USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 2
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GETTING EXTRAVAGANT.
In 1836, Jefferson Morrison, having been successful in busi- ness, having been elected Judge of Probate, and, more than all, being about to get married-built him a house. He ever afterwards, with tears of humble penitence, ealled it " Morri- son's Folly." Everything was high, but he must have a fine house; so a house he built; finished it in style, and seriously embarrassed himself by so doing; run himself in debt $5,000. This house was near the junction of Monroe and Ottawa streets. where now stands a block of stores. To show the change in the fancy value of real estate: he sold that house to Mr. Cam- pan for $6,000, and took his pay in lots at $1,500 each; and which, in the crash that followed, he could hardly sell for $150. This same house, as good as new, was afterwards bought by Capt. Gunnison for $700. Time did not work a greater change in the valnation of that property, than it did in the other real estate.
In 1837, the first newspaper in the Valley was started-the Grand River Times. It was edited by George W. Pattison, who was also its proprietor. The first impression of it is pre- sumed to be in existence now. That impression was made on cloth, and presented to Louis Campan, and always by him sacredly preserved. In that paper, bearing date "April 18th, 1837," the editor announces his intentions in a modest saluta- tory, and states that the regular issne will be deferred until the 29th. It was then an enterprise to issue that sheet. The place was a mushroom frontier village, and Pattison had no golden prospects before him, when he sent out his comely lit- tle sheet. The leading article is here given:
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MEMORIALS OF THE
" THE ROCHESTER OF MICHIGAN " IN 1837.
[From the Grand River Times, April 18, 1837.]
Though young in its improvements, the site of this village has long been known and esteemed for its natural advantages. It was here that the Indian Traders long since made their grand depot. It was at this point that the missionary herald established his institution of learning-taught the forest child the beauty of civilization, and inestimable benefits of the Christian re- ligion. This has been the choicest, dearest spot to the unfortunate Indian, and now is the pride of the white man. Like other villages of the West, its transition from the savage to a civilized state, has been as sudden, as its prospects are now flattering.
Who would have believed, to have visited tlris place two years since, when it was only inhabited by a few families, most of whom were of French origin, a people so eminent for exploring the wilds and meandering rivers, that this place would now contain its twelve hundred inhabitants? Who would have imagined that thus rapid would have been the improvement of this romantic place? The rapidity of its settlement is beyond the most visionary anticipation: but its location, its advantages, and its clime, were sufficient to satisfy the observing mind, that nothing but the frown of Providence could blast its prospects !
The river upon which this town is situated, is one of the most important and delightful to be found in the country - not important and beautiful alone for its clear, silver-like water winding its way through a romantic valley of some hundred miles, but for its width and depth, its susceptibility for steam navigation, and the immense hydraulic power afforded, at this point.
We feel deeply indebted to our Milwaukee friends for their Incid descrip- tion of the advantages to be derived from a connection of the waters of this river with those of Detroit, by canal or railroad. A canal is nearly completed around the Rapids at this place, sufficiently large to admit boats to pass up and down, with but little detention. Several steamboats are now preparing to commence regular trips from Lyons, at the mouth of the Maple River, to this place, a distance of sixty miles; and from this to Grand Haven, a dis- tance of thirty-five or forty miles; thence to Milwaukee and Chicago.
Thus the village of Grand Rapids, with a navigable stream-a water power of twenty-five feet fall-an abundance of crude building materials-stone of excellent quality-pine, oak and other timber in immense quantities within its vicinity, can but flourish-can but be the Rochester of Michigan! The basement story of an extensive mill, one hundred and sixty by forty feet, is now completed; a part of the extensive machinery is soon to be put in ope- ration. There are now several dry good and grocery stores-some three or four public houses-one large church erected, and soon to be finished in good style, upon the expense of a single individual, who commenced business a few years ago. by a small traffic with the Indians. Such is the encourage- ment to Western pioneers! The village plat is upon a bold bank of the river. extending back upon an irregular plain, some eighty to a hundred rods. to rising bluffs, from the base and sides of which some of the most pure, crystal- like fountains of water burst out in boiling springs, pouring forth streams that murmur over their pebbly bottoms, at once a delight to the eye, and an invaluable luxury to the thirsty palato.
New England may surpass this place with her lofty mountains, but not with her greatest boast-purity and clearness of water. Our soil is sandy, and mostly dry. The town is delightful, whether you view it from the plain, upon the banks of the river, or from the bluffs that overlook the whole sur- rounding country. To ascend these bluffs, you take a gradual rise to the height of a hundred feet, when the horizon only limits the extent of vision. The scenery to an admirer of beautiful landscape is truly picturesque and ro-
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GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
mantic. Back, east of the town. is seen a wide-spread plain of burr-oak, at. once easy to cultivate, and inviting to the agriculturalist. Turning west- ward, especially at the setting of the sun, you behold the most enchanting prospect-the din of the ville below-the broad sheet of water murmur- ing over the Rapids-the sunbeams dancing upon its swift gliding ripples- the glassy river at last losing itself in its distant meanderings, presents a scenery that awakes the most lively emotions. But the opposite shore, upon which you behold a rich, fertile plain, still claims no small amount of admira- tion. Near the bank of the river is seen the little rude village of the more civilized Indians-their uncouth framed dwellings-their little churches and their mound-like burying places. The number and size of the mounds which mark the spot where lies the remains of the prond warrior, and the more humble of his untamed tribe, too plainly tell the endearments of that lovely plain to the native aborigines, and how quick the mind will follow the train of associations to by-gone days, and contrast these reflections with present appearances. Thus we see the scenes of savage life, quickly spread upon the broad canvas of the imagination-the proud chieftain seated, and his tribe surrounding the council fires-the merry war-dance-the wild amnse- ments of the "red man of the forest," and as soon think of their present unhappy condition ; the bright flame of their lighted piles has been extin- guished, and with it has faded the keen, expressive brilliancy of the will man's eye! Their lovely Washtenang, upon which their light canoes have so long glided, is now almost deserted!
It is from this point, too, that you can see in the distance the evergreen tops of the lofty pine, waving in majesty above the sturdy oak, the beech and maple. presenting to the eye a wild, undulating plain, with its thousand charms. Such is the location, the beanties and the advantages of this youth- ful town. The citizens are of the most intelligent, enterprising and indus- trious character. Their buildings are large, tasty and handsomely furnished -the clatter of mallet and chisel-the clink of hammers-t e many newly raised and recently covered frames-and the few skeleton boats upon the wharves of the river, speak loudly for the enterprise of the place! Mechan- ies of all kinds find abundance of employ, and reap a rich reward for their labor. Village property advances in value, and the prospect of wealth is alike flattering to all! What the result of such advantages and prospects will be, time alone must determine.
But a view of this place and its vicinity, where we find a rich and fertile soil, watered with the best of springs, and enjoying as we do a salubrious climate, a healthful atmosphere, and the choicest gifts of a benign Benefac- tor, would satisfy almost any one that this will soon be a bright star in the constellation of Western villages. Such, gentle reader, is a faint description of the place from which our paper hails-from which, we hope, will emanate matter as pleasing and interesting, as the town is beautiful and inviting!
BALL'S STATEMENT.
The following communication was sent by the Hon. JOHN BALL to the " Old Settlers' Association." Being a man who has always moved with his eyes in his head, it is specially val- nable. To relieve it from the charge of egotism, it is but proper to say, that the design of the communication was to give a sketch of his own personal relations to the Grand River Valley in early times :
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MEMORIALS OF THE
" Having resided some years at Troy and Lansingburg, N. Y., in that year of speculation, 1836, I entered into a contract with Dr. T. C. Brinsmaid, Dr. F. B. Leonard, Mr. J. E. Whip- ple, and a Mr. Webster, of those places, to go West, and in- vest for them, on speculation, so much money as they would supply, for I had none. The talk was, some sixty or eighty thousand dollars; but, from the change of times, it ended at about ten thousand. I was to operate in any of the Western (not slave) States; buy and sell in my own name, and receive for my services one-fourth of the profits. So, in September of that year I left Troy, and came to Detroit. There I was offered city property, but prices seeming high, I concluded that gov- ernment broad acres would be a surer thing than corner-lots. From what I learned there and what I had learned before, I made up my mind that the Grand River district was the promised land, or at least the most promising one for my operations. So I purchased a horse, and mounting him, I started ont through mud which I found so deep that I was unable to trot him until I got to Ypsilanti. I reached Ann Arbor the first day, where I fell in with some New York State acquaintances, traveling the same way. The next day we arrived at Jacksonburg (as it was then called), and the next at
JOIN BALL.
Mr. Ball was born in a little log cabin on Tenney's Hill, in Hebron, N. H., Nov. 12, 1794, He was the youngest of ten children. His early years were passed out of society, with no school advantages except such as were afforded by a winter school of about two months. Liking books better than hard work on the farm, and feeling that if he had a chance he could be something more than a poor plodding being, he became impatient, and importuned his father to let him go away to school. Consent was obtained, and for a time he studied with a clergyman, who had a few pupils. Here he pursued Eng- lish studies with great diligence, so that after a few months his teacher set him to studying Latin.
Religiously trained at home, he, at the early age of twelve years, became skeptical, thoughtful and an independent thinker. He must see and realize for himself. The result has been with him as with thousands of others not anchored in unquestioning faith, he has ever been the prey of doubts and fears-uncertain, as all will be, who, by searching, try to find out God. Under the kindly encouragement of his teacher, he resolved to concentrate all his energies upon the one great object-an education. He fitted for col-
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Marshall. From there, going to Kalamazoo, I met for the first time one Mr. Robert S. Parks. I then urged my friends to continue their journey with me north, but they declined, saying they were unwilling to risk their lives and health by going any further into the woods. Having roughed it some before that time, it sounded to me rather unmanly. Having bid good-bye to my traveling companions, the next day I mounted my pony and started, without any special fear and trembling, alone.
When I left Troy, at the urgent request of my friends I pur- chased a pair of pistols, and put them in my trunk. I left them in my trunk at Detroit, not wishing the trouble of carry- ing them, though I had considerable gold in my saddlebags. Everybody then carried money, and traveled on highways and by-ways; stopped by dozens in the same log cabins, and slept in the same common garret; thrusting their saddlebags and packages loosely under their beds, and perhaps leaving them there for days, though heavy with specie-for then only specie bought government lands. Still there were no robberies heard of. Nevertheless, it must be confessed, in bargaining, people did not always show themselves saints without guile.
I came on through Gull Prairie, where were a few settlers; and found no more until I arrived at Yankee Springs. There I stopped and enjoyed Lewis' ronsing fire, and partook of his
lege at Salisbury Academy, living in the most economical way, and support- ing himself as best he could. He entered Dartmouth College, and like thousands of other poor, but energetic boys, went through, helping himself by teaching and work, and by the backing of some friends. And here let the writer say, that any young man who has a mind worth educating, can educate himself. His character and his energy will open the way. Knowl- edge is not locked from the poor; it is from the indifferent.
After graduating, he went to Lansingburg, N. Y., where he taught school -studied law for two years. Then he started out to seek his fortune; went to Darien, Georgia. Was wrecked on the passage, but fortunately all but one got ashore with their lives. At Darien he kept a private school. The next summer he returned to New York, resumed the study of law; and in due time was admitted to practice.
He was soon after elected Justice of the Peace at Lansingburg. The death of his brother-in-law necessitated the abandonment of legal practice, and his devotion to the interests of the estate for two years.
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MEMORIALS OF TIIE
wife's good cheer, as many of you have done. Continuing my journey, the next day I came to Mr. Leonard's, on the Thorn- apple, and observing some books drying in the sun, I was in- formed that the day before the stage wagon had spilled its bag- gage while crossing the river, and that the trunk containing these books was not at the time recovered; that it belonged to a Mr. Johnson, a lawyer, who was bound to Grand Rapids. This was Simeon Johnson, whom every old settler well remembers. I forded the river without wetting my boots. But then I did not go through that deep hole into which some sinners, for sport, one time led their fellow travelers.
Being bound for Ionia, on arriving at the McNaughton place, on the Little Thornapple, I took what was called the F'lat River trail, which led to the Grand River at what is now . Lowell. Arriving there, I stopped with Mr. Marsac, an In- dian Trader, brother of our late worthy Mrs. Louis Campan. This was my arrival in the Grand River Valley, and the 14th day of October, 1836. Marsac and the Robinsons, at the mouth of the Thornapple, were the only people between Grand Rapids and Ionia. But soon after, Lewis Robinson settled at the month of Flat River, and Mr. Daniels and others in Ver- gennes.
The next day I went up the trail on the north side of the river to Ionia, and put up with Mr. Yeomans, since known as
Free once more, with a restless longing to visit other regions, in conjune- tion with a gentleman from Boston, he set out in the spring of 1832, for Oregon. On their overland journey they joined a party of mountain fur-traders at Independence. In this route, Mr. Ball passed over the same region that Fremont had the honor of exploring ten years later. On his return, at the re- quest of Prof. Silliman, he gave the result of his observations in a series of articles in the Journal of Science. These articles were considered an impor- tant contribution to geographical science. Mr. Ball has not, as he should have done, vindicated his priority to Fremont.
He spent a year in Washington Territory, in the winter teaching the half- breeds at Fort Vancouver, and the next summer in starting a farm. He got tired of farming, sold his erops to the fur company, went to California, and from there to the Sandwich Islands-" Restless ever; ever roving."
Having seen what was worth seeing among the Islands of the Pacific, cruising awhile on a whaler, he turned himself homeward, and we find him soon in the Grand River Valley.
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GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
"Judge," who was then living in his original cabin. There I again met with Mr. Parks, and, as was no unusual thing then, occupied the same common room or chamber with him and his wife. There were many visiting the land office there, so every honse and place was full, and there were so many pur- chasers, that Mr. Hutchinson, the receiver, soon took in silver to the amount of his bail, and had to shut up the office, and cart the silver through the woods to Detroit.
Having nothing else to do, a fellow boarder, Mr. Anderson, and myself mounted our horses, and put out to look for pine lands down in Ottawa, and came the first day to Grand Rapids. This was my first visit. We pat up at the Eagle Tavern, then the only one in the place, and kept by Win. Godfroy. It was then November, the nights coll, the house not plastered, the house full-two in a bed. When the lights were out, I heard from all quarters, bitter complaints of bed fellows that they pulled the clothes off; not just understanding that the cover- ings being narrow Indian blankets, if a man covered himself, he uncovered his neighbor. I rather enjoyed the complaining.
The next morning we rode down to Grandville before break- fast. There being no tavern, we were directed to Mr. Charles Oakes for accommodations. They answered that they could feed our horses, but not us; but after urging our necessities, Mrs. Oakes was moved to compassion, and gave us a cup of
As his history subsequently is given in the valuable contribution from his pen on the early times, which here appears, we will summarily dismiss Mr. Ball.
He has gone through a long life with his eyes open; has traveled exten- sively in Europe and America; has been a close observer of men and of na- ture; has in an uncommon degree won the confidence of those who have known him, and now at the advanced age of 82, is erect and athlectic in per- son, and with intellectual powers unshaken by age, is still the careful ob- server and student of nature.
He has always been characterized by the youthfulness of his feelings, and by his love for, and interest in, the young. With them he has always been the genial associate and wise counsellor. Known as " Honest John Ball,' he has made his mark on the financial, social, educational and moral interests of the Grand River Valley. He, in independent, cheerful age, is biding his time. He has the happiness of knowing that he is appreciated, and of feel- ing that he has good years of life still before him.
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MEMORIALS OF THE
good coffee. But then we wanted something to carry into the woods, and were told that there was nothing to be had in the village; but that on our way a Mr. Ketchum was building a mill, and there we could get plenty. But on arriving there. where Jennison's planing mill now is, they informed us that all they had was some flour and beef. So we waited until they baked a loaf of bread, which we took, and some of the uncooked beef; put into the woods, and took our course to a point where we had some vague information there was pine timber. This brought us, at dark, into the south part of what is now the town of Blendon, and we camped on a branch of the Black River. During the night, we heard the deer tramping abont ns in the leaves, attracted, probably, by the fire; and the wolves, as usual, howling in the distance. The next morning we ex- plored about for a time, but not finding what we were looking for, we turned to come out, for we had taken but one day's pro- visions. But after a time we found ourselves in the midst of a fine tract of pine timber, and immediately turned away to see its extent, and under the excitement kept on until dark. Then we lay down without supper, in order to have something for breakfast. On waking in the morning, we found our blankets covered with snow, and being still in the pines, we avere unwil- ling to give it up until we had explored still further. We finally struck down towards the river, expecting to find some road leading out, but there was none. We met some Indians on the river, and offered them three dollars to bring us up to Grandville in their canoes. But they declined, and we tramped on, over bluff's and through swamps, till dark; kindled a fire with our last match, and lay down, hungry and weary. The next morning we got out to Grandville about 9 o'clock, and succeeded in getting something to eat, notwithstanding the scarcity. As yet nothing had been raised in Kent county or Ottawa, and nothing like a supply in Ionia; and all had to be brought by way of the Lakes from Buffalo or Cleveland. But we had not explored the lands minutely enough for purchasing. So. a short time after, my man, his son and myself, with a tent and better outfit, went in again, and spent two or three days. Giving them quite a bonus for their interest in the lands, I
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GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
entered the whole tract, 41 eighty-acre lots, in my own name -- the same lands from which the Blendon Company, long after- wards, lumbered. This company were the Messrs. Brinsmaid, Leonard and Whipple, mentioned before as furnishing the cap- ital with which I operated. Finding the prospects of profit so small, I had before given them a deed of the lands, charging nothing for my services. Speculation No. 1.
I was little at Grand Rapids the first fall and winter I was in the State. But at one time, when there, I went up through the mud and among the stumps, to Bridge street, where Mr. C'oggershall lived, and met a man at an office west of his house, and asked him the price of lots. He-it was Judge Almy- answered, that on Canal and Kent streets they were $50 a front foot, or $2,500 a lot. I did not invest, and made no for- ther inquiry about lots in Grand Rapids.
One time, in the winter, I was at Grandville, wishing to look for lands farther down the river, a Mr. White and some other Grand Haven men there invited me to go down the river on the ice with them. They had a cutter, and the ice being smooth, we all rode. Arriving at Grand Haven, I stopped at Mr. Luke White's, where I got acquainted with T. D. Gilbert. Esq., Rev. Mr. Ferry, Mr. Troop, Capt. White, and most of the then few inhabitants of the place. I then employed a half-breed man, a brother of Mrs. Oakes, to go with me into the woods, though it was mid-winter and the snow knee-deep. We went out south, to and up the creek that falls into Port Sheldon Lake, and so, about the woods for four or five days, and came out at the month of the Bass River. When night came on, we encamped in the lee of some fallen tree, scraped away the snow, collected hemlock bonghs for a bed, built up a rousing fire, and made ourselves very comfortable. But it was by the skill of my companion, for he was an old hunter, and knew well how to make camp. But I found no land that I thought it an object to purchase, so I came up to Grandville, and went out into what is now Byron. When there, Mr. Na- than Boynton, with his brothers, Perry and William, as board- ers, were the only inhabitants. There I found some 1,000 acres of good farming land, which I bought. I think Mr. Os-
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MEMORIALS OF THE
good and Mr. Blake had then came to Grandville, and were keeping the first tavern there.
I passed part of the winter at Detroit, going and returning by different routes. One time I went directly south from lonia, on a trail to Marshall, passing through Vermontville and Bellevue; stopped at the former place over night, finding there only three families. At Detroit I met Capt. Victor Harris, and told him about the Grand River country. Gov. Mason, Mr. Schoolcraft, with his half-breed wife, and many members of the Legislature, boarded at the American, where I had taken up my quarters. Judge Almy was the member from the Grand River district.
They legislated boldly that winter; passed the law for mak- ing the $5,000,000 loan; for the survey of three railroads and two canals across the State; and the general wild-cat banking law.
One day I was walking along Jefferson avenue, and over- took two boys talking, and there was the discharge of a cannon. One boy said to the other, "Now, Michigan is a State." And so it was. They were firing at the news of its admission. just from Washington. This was in February. But though just admitted, it had been running on its own account from October, 1835; had had the Toledo war, and all that. Finally she submitted, and took the Upper Peninsula.
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