervisor; C. S. Stiles, Clerk; E. R. Ford, Treasurer; G. W. Danforth and Marvel Garri- son, Justices.
In 1866, there being 212 voters, W. F. Storrs received 140 for the Supervisorship and S. Hazelton 72. Joseph Brown was elected Clerk, W. S. Cole, Treasurer; H. S. Averill, Commissioner of Highways; Jas. Cilley and Joseph Brown, Justices of the Peace.
In 1867 Storrs gained the Supervisorship after another contest with Hazelton, vote 136 to 131.
In 1868 there was an increase in the votes cast, there being 372 votes cast, and J. A. Walter received 196 against 176 for S. Hazelton; 'Jos. Brown,, Clerk; and Clark Barnet, Treasurer.
In 1869 Hazelton's perseverance was rewarded by his election of 202 against 128 for J. A. Walter, John Spencer became Clerk, Thos. F. Easton, Treasurer; Thos. W. Lowe and J. B. Phillips, Justices of the Peace. There was a general change of officials this year.
In 1880 there was great interest taken, 334 votes being cast. Hazelton was reelected by 207 against 127 for W. S. Cole; Joseph Brown, Clerk; D. R. Spencer, Treasurer.
In 1881 Hiram Lull received 224 votes for Supervisor against 127 for T. F. Easton.
In 1872 G. T. Peck was elected Supervisor by 220 votes against 96 for S. Hazelton, but in the following year Hazelton was elected by a large majority.
Joel A. Walter then entered upon a long term of the Super- visorship during 1874-5-6-7-8.
In 1879 E. Thayer was elected by 9 votes over G. J. Sherman. Joseph Brown, Clerk; W. R. Baronett, Treasurer.
In 1880 E. Thayer was reelected Supervisor, and in 1881 the officials were: E. Thayer, Supervisor; Joseph Brown, Clerk; T. M. Reed, Treasurer; A. Lawton, Commissioner of Highways; J. V. B. Goodrich, Justice of the Peace; N. Garrison, Supt. of Schools; W. T. Stamp, School Inspector; John Newland, Drain Commis- sioner; P. R. Averill, J. M. Peterson, "C. Watt and N. Garrison, Constables.
Among the earliest settlers were Dr. Scranton, who gave his own name to what is now Eastmanville, and J. V. Hopkins, who settled in 1835; J. Simons and J. Crickmore were also early settlers. The township contains three villages, of which the first is
DENNISON,
a small place about three miles west of Cooperville in the D., G. H. & M. railroad, containing half a dozen houses, railway station, post office, and steam saw mill.
On the Grand River is the village of
EASTMANVILLE.
which was settled at an early day, about 1835, by Dr. Scranton, formerly of Port Sheldon, taking up a pre-emption there, and call- ing the place Scranton. J. V. Hopkins and Benjamin Hopkins and family from Canada were also among the early settlers.
But the chief historical family that have made their residence there have been the
EASTMANS.
Dr. Timothy Eastman was from Maine, and came at first to Grand Haven in 1835, engaging in the practice of his profession. The Eastmans trace their descent to Roger Eastman, who was born in Wales in 1611, and immigrated to Salisbury, Mass., in 1640. Dr. Timothy Eastman was the fourth in descent from this Roger, and was born Jan. 17, 1798, and on the 18th of Oct. 1825, he mar- ried May Jane Barker, then but 16 years of age, and who died in 1858. The doctor pursued his medical studies in Boston, gradua- ting in 1822, and settling first in Maine. He removed to the wil- derness of Ottawa County in 1835, and after an active and useful life died at Eastmanville in 1868, just one year after the death of his life-long friend, the Rev. Mr. Ferry. The only question of any importance on which they differed was that of the County seat, the Doctor, as was natural, being an ardent advocate of Eastmanville, while Mr. Ferry was just as strenuous in the cause of Grand Haven. But the slight estrangement from this cause was but temporary, and they died warm, mutual friends.
The surviving children of Dr. Eastman are George, born May . 29, 1828, who is a prominent lumberman and agriculturist in Rob- inson Township, and Galen, born July 8, 1829, and who married Dec. 14, 1858, Mary L., youngest daughter of Rev. Mr. Ferry. He is now Indian agent to the Navahoes, while his family reside in the Haven. He has been prominent in the development of the county as a merchant, lumberer, editor and real estate orpeator.
Dr. Eastman was a man highly respected, and useful in many ways, and his memory as a pioneer is cherished by the early set- tlers. He had a very versatile mind, as is very evident from various and diverse duties he performed in those early days. He was a skillful physician, a good Judge of Probate, an excellent land sur- veyor, and a keen politician and prominent representative.
Eastmanville had an active existence, as it was well situated on the north bank of Grand River, far enough from Grand Haven and
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HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
Grand Rapids to be a sort of half-way distributing point for all the country north and south of it, as well as to a great extent east and west. There were lively times then in the village, and ambitious schemes for its advancement loomed up. But the course of the railway, three miles north, has built up Cooperville, and left East- manville to a fate somewhat similar to Lamont. However, there is considerable business done in the village, and there is a graded school, two churches, good general stores, drug store and post office.
In 1876 Rev. J. J. Bennett was the Congregational minister, Goldborough, Niles and Slocum (now of Lamont) were the physi- cians, G. Vannett, hotel proprietor; W. Watt, wagon maker; Wag- ner Bros. had a general store, planing and handle mill; H. S. Taft, grocer and druggist; Griffith & Watson, flouring mill; E. Mayes, Jus- tice of the peace and real estate agent; T. Hefferan, lumber manufac- turer; H. Lull & Son, lumber; M. & N. Garrison and E. Ackerman, carpenters, and E. Crandall and H. Egleston, blacksmiths.
EASTMANVILLE FLOURING MILL
was built in 1873 by Griffin and Watson (Frank F., who had come to Eastmanville the year previous), and in 1880 Mr. Griffin's interest was purchased by Ozro C. Lull. The building is forty by sixty feet, with a sixty horse-power engine, and a capacity of 200 bushels per day. The flour is of a superior quality, and finds a ready sale in Muskegon and Grand Haven and near home.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
We now proceed to give biographical sketches of some of the prominent residents of the village:
OZRO C. LULL, son of H. Lull, was born in Erie County, N. Y., in 1845; came to Eastmanville in 1865, and went into the flouring business in 1880 with Mr. Watson, and by his energy has managed to do a successful business.
THOMAS HEFFERAN, manufacturer and dealer in all kinds of hard and soft lumber, and in farm wagons, was born in Washington County, N. Y., in 1831, coming to this State in 1842, and to East- manville in 1848, and was employed by Dr. Eastman for three years, then by Galen Eastman as clerk and manager of his lumber interest in Chicago. In 1858 he returned to Eastmanville in the employ of the Eastmans for seven years, when he went into business for him- self, also dealing extensively in real estate, and being very successful in all his operations. He is looked up to by the community as a man of honor and ability.
ADAM WAGNER, Postmaster at Eastmanville, was born 1831 in Germany; emigrated to Ohio in 1851, and to Ottawa in 1855, work- ing at first clearing the farm of his brother John, and afterwards worked in Galen Eastman's store. In 1868 entered into company with Messrs. Thayer and Eastman as general merchants. In two years Mr. Thayer retired, and in another two years Mr. Eastman's brother went in, and the firm name was Eastman Bros. & Wagner until 1871, when the Eastmans retired and John Wagner went in, the firm name being Wagner Bros. until 1879. Since that time the whole business has been in the hands of Adam Wagner. In 1868 he was appointed Postmaster, having previously been clerk to Tim- othy Eastman, his predecessor. He has also had the ferry since 1868. He was married in 1869 to Miss Eunice Thayer, and has a family of six children. He takes an active interest in all public matters, and has the respect and esteem of all his neighbors. His success in life may be attributed to sterling honesty united with great energy of character. He takes a warm interest in Free Ma- sonry, and is master of the lodge in his village.
JOHN WAGNER was born in Prussia in 1825; came to Allendale
in 1840, settling on Section 10, working at shingle making. In 1863 he worked for Galen Eastman, and in 1871 bought out G. Eastman's share in Eastman & Wagner's general store, and in 1879 he sold it to his brother and went into the wood, bark and tie busi- ness, and also with his brother runs a planing mill. He has been a successful and energetic man. Married in 1852 Miss Lucinda West and has one son, John A., born in 1854, who has been in the store ever since he was old enough to do any business.
Among the new mercantile establishments is that of WAGNER & WELLS, dealers in general hardware, stoves, flour and feed, who commenced Nov. 1, 1881, and who have a well-filled store. They expect soon to work up a good trade, as they have secured public confidence.
MR. R. H. WELLS was born in Yates County, N. Y., in 1853, and is son of G. M. Wells, who settled in this county in 1859. Mr. Wells lived at home until he was twenty-three years of age, and has since that time resided in Eastmanville. In 1876 he married Miss Eva L. Griffith, of Ottawa County. Six months previous to engag- ing in his present business, he was employed by the Gold and Silver Plating Company of Adrian. Mr. Wells has received a liberal edu- cation, and has taught school five years.
J. A. WAGNER, son of John Wagner, was born in 1854 in Allen- dale. In 1871 he was employed in Wagner & Eastman's store at Eastmanville, remaining there until Sept. 1, 1874, when he went into business for himself in the same building as he now occupies, but in 1881 was obliged to relinquish business, and worked for the Adrian Plating Company until Nov. 1st, when he resumed business, taking in as partner Mr. Wells, whose sister Julia he had married in 1879.
DR. P. L. GOLDBOROUGH, Eastmanville, was born in Nottingham, Eng., in 1837,and when 16 years of age entered the office of Dr. Worth, of Nottingham, remaining three years, and attended King's Medical College, London,for three years more. He came to St. Louis in 1858 and graduated at McDowell's College in that city. He commenced practice in 1859 at St. Louis, and at the beginning of the war was detailed as Assistant Surgeon in the Western department, remain- ing until the close of the war. His health having suffered he trav- eled, making a specialty of the eye and ear, until 1875, when he permanently settled at Eastmanville, where he enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice, which, from his great skill and experience he deserves. He married, in 1875, Miss Sophronia Derby, of Grand Rapids, and has one son, Edwin, born in 1877.
EDWIN THAYER, real estate dealer, was born in Hillsdale Co., Mich., in 1840, and settled in Eastmanville with his father, Ezra Thayer in 1849, afterwards moving to Southern Michigan and returning in 1868. He received a liberal education, having attended Hillsdale College for two years; was with Wagner & Eastman in the mercantile business for two years, and since then has been successfully engaged in han- dling real estate. Was elected Supervisor in 1879, and still holds the office. He married, in 1870, Miss Cunningham, and has one son and one daughter. Mr. Thayer has about 1,000 acres of land in Polkton, and also many other farms and pine lands throughout the State. He has the well-deserved confidence of all his fellow citizens.
D. R. SPENCER, retired farmer, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1835, coming to Eastmanville in 1863, where he purchased property and resided two years. He then moved to his farm in section 34, where he remained until 1880, then selling out and mov- ing into Eastmanville, and lives surrounded by his friends.
E. KINNEY, hotel keeper and shoemaker, was born in the North of Ireland in 1816; when sixteen years of age joined the British army and served nearly ten years, going to the West Indies for three years, and thence to Montreal until discharged, being Master
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HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
Shoemaker during that time, and holding the position of full Ser- geant. He married, in 1 51, Miss Eliza Foster, of New York, and has five children. Came to Eastmanville first in 1855, and with some exceptions has been there ever since.
COOPERVILLE.
This lively and rapidly increasing village is situated on the line of the D., G. H. & M. Railroad, and is the chief station for business between Grand Haven and the Rapids. Real estate sells well, bus- iness is lively and increasing, houses are going up on every side, and altogether, in 1881-2, Cooperville is enjoying an era of prosper- ity. It has some fine business establishments, but time will be necessary to improve many of the buildings, which are mostly of wood. There is nothing to hinder Cooperville from becoming a place of considerable importance, as it is situated at sufficient dis- tance from rivals in the midst of a rich farming country to be free to develop itself, especially if manufactures are introduced.
The founder of the village was Benjamin F. Cooper, who, in the spring of 1845 purchased the section on which Cooperville now stands, but it remained untouched until the railroad went through. He then offered, as an inducement, to give the railway company the undivided one-half of the 160 acres if they would locate a depot there and call it Cooperville. He then sent two sons to start the place. They built a saw mill, started a store, struggled on for years, failed, and went back to Utica, N. Y. Mr. Cooper became discour- aged and did no more, and after his death the property was sold to W. F. Storrs, George W. Danforth, Charles Hosmer and A. C. Ellis and the place began to grow and develop into importance.
A good deal of money has been expended in draining Cooper- ville, and the front street gravelled from pits in Ada twenty miles off.
Seventeen years ago Cooperville had but two or three houses in it. These were a portion of the National Hotel, a small grist and saw-mill, owned by Storrs, of Grand Haven, and a shanty near where O. G. Wilson's dwelling now is.
The growth of the village has been steady and uniform as the development of the agricultural resources of the surrounding coun- try is the chief factor in its prosperity. Mr. Watson and his family have done much to develop the place, and are among the early set- tlers. Mr. Storrs, of Grand Haven, was a useful citizen and left in 1871.
The first store was owned by Mr. Danforth, of Iowa, and the building is now owned by W. H. Blanchard.
The village was incorporated by act No. 208 of the Legislature of 1871, and consists of portions of Sections 23, 24, 25 and 26 of the Township of Polkton.
The first meeting was held at the school on the first Monday in March. Simon Hazleton, Albert Lawton and Thomas Watson were Inspectors of Elections, and W. G. Watson Clerk. Ninety- five votes were cast, and W. G. Watson was elected President, Joseph Brown Recorder, and S. Hazelton, H. W. McBryer, J. H. Her- mance, A. Lawton, W. F. Storrs and N. J. Benedict, Trustees; Thomas Watson, Assessor, and W. McEwing, Treasurer.
In 1881 the officers were: J. V. B. Goodrich, President; R. Lillie, Recorder; W. E. Watson, Treasurer; T. M. Reed, Assessor; I. J. Thompson, J. H. Hermance, F. D. Smith, J. E. Rice, and G. L. Root, Trustees. The salaries were: For Marshal, $25 and fees; Recorder, $15; Assessor, $20, and Treasurer, $5.
In 1882 the officers are: President of the Village, Oscar F. Conkling; Recorder, Roswell Lillie; Treasurer, G. W. Watrous. . In 1867 there was but one hotel, three general stores, a tannery
and several mechanical shops. The Postmaster was William Wil- son, who, with Elisha Brace, carried on a general store, and G. W. Danforth had another store, and Warren Lillie the third. James Cilley was lawyer, S. Hazelton Justice of the Peace, Rev. Daniel B. Lawton was Methodist minister, J. Newton kept the Cooperville House, W. Storrs & Son were dealers in lumber, Phelps Brothers had the tannery. The carpenters were Joseph Brown, J. S. Van Gordon and Joel A. Walter. S. Randall and S. Treloar were the blacksmiths.
In 1877 we find J. H. Hermance has a grist and saw mill, T. M. Reed has the National Hotel, and Chas. Smith the Temperance House; Rev. C. C. Faro (Methodist) and C. S. Gitchill (Free Meth- odist), are the clergymen; J. N. Cloud is jeweller, W. G. & J. Wat- son and Chas. Squier have general stores; the lawyers are G. A. Farr and Roswell Lillie; the physicians, Dr. Austin and Dr. Shel- don; L. Parker & Son have hardware, and B. F. Treat is photogra- - pher and dentist.
NEWSPAPERS
The first newspaper in Cooperville was started in 1875 by H. Potts, now of the Courier-Journal, of Grand Haven, who first started the Ottawa County Courier at Nunica, and transferred it to Cooperville, running it for several years, thence he took it to Spring Lake and after two years took it to Grand Haven in 1880. Coop- erville was without a press for three years, when in the Spring of 1880 Mr. Smith, of Grand Rapids, issued three numbers of a news- paper and left suddenly.
W. G. Barnes, the present proprietor of the Observer then came in, and after a severe struggle has succeeded in placing his paper on a firm foundation, enjoying the confidence and support of the whole community. The circulation is 500 and is increasing; politics, neutral.
The churches of Cooperville are the Methodist Episcopal, the Free Methodists, the Adventists, and the Protestant Episcopalians.
The first church was built by the Congregationalists, with the privilege of the Methodist Episcopal church using it once in two weeks, but in 1875 the Congregationalists having dwindled away, the edifice was purchased by the Methodists, who had started their class in 1866. The original class were: Walter McEwing and wife, Roswell Toothacre and wife, Robert Martin and wife, Mrs. Sours, Mrs. Austin and two others. For two years meetings were held in private houses, and then in a hall over a store.
The Seventh Day Adventists have congregations at Grand Rapids, Blendon, Allendale, Wright, Ravenna, Cooperville, Twin Lake, &c.
Dr. Sherman, now of Utah Territory, was the first physician, and Dr. Sheldon is also one of the first settlers, also John McEwan.
The population is 800. It has one brick school building, 226 scholars and three teachers. It is a plain but substantial struc- ture costing $5000. The first principal was Milo D. Anderson, who remained two years, and was succeeded by Geo. A. Farr. It has a lodge of the Knights of Honor, with J. J. Austin, Dictator; and R. Lillie, Reporter. There are two steam grist mills, one steam saw mill, and one wagon factory, three dry goods and general stores, two grocery and drug stores, one drug store, one hardware store, two harness and three shoe shops, four blacksmith shops, two hotels-the Maxfield House and National Hotel-three attorneys, James Cilley, J. V. B. Goodrich and R. Lillie. It also has a post- office.
We now proceed to five brief sketches of prominent citizens,
JOSEPH BROWN, post master at Cooperville, came to Polkton April, 1850, and settled at Cooperville in 1864, and was appointed post master in 1867. He was born in Franklin County, Mass., in 1825, and removed to Pennsylvania in 1831, and in May, 1861, en-
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HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.
listed in the 3d Michigan Infantry, and was discharged Aug. 1863. He was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run in the thigh, ly- ing on the battle ground for three days, and was then removed to the hospital. There are but two other men on record that were simi- larly wounded, and survived. Mr. Brown is a gentleman highly re- spected by all for his good qualities, and as an early pioneer has done his share in the development of this section.
W. G. WATSON, merchant at Cooperville, came in 1867 from St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and was elected a member of the village Board in 1869, also president of the same. Mr. Watson has shown great enterprise in the erection of buildings, and in doing on all oc- casions what he could for the advancement of Cooperville.
C. E. BLAKELY, druggist at Cooperville, commenced business in 1869, coming from Rockford, Mich., where he was born in 1847, and had been engaged in the drug business for thirteen years pre- vious.
JUDSON E. RICE, merchant at Cooperville, came to the village in 1875, and went into business with W. G. Watson, as Watson, Rice, & Co., for three years. He was born in DeKalb County, N. Y., in 1844. Being of an ardent and patriotic disposition he made three attempts to enlist in the late war, but was twice rejected on account of being under age. In 1864 he was successful in getting into 106th N. Y. Infantry, and was discharged in July, 1865. He returned to New York and remained until 1875. After being at Cooperville for a time he was in business for a short time at White- hall and then came back.
N. D. MARSH, furniture dealer at Cooperville, come in 1878 as pastor of the M. E. Church for two years, and is still a supernu- merary of the Michigan Conference. He was born in Union City, Mich., and removed to Ionia County, where he remained until he came to Cooperville. He married in 1861 Libbie M. Fegels, and has three sons and three daughters living.
W. R. GRIFFIN, retired merchant at Cooperville, was born in Ireland in 1844, and came to N. Y. State in 1856. In 1862 he en- listed in the 9th N. Y. Cavalry, was wounded in . 1864, and taken prisoner on the field, and detained five months in Libbie Prison from which he was paroled; he was discharged in Nov. 1864. He came to this section in 1865, and in 1869 went into mercantile business in Cooperville in company with W. E. Watson. He married in 1869 Louisa J. Lawton.
J. B. WATSON, druggist at Cooperville, was born [in Edwards, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., coming here with his father, W. G. Watson, in 1867,working in the store until 1880, when he engaged in the drug business. He married Nov. 3, 1880, Mary Ackeley. Mr. Watson is a graduate in Pharmacy, is well skilled in his profession, and has received a liberal education. His establishment is thoroughly equipped, and a model of neatness.
L. PARKER & SON, hardware merchants, came to Cooperville in 1871 from Erie County, N. Y. L. Parker was born in Cayuga Co., in 1806. The business was established five years before L. Parker, Sr., took an interest in it by purchasing the share of L. Parker. Jr., and continuing the business with his son E. Parker. They do a very extensive business in their line, giving general satisfaction to all their patrons. E. Parker was born in Erie county, N. Y., in 1851, and married in 1872 Miss Sarah A. Lawton.
O. G. MAXFIELD, of Maxfield House, Cooperville, was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1840, coming to Ottawa County in 1844. He is by profession an engineer, and was in different locali- ties in pursuit of his profession until 1870, when he married Elzora Rudd, of Chicago, and rented a hotel, the Eastmanville House, at Cooperville. After two years in this, he rented a hotel in Grand Rapids, and afterwards bought a hotel here, which was burned in January, 1881, when he rebuilt the same summer a spacious house,
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