USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 15
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animal, and Don and I pitched into him without ceremony. But how the woodchuck went back on us! In fact it was not a woodchuck, but a 'Mephitis Americana,' or, in plain Eng- lish, a skunk; not one of the imported kind, but truly Ameri- can. And what a smell was there, my countrymen! We fought it out, but when we got through, the best man living could not have told which was the skunk. I believe I made an effort to back down into the hole, firmly convinced that I had been transformed in the fight; that I was a skunk, and had been attacked by the dog."
SCHOOLS.
Rockford had simple plain buildings for her school or schools until 1870, when the present house was erected, as heretofore stated. The first principal was Prof. MeEwan, a man of fine culture, assisted by three ladies-two Misses De Pew and Miss Martin. MeEwan stayed but 13 years. He was followed by Prof. (). O. Fletcher, the present principal. Expense annually. $5,775.
ALPINE.
There are some donbts as to who first penetrated into the wilds of Alpine, and is deserving of the honor of being handed down to future generations as " the first settler." This much is rescued from the dim traditions of antiquity:
In the fall of 1837, Solomon Wright, a man educated at Williams College, Mass., came with his family from the State of New York, and pre-empted eighty acres of land in the southwest part of Alpine. His eldest son, Benjamin, also pre-empted land. The old gentleman, not rich, had five boys. and, as they have given name to a town near by, and have not been ciphers in the world, we will here give their names: Benjamin, Solomon, Noadiah (better known as "Dutch "). Andrew and Jeremiah S.
The Wrights found no settlers in the west part of the town, or in the north part of Walker. There were in the town three Frenchmen named Peter Labelle, Joseph Genie, and another, name forgotten. These Frenchmen put up a mill on govern-
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ment land; stayed two or three years, and went away. Further it is not known that there were any residents in town when the Wright family came in the fall of 1837.
Two brothers, James and Francis Blood, arrived the same fall, and located themselves near Wright.
Of these pioneers of Alpine, Solomon Wright, 2d, is the only one remaining in the town. In his goodly mansion on the south line of the town; he has long enjoyed the respect of the community, where he has had a leading influence. Adverse fortune has come upon him, but if the good wishes of the peo- ple could carry him through, his house will again be one where genial hospitality and good companionship will win and perpetuate good will.
The old gentleman-Solomon, Sr .- was never an active man in the region. He was a scholar rather than a business man. He died at a good old age, August, 1853.
Noadiah C. (Dutch.) Why everybody knows Dutch Wright. We say " Dutch," for he has so long borne that name, that should you say " Noadiah " he would not mistrust he was meant. Ile signs his name " N. C. Wright," but it is question- able whether he would not have to refresh his memory by look- ing at the family Bible, before confidentially telling what "N. C." stands for. He lives in a big honse, paid for with money which came of his understanding " horse." That beast he does understand; and he conceives a most profound respect for a man who can cheat him in a horse trade. As an example: A man in Grand Rapids was in possession of an otherwise good-looking horse, that was blind. One day a bright thought came into his head-he would go and put a drive on Dutch Wright. So, fortifying himself, he harnessed his nag into his wagon, and leisurely drove along to the " Wright settlement." At the same time Dutch had a very good-looking horse, that he was anxious to get rid of, for reasons not now known. As the city fellow was leisurely and meditatively driving by Wright's farm, Wright was plowing by the side of the road, with his worthless beanty and a plain, valuable beast for a team. Being slightly acquainted, both stopped, discussed the weather, the last political news, etc. In the meantime, Wright con-
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ceived and suggested a horse-trade. to which the city chap seemed entirely indifferent. Wright finally offered him either one of his team: not doubting which he would take. The offer was accepted, and the exehinge made, to the infinite chagrin of Wright, when he saw him take the plain horse. Mentally, he soliloquized: " That man is not so green as I sup- posed; he understands " horse." The city man departed, and the farmer soon found that his new acquisition " though having eyes. saw not." Did he get mad? Not he. He threw up his hat, and shoated himself hoarse; then sat down on a stone, and laughed until tears came into his eyes. Calming himself by degrees, in measured tones he said: " I have found the genins at last: I have found my master; I have found the man who can cheat Dutch Wright in a horse-trade. By the "Hoke- fenoke and the living Jinges! I'm his friend forever !! " He sought out the genius, and they consecrated the beginning of the warmest friendship by copious libations at Wright's ex- pense. Speak evil of that man. or intimate that he is not a genius-the king of "horse men," and look out for the " Dutch" of Wright.
James Blood died in Walker, and his brother Francis sold out after a time and moved away.
We learn of no accessions until 1840. This year brought John Coffee from Ohio, with Richard Goding, Jacob Snyder, a German; John Plattee, Turner Hills, and Noel Hopkins.
Turner Hills was a Vermonter. IIe came with his wife and family to Grand Rapids in 1838. In 1840, he took up forty acres of land, near where now is the hotel in Alpine. That he had slender means is indicated by his taking up so little land. He cut his own road more than two miles. At that time there was no settler in the east part of the town. Ile lied in 1842, after having fairly made a beginning, leaving fonr sons and a daughter; and one who remained his widow -" Mother Hills" -- until her death, in 1873. A word for this noble woman. She united native good sense with great infor- mation-was one of the "oracles " of the town; her opinion valued, and her chameter spoken of as combining in its elements all that is noble and womanly. She was the coun-
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selor of the old and young; and she died at a good old age, with the blessings of the community, and the veneration of the family she had reared. As a matter of course, her fami- ly was not a failure. The time has not come to speak freely of them; as they are living, and not silver-grey with age. Let them work awhile longer, and fulfill the destiny marked out for them by a wise mother.
The individual who pens these lines, always makes his most reverent how to a crise mother. God bless a mother, anyway. But when she is good and wise, she needs no praying for; she is a fountain of blessings herself; and happy are the children who call her " mother."
The Catholic church first " sainted " and afterwards deified the abstract idea of a good mother, under the name of " Mary:" and it was the best thing that church ever did-it sanctified . the holiest idea; and taught people to love, to reverence, and to worship purity, goodness and motherhood as divine; and when combined, to deify that idea.
The writer is no Catholic. But, " heretic" and " sinner" as he is, he does feel that, in advancing the purified idea of " Mary" to the rank of an object of worship, the Catholics have given to religion a purifying influence; they have sanctified virtne, and thrown a charm around it; a charm which will aid in purifying the hearts of the votaries of the church. Not be- lieving the dogma, still we say, " Blessed is its spirit; and with the Catholic idea, blessed is Mary."
We were never made for the pulpit, and therefore think there was wisdom in our not taking to it as a profession. We cannot stick to a text, but are continually flying off in a tan- gent. An idea strikes us, and off we go, until we find our- selves we scarce know where. But we'll come back to Alpine.
The few succeeding years are mingled in the minds of the "old settlers," and they will be here jumbled together.
Thompson Casson is to be noticed, who came in '42, and died in '48. He was a good-hearted, public-spirited, intelli- gent and moral Scotchman; a natural leader; a good specimen of a man. He had not secured fortune, but he died with the respect of all. When a good man dies, all feel it; but at the death of a human animal tears are scarce.
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In 1843, came John Cathcart. In 1850, he was stabbed by a neighbor under the influence of liquor, and died in conse- quence. The man was sent to prison. About the same time came Jolin Haire, who has since been seen, heard and felt at Georgetown, Ottawa county. Also Stephen Coon, who died in 1850. Three sons of his are now respectable physicians in Lisbon and Casnovia. Coon could not have been a very bad man, or he had a good wife.
Here, too, may be mentioned Henry Church, who still lives in the north of Alpine.
In June, 1844, came " Uncle Edward Wheeler," -- the first supervisor of the town-everybody's " unele." Wheeler is an old man now, and we will talk about him. He is a great pet. The children hail him, "Uncle Wheeler, ain't you going to give us a kiss?" "Give me the first one!" The genial old soul loves everybody, and everybody loves him. When he dies there will be a big funeral, and many eyes will be dim. God bless your genial old soul, Uncle Ed.
Wheeler, when he came, had a family, and some money. He bought 160 acres of land, which, paying in State serip, cost him $104.50. A brother-in-law, Harry Wilder, came with him, who bought 40 acres of land of Wheeler, and paid for it by cutting down eight acres. (Land is not so paid for in Alpine, now.) Wilder died in 1858; a good man and devoted Chris- tian.
At this date we find, also, Baltus Shafter, Joseph Kipler. Casper Cordes, Moses Runslell, Sherman M. Pearsall, Harvey Monroe, Francis Groonly, Henry Porter, P. Fox, John Avery, Robert Delmar, Henry and Lorenzo Dennison, Philip Cum- mings and his sons, and perhaps some more. Greenly was killed by lightning. At this time (1844), Wm. II. Withey had a mill on Mill Creek.
Alpine was long identified with Walker. She was slow to claim to be of age, and lived contentedly as " North Walker " until 1847. Then, in April, she held her first election, at the school-house in the southeast corner of the town.
The first officers were: Supervisor, Edward Wheeler; Clerk, (. D. Schenick; Treasurer, Casper Cordes; Justices, Win. H. Withey, John Coffee, John Colton, John Tuxbury.
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The name was singularly chosen, and is not the most appro- priate. Every town is apt to have a dictatorial voice; and the north half of Walker had its man who must dictate. He de- cided that the pine trees of the east part of the township should furnish the name; and his poetie genius conceived and brought forth the name-" All Pine." In the name of the whole, he decided that the infant town should be so baptized. Mrs. Hills, seeing that " All Pine" was destined to be the name, suggested that one "1" should be dropped, and the two words condensed into one, which would still preserve the " pine," and be more musical. A sly twinkle was in her eye, as die- tator said, "That's jist the thing."
The tourist will look in vain for its " towering heights" and "beetling erag's" where "leaps the live thunder." He will come prepared with alpenstock, to scale the snow-crowned and rocky heights-to trace the glacier in the mountain defile, or to dodge the avalanche. But, wandering, he finds a region fair and smooth as a lady's cheek; and, disgusted, he calls ont to a passing denizen: "Where are your Alpine heights, and your Alpine vales?" Citizen Hills, for such is he, says to him: "Have you no poetry in your soul? Can you not conceive mountain scenery, and enjoy the idea? Are you so prosaic as to see only tame reality?"
By this time the disgusted traveler has put distance between himself and Hills. Nevertheless, the spirit of poetry is on IIollis, and he apostrophises:
"Ye crags and peaks, I'm with you once again,"
et cetera, et cetera, and so forth; until, in a fine glow of poetic rapture, he extemporises :
Time was when Indians was scalpin' One another, up here in Alpine.
The remainder is unwritten.
Situated, as the town mostly is, in the best land in Michigan, it is no wonder that thrift and wealth abound; that goodly resi- dences and and noble farms are the rule and not the exception. The land was mostly taken on State warrants, when land was
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lying around loose, " all sprawled about," and hardly considered a thing of value. "Times change, and we change with them." The men who joined issue with the "heavy timber" now rest from their labors, either in their graves, or in their otium cum dignitate, which, translated by a college student, means, " smoke their pipes and oversee." A few, like Buck, Murray and Pearsall, don't know when they are rich enough, and work from habit. But most of the old fellows look on their broad aeres, and let the boys do the work.
There are two churches in the town, the Baptist and the Catholic.
ADA.
Ada was authorized by the Legislature to commence exist- ence as a town in 1838. Its limits were the present town of Ada, and what are now Cascade and Caledonia. It received its name from a little child of the town, "Ada Smith"- daughter of the first settler, Sidney Smith-now the wife of James Miller, Esq., of Grand Rapids.
The lands pre-empted at Ada were mostly river bottoms, some of the best land in the country. Titles could not be ob- tained until 1839. Some improvements had been made; the block-house tavern, long known as the Withey house, had been built.
When the lands were sold, several persons secured large tracts.
Rix Robinson, by favor of the Indians, by the treaty, had some 600 acres.
Loan and Perry Hill secured 600 acres on the right bank of the river two miles below the bridge.
Rhodes, 500 acres, now known by his name.
Lucius Lyon, 1,000 or so along the Thornapple and where is the village of Ada.
Charles Robinson pre-empted below the Rhodes place; Rix Church in the same region.
Torrey Smith, two miles above the bridge, on the right bank of the river; Simeon D. Holt above Smith.
John and Wm. Spenec, next below the Pettis farm, where is the school house.
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Rix Robinson, as an Indian Trader, came to the Grand River in 1821, and established several trading posts, making his central place with the Indians at Ada. Being a person without rights, and at the sufferance of the Indians, he can scarcely be called for many years a settler, but rather a so- journer. He was, in reality, the pioneer of the Valley. He identified himself with the Indians for purposes of trade. When the land was opened for settlement he became a settler with others. As he will be the subject of a special artiele, no . more will be said of him here.
Sidney Smith is reported to have been the first after Robin- son who took up his abode in this town. His residence was a short distance west of the Ada Bridge.
The real settlement fairly commenced in 1836. In 1837, we find John Spence, William Spence, Edward Pettis, Ed- ward Robinson, with a large family of sons; John W. Fiske, Gen. Withey, Digby V. Bell, Zerra Whitney, Torrey Smith, A. H. Riggs, Putnam Hill, Elias Crow, Enoch Priee, Minos Gypson, Rix Church, Lot Church, Charles Robinson, Win. Slauson, Perry Hill, Loan Hill.
Enoch Price and Elias Crow took lands near Pettis.
Pettis located by a fine spring on the bottom lands, where he now lives.
Minos Gypson was Pettis' neighbor.
Edward Robinson located below Rix Robinson.
Very early in the history of the town, they saw that at the mouth of the Thornapple was the place for a city, or a village. at least. Accordingly, and in the spirit of the times, a village was platted, and the lots were sold for tares, until all was ab- sorbed in the farms surrounding-no one owning a village. When the D. & M. Railroad established their depot there, and Clement put up mills on the Thornapple, in 1853, it be- came self-evident that a village must be there. A portion of land on both sides of the Thornapple was laid out, and a snug little place has grown up-this time on the ground and not on paper. Before that time there had been the nuclens of a village on the other side of the river. There they had a store, the school-house, blacksmith shop and several houses.
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A bridge was at an early day built by the State, which fell in 1852, with several men on it at the time. None, however, were killed. The present toll-bridge was built in 1853; it is now free.
In 1854, the second school-house was built near where stands the school-house of to-day. It was a very respectable wooden structure. Moses Everett, then recently from New York, a teacher by profession, was first placed in charge. Abont 1870, the second house having become too small to accommodate the rising village, the present brick house was built, and the school opened in it.
Two churches, Baptist and Methodist, attest the interest of the people in religious observances; and the snug houses and business places the thrift of the pleasant village.
Ada had its Indian band; their planting ground was on both sides of the Thornapple, at its month. A small band of them, at the time of the extinction of the Indian title, located themselves on the left bank of the river some miles below, where the Catholics established a mission. These Indians, under wise leadership, became civilized; had as good farms as their neighbors; as good houses, cattle and crops. They, how- ever, broke up and went to the reservations at Pentwater. This settlement was known as "Boshaw's," so called from a French half-breed, who was influential amongst them.
By the way, the Catholics civilize the Indians. Their mis- sionaries do not rely simply on preaching the Gospel; they do not try to do all at once; have patience, and succeed; while Protestant zeal has generally resulted in lowering the charac- ter of their missions. Protestant zeal has over-shot itself, not being directed by wisdom.
The Protestant missionary has aimed, in the first place, to " convert" the Indians, and is satisfied if he can see them pray- ing and singing. He indoctrinates them in a theology they cannot understand, and numbers his "converts." The Catholic, on the contrary, shows the Indian the advantages of civilized life, of agriculture and the arts; and not by bold attack, but in a sidelong way, introduces his religion. The In- dian is cool-headed, and the Catholic does not try to wake in
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him religious enthusiasm. He works coolly; gains slowly; and soon has the satisfaction of seeing his Indians what he wanted them to be-civilized men and the adherents of his church. Cannot Protestants learn a lesson from them? The Protestant, on the contrary, tries first to make them the adherents of his church, and hopes and expects that civiliza- tion will follow. The result with the Indians has not been what the Protestant hoped and prayed for.
Perhaps no man has lived there whose influence was more felt than that of Mr. Perkins, who bought 600 acres or more of land at the month of the Thornapple in 1852. This land. and the other lands around it had been cultivated on the " skin- ning" principle until the owners, conquered by the weeds, had taken down their fences and thrown their fields into common. Perkins knew the advantage of running the plow more than four inches deep. He fenced these abandoned commons; put in and put down the plow; and showed the first year his 100 bushels of corn, and his 40 bushels of wheat to the acre. This one lesson he taught the people of Ada. "The gold lies deep in the ground;" and by that one lesson he doubled the value of the town. Now, Perkins was not a saint, but he was the farmer who taught Ada the real value of their lands, and " civilized" their farming. It is strange that while the pro- phetic bullfrog is always calling out to the farmer " Beam deep!" he does little more than scratch the surface, and seldom gets more than fifteen bushels of wheat to the acre; when "bean deep" gives 40! If you plough your ground with one horse, one horse can carry off the crop. About ten years ago the writer was talking with a farmer in Ada-a man, by the way, who knew more of a good many other things then he did of farming.
This man said his "land was poor; " he could get no good crops from it; and was told in reply: "Your farm, sir, is one of good capabilities; it is good land; but I am afraid you do not know how to persuade it to give its crops." The farmer sold that land to one who had before raised forty bushels of wheat to the acre; and, as he knew what " beam deep" means, he is getting rich from off his excellent farm. These farms want a
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good deal of severe discipline. When one has put his farm under proper discipline, it is cheering to see how happy he looks about harvest time. I wish I owned one thousand acres of the Ada bottom lands, and knew how to cultivate them ! Then I would get my wife a gold watch, and my daughter a piano.
At a very early period, Ada was one of the stopping places : and a block-house tavern was kept by J. W. Fiske, and after- wards by Gen. Withey. That house did service as a tavern until as late as 1855, and like Yankee Springs Hotel, was fa- mous. Fiske, the first keeper, now resides in the town of Grand Rapids, near where he won a name in another log- house, and where he built a fine brick hotel by the lake, that bears his name.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI. BY REV. E. BOOTH.
Congregational Church of Cascade, organized Sept. 24, 1849, with nine members, viz:
G. G. Bailey, J. A. Barker, Christina Dennison, E. R. Dennison, Delia G. Bailey, Hezekiah Howell, Margaret Howell, Caroline Barker, Charles Coger.
The whole number who have joined up to this date is 92. Number died and dismissed, 46. Leaving present membership, 46.
Rev. R. J. Hess preached for the church about three years, after which there were no services except occasional preaching by Rev. E. Prince, until Aug., 1851, when Rev. J. Ballard became pastor, and continued three years. In Aug., 1860, the church took the name, " Congregational Church of Ada," and the place of meeting was changed to the village of Ada.
In Oct., 1863, Rev. N. K. Evarts commenced preaching, and continued three years. He was followed, in Feb., 1867, by Rev. D. L. Eaton, who also preached three years, occupying the Baptist church. In March, 1870, Rev. E. Booth commenced preaching, and has continued until the present time.
In 1871, the church commenced building a house of worship, which was completed, furnished and dedicated Jan. 10, 1872.
The house is 32 by 50. 18 feet high, Gothic style, frame cased with brick. and cost-including lot, horse-sheds, bell, stoves, carpets and cushions-about 83.100. This sum was raised by the people of the place, with the aid of $300 from Congregational Union, and about $500 from friends abroad and neighboring churches.
Mrs Margaret Howell is the only one remaining of the original members of the church.
The church is now free from debt, and in prosperous condition,
A BIT OF CHURCH HISTORY.
On a recent anniversary occasion the Rev. E. Booth, the
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worthy pastor of the Ada Congregational Church, preached a sermon from which the following facts are gleaned:
On the 24th of September, 1849, the Congregational Church of Cascade was organized with nine members-G. G. Bailey, Jesse A. Barker, Christina Dennison, E. R. Dennison, Delia G. Bailey, Hezekiah Howell, Margaret Howell, Caroline Bar- ker, Chas. Coger. Of these only one-Margaret Howell- remains in connection with the church. In April, 1860, the place of meeting of the church was changed to the village of Ada, and the name was changed to " Congregational Church of Ada," which name it still bears. The church met in the school-house and afterward in the Baptist church. In the fall of the year, 1870, it was decided to build a house of worship. With some assistance from friends at home and abroad, thé effort was successful, and on the 10th of January, 1872, a neat house was dedicated, costing, with its furniture, bell, horse- shed, etc., $3,100. Since that time the church has taken a new lease of life, and its prospects are brighter than ever before.
During the quarter century of its existence, the church has enjoyed three revivals; ninety-two names have been placed on its roll of members. Forty-five of these are still in connection with the church. As far as known, only five have died. The church has had five acting pastors-Rov. R. J. HLess, from 1849 to 1852; Rev. J. Ballard, from 1859 to 1863; Rev. N. K. Evarts, from 1863 to 1867; Rev. D. L. Eaton, from 1867 to 1870; Rev. E. Booth, from 1870 to 1875. The intervals of this service have been supplied more or less by transient preachers.
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