USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 36
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GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
School on the West side became one of the secondary schools.
With a brief statement of the present status of the school, gathered from the Annual Report for 1876, this article will be closed:
SCHOOL HOUSES, WITH THEIR CAPACITY AND COST.
No. rooms. 21
Cost.
Seats.
Central. on Lyon Street.
$35,000
600
Union, " Turner .
21
65,000
600
Primary No. 1, Bridge.
5
25,000
300
66
" 2, S. Division
5
16.000
270
" 3, Fountain.
9
38,000
450
" 4. Wealthy Av
6
27,000
350
5, Grandville
2
10,000
120
6, Turner
5
6,000
230
7. Ionia St.
8
26,000
370
66
66
8, Jefferson
7
18,000
370
9, Center.
4
9,000
200
Spring St.
4
4,000
200
Cold Brook. Leonard St.
2
6,000
150
Leonard, St.
2
5,000
150
Whole number of teachers, with the superintendent, 89: salaries to two teachers, $2,500; one teacher, $1,800; one teacher, $1,500; two teachers, $1,200; three teachers, $1,000; one teacher, $800; one teacher, $700; two teachers, $600. The other salaries are graded from $520 to $360 per year; aggregating 844,579. Expenses and outlay for schools and school-houses during the year, $107.687.58. Value of school property, 340,000. Number of children from five to twenty, $8,900. Bonded debt, 63,000. Library, 8,557 volumes.
The range of instruction is that of the best academies-fit- ting students for college or the counting-house. Latin, Greek. German and French are in the regular or special courses of the school. Beginning feebly in 1849, it has attained its present high condition by successive steps-each an advance. At first it had a slight hold on the confidence of the people, and had to make its way against the overshadowing influence of the private schools, and the opposition of tax-payers; in addition to the unwillingness of the people to submit to the strictness of rules. so indispensable in large concentrated schools. Now the
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MEMORIALS OF THE
Union School is the school of the city, and the people are proud of it, as their noblest institution. Its influence is over- shadowing; the people freely sustain it; and for making it a free school in all its departments, are willing to submit to severe taxation. The turning point in public sentiment in regard to the Union School, was during the time it was under the administration of Professor Cheesbro. He was not, in the common acceptation of the term, a great man. But for whole- souled devotion to his business, administrative talent, and the qualities that go to make up a good teacher, he had few equals. A man of the purest character, devoted to his business, untir- ing in labor, he wore out what was the finest constitution; killing himself, in fact, body and mind, by his exhausting labors. He rests in Oak Hill cemetery. No history of Grand Rapids would be complete, that did not recognize Prof. Chees- bro as one of the great powers instrumental in its develop- ment. His field was mind, and the effect of his life will be on future generations. Though short his life, it answered life's great end. His expressive epitaph, given above, tells but the simple truth. It is no poetic fancy.
KENT SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE.
Sometime (the particular date not preserved) in the year 1856, four men, the Hon. John Ball, James McKee, Wm. G. Henry, and A. O. Currier, chanced to meet in Mr. Ball's office and were talking on scientific subjects when Mr. Ball sug- gested the formation of a Lyceum of Natural History. Act- ing on the suggestion, a meeting was called and a society formed, under the name of "Lyceum of Natural History." The active members of which were A. O. Currier, John Ball, James McKee, Dr. Charles Shepard, Dr. Parker, Prof. F. Everett, Wright L. Coffinberry, Dr. DeCamp, and Wm. G. Henry.
The meetings were kept up with a good degree of interest until the breaking out of the war, when it apparently ceased to exist.
At the commencement of its operation, the society contem- plated having a museum and library. Prof. Everett had a cabinet of minerals, geological specimens, and fossils, which
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GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
he used in his academy, also an extensive botanical collection. These (without donating) he placed in the society's room. At the re-organization, they were given. Mr. Currier and Dr. De Camp in a similar way placed their collections. Others con- tributed, and soon the society had a respectable little museum. When the lyceum seemed to die, the contributors generally resumed possession of what was theirs.
In the meantime, a boy, J. Wickwire Smith, had rallied around him a number of youths in the Union School, and for several years they kept up a society ealled the Kent Institute. Of that band young Smith was the presiding genius. He infused his soul into the others, and their society was a bril- liant youthful success.
In December, 1867, young Smith finding his health failing, and watching the slow progress of consumption, portending death, and knowing that his society would die with him, pro- posed to the members of the old Lyceum of Natural History, that the two societies should be combined. This was effected Jan. 12th, 1868. Smith lived but a few months after the union had been accomplished.
And here we will pause to pay a merited tribute to one of the noblest youths that ever lived. Although he died at the age of 19, he has left an impress behind him which never will be obliterated. With talents of the highest order, a character of angelic purity, and an enthusiasm for Nature which knew no limit, he had the rare faculty of transfusing his spirit into others. Wherever he went, his greatness was recognized at once. Yet he was a bashful, modest yontlı, simple, ehild- like, and loving. He went to Florida in the vain hope of improved health. There he rallied around him a similar circle, who recognized his genius. He sunk and died. When his agonized father asked where he chose to be buried, he said: " Bury me where there are the most butterflies." In his last days he wrote to the Kent Institute, and bequeathed to them his collections. Let the Kent Scientifie Institute never forget J. Wickwire Smith; for, young as he was, he is the real father of that institution.
Briefly, it may be further stated, that an alliance was soon
26
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MEMORIALS OF THE
formed between the Society and the Board of Education, and it has maintained an active existence.
It has an extensive museum, and is known among the culti- vators of natural science in other parts of the world. It prom- ises to be one of the institutions of the West.
BANKING IN GRAND RAPIDS.
The following carefully digested article is from the pen of Harvey Hollister, Esq., cashier of the First National Bank. Associated at first with Daniel Ball as his confidential clerk and cashier, and ever afterwards with the banking interests of the city, he may be considered as speaking ex cathedra:
THIE BANKING INTERESTS OF GRAND RAPIDS.
The history of the banking interests of this city is a remarkable one in many respects. Less than a quarter of century has developed the entire system, and we may say that the last fifteen years have witnessed the rise and progress of all the banking institutions that now fill so important a place in the prosperities of our city. The first bank or exchange office was started by Wm. J. Wells, now deceased, in 1852, in what was formerly known as the Rathbone block, or the " Wedge." With a very limited capital, Mr. Wells put out his modest sign, and offered to our merchants and busi- ness men his drafts on New York, Detroit, and Chicago, in exchange for the different sorts of currency then offered, most of which, however, was George Smith & Co.'s Georgia money, and South Western Plank Road currency. A few months later, Mr. Daniel Ball offered to the business men of the town his drafts on the different cities of the country, to procure which it was necessary to mount up into the old wooden warehouse by outside stairs-sit- uated where now is the elegant office of the First National Bank.
From year to year, until 1861, these two banking institutions, with com- paratively limited means, furnished all the banking facilities enjoyed by the good people, of a vigorous and growing town, and the country for many miles about. Indeed, had it not been for the aid thus furnished many of the enterprises then originating and now developed into wonderful prosper- ity and dimensions, would never have attained any prominence whatever. Banking from 1850 to 1860 was a very different business in this country from banking at the present time. During those years, no more hazardous busi- ness could be engaged in. What with a heterogeneous lot of irresponsible banks of issue scattered from Maine to Georgia (most of them in Georgia). beset with a class of impecunious adventurers desiring and pressing for accommodations-with but very meager facilities for obtaining intel- ligence, or of transmitting moneys-it is no wonder that those who were engaged in the business often felt that they received but poor re- turn for all their risk and labor. The rate of exchange on New York was oftentimes enormous, at one time rising as high as ten per cent. on Illinois and Wisconsin Stock Bank Currency, and rarely running
403
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
clown to less than one-half per cent. on any kind of paper money or coin. These high rates, at that time, were due to two facts: 1st. The impossibility of converting the Western currency into Eastern curreney-it not being cur- rent farther East than this State; and, 2d. The high rates of the express companies for transmitting from the East to the West and back again. It became necessary, many times, in order to keep the New York accounts good. to send special messengers to Chicago or Detroit, in order to convert the mul- tifarious issues of paper money into New York drafts. With the incoming of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, in 1859, and the Plank Road to Kal- amazoo, these difficulties of transmitting currency were in a measure obvia- ted; but the business of banking, during the first ten years of its history. -- surrounded by the uncertain values incident to an unorganized, unformed commercial community-was neither pleasant nor profitable. Nevertheless. both of the institutions were of great value to this new and rapidly growing section of the State, and would have undoubtedly continued in successful op- eration but for the losses attending the winding up and failure of the Illinois and Wisconsin banks, the currency of which, at the breaking out of the great rebellion, formed, together with the currency known as the "Daniel Ball currency, " almost the entire circulation of the Grand River Valley. About the year 1860. Messrs. Ledyard & Aldrich opened a discount and exchange office in the office formerly occupied by Mr. Wm. J. Wells-he having built for his especial use a neat wooden office, about where the entrance to the Ar- cade now is, in Powers' Block, and opposite to the imposing edifice of the City National Bank. At this date, the aggregate banking capital of the city could hardly have been more than $50,000-certainly not more than $75,000. In May, 1861, Mr. Wm. J. Wells, owing to canses before referred to, was obliged to suspend operations; and in October, 1861, the Exchange Bank of Daniel Ball & Co. was also obliged to go into liquidation. It is only most proper here to record the facts, that both of these institutions yielded to the pressure of the times only after the most strenuous efforts to avert so great a ca'amity as it then seemed, both to themselves and to the community. And also to record the fact that, within a reasonable time, both Mr. Wells and Daniel Ball & Co. had the pleasure of liquidating in full their entire obliga- tions, with interest.
Mr. William J. Wells, our first banker, was an early settler of our city. A man respected by all who knew him, and esteemed for his integrity, hon- orable and just dealings and blameless life. He died suddenly in 1874.
Mr. Daniel Ball, our other pioneer banker, was noted for his energy and business ability, combining many other enterprises with his banking estab- lishment. He was a valuable part of a vigorous whole in the make-up of our early history, and his relinquishment of his business relations, and re- tirement from our city in 1866, left a large space which has not since been entirely filled. He died in New York in 1873.
I have thus far omitted to mention the name of one Mr. R. Wells, who for a brief time held forth as a private banker and custodian of other peo- ple's money. His career was so brief, and yet so painful to some of our older inhabitants, that I will only say, that after making wany promises to pay large rates of interest, and obtaining several thousand dollars of the people's
1 404
MEMORIALS OF THE
money, he suddenly left for parts unknown, finally turning up in Califor- nia, or somewhere upon the Pacific Slope, where he now lives.
In December, 1861, Mr. M. L. Sweet opened the office formerly occupied by Messrs. Daniel Ball & Co., and he, together with Messrs. Ledyard and Fralic, who had succeeded, in 1860, Messrs. Ledyard & Aldrich, con- tinued until March 10, 1864, to transact the general banking business of the city. At this date, under the direction of several of our prominent business men. the First National Bank was organized and commenced ope- rations with Martin L. Sweet as president, and Harvey J. Hollister as cashier, with a capital paid in of $50,000. Even at this date, in the history of our city, this capital was deemed quite too large, and fears were enter- tained that it could not be safely invested in business paper.
In 1865, about one year later, the City National Bank was organized and commenced business with Mr. T. D. Gilbert as President, and Mr. J. F. Baars as Cashier, with a capital of $100,000. The impetus given to all kinds of business by the large issues of the Government, growing out of the war, had its effect on our city to an unusual degree, both in the accumulation of de- posits, and also in the demand for banking accommodations, so that each year the two National banks found it necessary to increase their capacity in both capital and clerical force. In 1866, the First National Bank increased its capital to $100,000. In July, 1866, to $150,000. Again in 1863, it was increased to $200.000, and in 1871, to $400,000. Meantime, the City National Bank had increased its capital in 1867 to $200,000, in 1871 to $300,000, so that the present capital and undivided profits of the two banks amount to not less than $1,100,000. In 1869, the Banking House of E. P. & S. L. Fuller was opened and continued to do a prosperous and honorable business until 1876, when they were succeeded by Messrs. Graff, Dennis & Co., a firm com- prised of young men who bid fair to retain the confidence reposed in their successors, being entirely reliable and responsible. In 1871, Mr. M. V. Aldrich, formerly of the banking firm of Ledyard & Aldrich, resumed the business of banking, and with an ample capital, succeeded rapidly to a lucra- tive business, his large line of deposits bearing testimony to the confidence reposed in his business capacity and financial ability, by the people. In 1874, Mr. L. H. Randall, associating with him Mr. Darragh, who had been for sev- eral years engaged in the business of banking in another section of the State, and the firm of Randall & Darragh was added to the list of sound Grand Rapids bankers. One more we must not fail to mention. The Grand Rap- ids Savings Bank, situated on the corner of Canal and Pearl streets, with a capital of $100,000, was organized about 1865. This institutition ought to be, and we trust will be, so managed that the savings of our laboring classes will be largely increased. The Savings Bank of this city should have not less than $500,000 deposits, and should confine itself strictly to the sav- ings department of business. Itis a safe, reliable institution, and its officers only need to keep before the people the advantages of the saving system as they do in the larger cities of this and other States. This completes the list of banks and bankers that have been a part of the history of Grand Rapids, if we except, as we ought to do, that merciless swindler, Lauterette, who in two short years, defrauded our people out of about $75,000. He came here from
405
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
the eastern part of the State, with some reputation as a banker and capital- ist, and with specious promises in the way of high rates of interest and low exchange, induced many of our citizens to do business with him. In a fit of insanity (?) he left us. The dividends on the investment thus thoughtlessly made by many worthy people, has been only nominal.
The theory of the originator of our present national banking system in this country was, that safety, both to the stockholder and depositor, might be obtained. The experience of the two thousand national banks scattered over the entire national domain, has fully sustained this theory-based, as it was, upon a careful system of inspection and supervision.
The object of all well organized and well directed banking institutions is two-fold: safety to all interested, and mutual profit-both to lender and borrower. The stockholder should have a fair return for his investment. The customer should be recognized as one receiving and conferring favors also. No bank can enjoy a high state of prosperity unless supported by a line of healthy commercial customers. No mercantile or commercial interests can thrive without ample banking capital at their command, on favorable terms. Both banker and customer are mutually dependent.
GRAND RAPIDS CHURCHES IN 1876.
CATHOLIC.
St. Andrews-corner Sheridan and Maple streets. Membership, 4,000. Church in process of erection, will cost $60,000. Father McManus, Pastor.
St. James-north side of Bridge street, between Broadway and Straight streets; west side. Membership, 3.000. Father Pulcher, Pastor.
St. Mary's (west side, German)-corner of First and Turner streets. Father Ehrenstrassen, Pastor.
BAPTIST.
S. Graves, D. D., Pastor. Corner of Fountain and Bostwick streets. Membership, 500. Cost of church edifice, $80,000.
CONGREGATIONAL.
First Cong. Church-corner of Park and East Park streets. I. Morgan . Smith, Pastor. Membership, 700.
Second Cong. Church-corner of Grove and Plainfield avenues. E. C. Ol- ney, Pastor. Membership, 85.
EPISCOPAL.
St. Mark's-east side of Division street, between Lyon and Fountain streets. Samuel Earp, Rector. Membership, 550.
St. Paul's-east side of Turner, between Third and Fourth streets; west side. Sidney Beckwith, Pastor. Membership, 180.
Good Shepherd-north-east College avenue and East Bridge street. W. K. Knowlton, Pastor in charge.
Grace Church-Northeast corner Wealthy Avenue and Prospeet streets W. K. Knowlton, Reetor.
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MEMORIALS OF THE
CHURCH OF CHRIST.
Corner of Lyon and Division streets. S. E. Pierce, Pastor. Membership, seventy-five.
LUTHERAN.
German Lutheran-southeast corner of East Bridge and Division streets. Henry Koch, pastor. Membership, 400.
Swedish Lutheran-east side of Sinclair, between Bridge and Hastings streets. No pastor.
PRESBYTERIAN.
Westminster-still occupying their old house on the U. S. lot by sufferance. Preparing to build. F C. Kendall, Pastor. Membership 200.
First Presbyterian Church-corner Ist and Scribner streets; west side. W. A. Fleming, Pastor. Membership, 112.
METHODIST.
Division Street Church-corner of Division and Fountain streets. F. F. Hildreth, Pastor. Membership, 400.
2d Street Methodist Church-corner Turner and 2d streets, west side. Geo. D. Lee, Pastor. Membership, 250.
German M. E. Church-corner Bridge and Turner streets, west side, Henry Pullman, Pastor. Membership, 65.
Zion M. E. Church (colored)-north side, Withey, between Jefferson and Center streets. M. Butler, Pastor.
Wesleyan Methodist-corner Turner and Crosby streets. Obed Tapley, Pastor.
HEBREW.
Congregational Emanuel-place of worship, corner Ionia and Mon- roe streets, in Godfroy's Block. Emanuel Gerecter, Rabbi. Membership, 40.
REFORMED CHURCHES.
First English-North Division street. Peter Moerdyk, Pastor. Member- ship, 85.
Second Reformed (Holland)-corner of Bostwick and Lyon streets. N. H. Dosker, Pastor. Membership, 650.
Third Reformed (Dutch)-Fulton street, east of the city limits. Adrian Kriekaard, Pastor.
Fourth Reformed-Legrand, near Taylor street. No Pastor.
Christain Reformed-No. 200 North Division street. C. Cloppenbery, Pastor. Membership, 300.
True Dutch Reformed-Spring, near Island street. G. E. Boer, Pastor- Membership, 1,500.
SWEDENBORGIAN.
The society has scarcely an active existence. They own the building cor- ner of Lyon and Division streets.
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GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
UNIVERSALIST.
First Universalist-Pearl street, between Ottawa and lonia. Charles Fluker, Pastor.
SPIRITUALIST.
They have an association of about eighty members, but own no property, and have no regular place of meeting
A few of the Grand Rapids churches are properly historical, being in their several orders pioneers, and parent churches.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, GRAND RAPIDS.
As is noted elsewhere, 1836-7 brought many people to Grand Rapids; a mixture of all sorts. As like seeks like in crystalization, so people with re- ligious opinions seek out those with whom they can sympathize. There was the Mission, which was for a time the nucleus of the Baptists. A few were Methodists, who banded themselves; a few had Episcopal proclivities; some were Catholic, and to them the sainted Vizoski was spiritual leader. There were some 25 or 30 whose preferences were Presbyterian or Congregational. These, headed by Deacon Page and Samuel Howland, took measures to or- ganize a church. They agreed that it should be Presbyterian, as there were 110 Congregational churches anywhere near. The first preacher was James A. McCoy, who served them about a year, and came out Episcopalian. The meetings were held at first in the dining room of the Old National Hotel; afterwards in the Court House. In October. 1838, they invited the Rev. J. Ballard, then preaching at Grandville, to become their pastor. He held that position until the Ist of Jan., 1848. In the meantime, the church, following the predilections of most of its members, had become Congregational. This was done in 1839. In 1841, the society bought the Campau (Catholic) Church. paying about $3,500 for it. in the purchase they were greatly aided by people at the East. Mr. Ballard was followed by Rev. Thomas Jones, who stayed three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry L. Hammond, who stayed five years; left in 1857; succeeded by Rev. S. S. Greeley, who also ministered five years; a part of the time on furlough as chaplain in the army. The present incumbent, Rev. J. Morgan Smith, commenced his labors in 1863.
The first Church, in 1872, was sold; converted into stores, and soon went up in smoke. At the same time the present structure was built by Park Place; costing some $70,000. Membership about 500.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Among the earlier settlers were a few whose predilections were toward the Episcopal church-three or four who were members of the order. An effort was made to establish the nucleus of a church in the fall of 1836: seventeen men signing an article, by which they banded themselves, under the name of "The Parish of St. Mark's Church." Nothing, however, seems to have been done, further than electing a set of church officers.
Again, in the summer of 1838, by a similar article. signed by thirteen per- sons, a band, or " Association," as it was called, under the title of "St.
.
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MEMORIALS OF THE
Mark's Church," made a preliminary organization. Their names were Geo. Coggershall, John Almy, C. I. Walker, George Martin, Charles Shepard, James Lyman, John Parnell, Wm. A. Richmond, Thomas B. Church, John P. Calder, Henry P. Bridge.
It seems that little was done, further than electing a board of officers, a year afterwards, Nov. 18th, 1839. That may be given as the date of the active existence of the church or society. At this time, a call was given to the Rev. Melanchthon Hoyt to become the pastor. A room was secured for public services in Mr. Bridge's store.
April 26th, 1840, measures were taken to obtain the recognition of the As- sociation as a church. At the same date, preliminaries were arranged for erecting a church. A lot was given by Charles Carroll and Lucius Lyon, N. W. corner, at the crossing of Bronson and Division streets. The lot im- mediately west was purchased for $100, and on them a church 27x41 feet, 14 feet posts, was erected; and consecrated April 5th, 1841. There is no record of the date of the consecrating by the bishop. The date given is the date of the record of the deed of consecration.
Jan. 11th, 1842, Mr. Hoyt sent to the church the alternative-to install him as rector, or that he should resign his charge. The church accepted his resignation with expressions of esteem and regret.
May 24th, 1843, a call was extended to the Rev. (since Dr.) Francis Cum- mning, who soon commenced his labors. The precise date of his assuming the office is uncertain. On the records of December 25th, he is shown as rector. Dr. Cumming took hold with energy, and under his charge the church increased in numbers and strength. In 1848. November 18th, the second church was consecrated. This church was the front part-minus the towers-of the present edifice. The building has been twice enlarged, and modified-first in 1855, and afterwards in 1871.
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