USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 41
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CONCLUSION.
Among those who were born in Muskegon and are still resi- dents of Muskegon county, are Mrs. Jolm Curry, Mrs. Hora- tio Hovey, James and George Graham of Muskegon; and Mrs. A. G. Smith, of Lakeside; S. H. Lasley, of Montagne; and William, Augustus, Michael and Joseph Baddeau, of Holton.
In closing this imperfect sketch of the early history of Mus- kegon, the writer wishes to express his obligations to Messrs. M. Ryerson, C. Davis. M. W. Lloyd, George B. Woodbury, R. O'Harrow, Geo. Ruddiman, A. A. Maxim, R. Ryerson, and Mrs. Susan Boline, Mrs. Julia Witherell, Mrs. Fanny Shepherd and many others, for valuable assistance rendered in furnishing information.
GLEANINGS.
Thus far Mr. Holt is the historian of Muskegon. That his work has been well done the citizens of Muskegon attest. The gleanings after him are comparatively meager.
HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS AND SHIPPING.
Before the United States took the matter in hand, individ- uals built about 1,000 feet of slab pier on the south pier, and and about 500 feet on the north. The improvements made by the United States at the harbor consist in building about 500 feet of stone cribs and 300 feet of piling on the south pier, and about the same of each on the north.
The clearances from this port in 1875 were 2,577; aggre- gate tonnage, 526,194. Of these 250 were steamer, and 250 barges.
The first railroad, in 1869.
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A lighthouse was built in 1855. That was torn down, and the present one erected in 1871.
SOCIETIES.
The Muskegon Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M .- Organized Jan. 8th, 1867, with 15 charter members.
Muskegon Commandery, No. 22-Instituted June 3d, 1868, with 12 mem- bers.
Muskegon Lodge, No. 92, of I. O. O. F .- Date of organization, April 16th, 1863; 20 charter members; first lodge organized.
Germania Lodge, No. 179-Organized Jan. 25th, 1872; 5 charter men- bers.
Lovell Moore Lodge-Organized Jan. 18th, 1866; 10 members. Named in compliment to the Masonic Oracle, at Grand Rapids.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Organized Sunday evening, April 24th, 1870. Constituent members:
Samuel Ingham; Anson Clayton, Dudley D. Wheeler, Mrs. E. B. Wheeler, Mrs. Eliza E. Barnes. Mrs. Hannah Martin, Mrs. Carrie Burgess, Mrs. Jane Bartlett, Mrs. Mary Clayton, Mrs. Elvira Butterfield, Mrs. Carrie Nelson, Mrs. Elvira Benton, Mrs. Sarah A. Merrill, Miss Jennie E. Mason, Miss El- la L. Mason, Edward H. Wilson, Mrs. Jennie A. Wilson, Annie Blackmer, Hiram M. Beals, Augustus I. Loomis.
A. I. Loomis was chosen Clerk. Twenty members. .
During the first year services were held in Holt's Hall and Leonard's Hall.
The present church edifice cost $2,000; was dedicated the 28th of May, 1871.
Rev. J. F. Hill became pastor the 1st of September, 1870, and has ever since held that relation.
Rev. J. R. Monroe, Rev. C. C. Miller and Rev. L. Parmelee had preached occasionally before the settlement of Mr. Miller.
Present membership, 88 (1876).
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Organized 1855. First members: Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Ainsworth, Mr. and Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Bowles .- 5.
Pastors, and dates: 1855, L. M. Bennett; 1856-7, Rev. Mr. Pratt; 1858. part of year, Rev. Mr. Kent; 1858-9, D. D. Gillett; 1860, part of year, J. N. Dayton; 1860-1, L. W. Earl; 1862, A. P. Moors: 1863, H. Caldwell; 1864-5, Il. A. Pattison: 1866, W. W. Rork; 1867-8, G. D. Lee; 1869, J. L. Child; 1870, G. S. Hickey; 1871, W. W. Baldwin; 1872-3-4, J. Graham; 1875-5, C. L. Burnhart.
Building erected, 1857, at cost of about $12,000.
Present number of members, 123.
REFORMED CHURCHI.
In 1856, five Dutch families began to meet on Sundays for worship. The number increased, and a church building, 30x60, was erected, the material
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of which was donated by Americans. In 1859, a church was organized. Rev. _1. Honbolt became pastor in 1864: succeeded in 1872 by Rev. Jacob Vander Meuler, who still ministers to the church.
In 1865, a new church was built, which was enlarged in 1873. Value of church property, $12,000.
Numbers-209 families; 218 communicants; 230 catechumen; 220 Sabbath School children.
TRUE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH.
Date of organization-October 26, 1867.
Original members-Jacob Temple, E. N. Van Baalen, J. Medema, John Boersema. G. Heeres, Joe. Mulder, C. Knipers, D. Sherda, M. Alting, J. l'othof, W. Schnitema, Jac. Boogema, John Waaltens, O. Timmer, P. Kniper, W. Baker, S. Langeland, J. Pasma, E. Langeland.
Pastors-Rev. L. Rietdyk. arrived March 1, 1870, left February 29, 1872. Rev. D. J. Vander Werp, arrived Aug. 26, 1872, died April 1, 1876. No pas- tor at present.
The first year after their organization they built a little church on Apple street, but had to move it the next year, because the railroad company laid the track through the adjoining lot. It was moved to 263 and 265 Terrace street; in 1872 there was an addition built to it, and also a new house for the pastor. Value. about $3,500.
Four hundred, being in a fair condition, and constantly increasing.
By J. D. VANDER WERP, Member.
Two documents are lying before the writer-the one, the commission of Christopher Fryzine, as postmaster at Muske- gon, dated April 29th, 1839, with the signature of Amos Hen- dall; the other, the first tax-roll of Muskegon, then a part of Ottawa county. From it may be seen the taxable wealth of the county at that date, and who were the solid men.
TAX ROLL OF 1839.
Names and property taxed: Joachim Lansdak. $185; John Nait (or Nail), $60: James Banks, $105; John Jackson, $105; Henry Penoyer, $165: Wm. Bailey, $75; Joseph Trottier, $260: B. H. Wheelock, $3,000; Wm. Lasley, $1,910; Geo. Cown, $30; Joseph Stannock, $110; Louis B. Badeu, $1,850; T. Newell & Co., $1,683. Total. $3,938. Signed, E. Wilcox, J. K. New- comb, C. Fryzine. Dated, May 20th, 1839.
THE BRANDED HAND.
There lives, six miles from Muskegon, an aged and respectable farmer, by the name of Jonathan Walker, who is known as the man with the branded hund-as he bears, burnt into the palm of his hand, the letters "S. S.," .
(slave stealer.) In 1843, he was arrested on the coast of Florida. while at- tempting to run off some slaves in a boat; was put in jail, tried, sentenced to pay a fine, be branded in the hand, and stand one hour in the pillory,
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where he was pelted with rotten eggs. His history was published by the Anti-Slavery Society, and was what gave the inspiration to Whittier's poem, "The Branded Hand."
" Welcome home again, brave seaman, With thy thoughtful brow and gray."
Get the book and read it. It is too long to copy here. It may teach you to appreciate poetry and Whittier.
HOLLAND.
The colonization of the region around Black Lake by Hol- landers, is an important item in the history of Michigan. Be- gun in the spirit of the old Puritans, its results so far have been felt in the Netherlands and in America.
Some account of the movement which resulted in the settle- ments in Michigan, is given, on the authority of the Rev. Van- der Meuler, in connection with the sketch of the history of Zeeland. For the early history of Holland, we have availed ourselves of the laboriously prepared paper of G. Van Schel- ven, Esq., read July 4th, 1876. Mr. Van Schelven has zeal- ously and carefully collected his information; it has stood the test of criticism, having been delivered to the public, and pub- lished in the papers. We are happy to state that lie is prepar- ing to publish a more full and circumstantial history. By what he has done, he has placed the colonists and history nn- der obligations, and secured for himself perpetual remembrance as the historian of the Holland settlement. It is unnecessary to speak of the value of this paper-it speaks for itself, and will in future be the anthority.
IHISTORICAL SKETCH OF HOLLAND CITY AND COLONY. BY G. VAN SCHELVEN, ESQ.
In the winter of 1845-6 a meeting of the leading men, favor- ing emigration, was held in Amsterdam. The times were exceedingly hard, and growing more and more oppressive for the laboring classes, with little or no prospects of their im- provement, and it was felt that something should be done for their relief. The meeting appointed a committee to wait upon the Government with a proposition to colonize in the Dutch East Indies, and locate upon the highlands of Java. The reply
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was that the Government had no authority to sanction such a movement upon the religious basis on which it was proposed. The Cape of Good Hope was the next point which received their attention, and lastly America was considered.
In the summer of 1846, the Rev. Thomas De Witt, D. D., of New York, was sent by the General Synod of the Reformed (Dutch) Church of America, on an official mission to Holland. The extent to which this visit has been instrumental in turn. ing the projected emigration toward America, is difficult to ascertain. Judging from subsequent events, however, it must have had a marked effect upon the inquiring minds of the leaders. In his report to the General Synod, in 1847, he says: " When in Holland, I received information of a rising spirit of emigration to America, and especially among the (afges- cheidenen) seceders from the established church.
Soon two important colonies from this class will be founded in the West."
During the spring of 1846, and before any organization or system of emigration had been perfected, two persons, Messrs. A. Hartgerink and J. Arnold, started for this country. Their friends fitted them out for the voyage, and the deacons of the church collected money and clothing for them. They were sent out to make a preliminary examination here and report to the brethren in the old country. Ds. Van Raalte gave them the necessary letters of introduction to Dr. De Witt and others. After their arrival they forwarded an extended account of their trip and observations here, which account was favorably re- ceived in Holland. It was a voluminous doenment, the post- age on the same amounting to eleven guilders.
Emigration to America now began to be generally discussed and agitated, and the mind was permanently fixed upon " the West." Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa were among the favorite localities.
On the 14th day of September, 1846, an American vessel, the "Southerner," of Boston, Capt. Crosby, weighed anchor at Rotterdam, and carried across the Atlantic the first emi- grants destined for this settlement. As they constituted the first Holland pioneers of this colony, we have secured the names of nearly all of them:
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Alberhus C. Van Raalte, Hendrick Oldemeyer, Frans Smit, Jan Laarman, Egbert Van Zee, Jan Karman, Jan Klaasen, Hendrick De Kruif, Bernardus Grootenhuis, J. Dunnewind, Willem Notting, - Van den Boogaart, Evert Zagers, Egbert Freriks, Hendrick Kok, Herman Lankheet.
Most of them were heads of families. After a voyage of forty-seven days they arrived at New York on the 4th day of November, 1846, from where they left by steamer for Albany; thence via Buffalo and Cleveland to Detroit. Here the party scattered for a time, in order to enable Ds. Van Raalte to de- cide upon his location.
In New York Ds. Van Raalte was welcomed by Rev. Dr. De Witt, Mr. Forrester and others, friendly to the Hollanders and their cause. The same can be said of many more in the different cities along his travels; Rev. Drs. Wyekoff and Beth- une at Albany; Rev. Dr. Duffield, Hon. Theodore Romeyn, Rev. Mr. West, Gen. Cass and Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, at De- troit; Rev. Mr. Hoyt at Kalamazoo; Judge Kellogg at Allegan, and others.
Owing to the close of navigation, and satisfactory informa- tion obtained at Detroit, it was resolved to abandon the here- tofore quite prevailing preference for Wisconsin and proceed to Western Michigan. The motives leading to this selection on the part of Ds. Van Raalte are perhaps best described by himself in a translated extract from his oration delivered in 1872, on the quarter-centennial celebration of the settlement of the colony
" Although the Americans recommended the localities near rivers, and in general deemed it too great a hazard to settle here; although the Hollanders avoided the forests, occasioning a great struggle to subject iny family and myself to the incon- viences of sneh pioneering; nevertheless, the combination of so many advantages, although at first they could be but slowly developed, left me no doubt as to what my duty was. I knew that the rich forest soil is better fitted for the dairy, and for winter wheat; that owing to the manufacturing interests and navigation, by far higher market prices could be obtained here
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than at any place in the West; and that the country near the shore of Lake Michigan was protected by the water from severe frosts. and pre-eminently a region adapted for fruit. I could find no place where similar to those regions along the inhabi- ted rivers, lined with manufactories and mills, where the tens of thousands could find work without danger of being scat- tered, and where, at the same time, we were certain of an op- portunity to continually secure land, without any interference, for a group of settlements. I chose this region, with much decision. on account of its great variety, being assured that if the Holland emigration should develop into a power, we ought to remain together for mutual support, and ought to have this variety for labor and capital, especially for future growth. *
"The object of my settling between the Kalamazoo and Grand Rivers was to secure the advantages of both these rivers-for we could not get along without the settled regions -- and at the same time to establish a center for a united and spiritual life and labor for God's Kingdom."
In company with Judge Kellogg, of Allegan, and an Indian guide, following an Indian trail, Ds. Van Raalte arrived here for the first time in the latter part of December, 1846. They landed at the house of Rev. G. N. Smith, a Presbyterian mis- sionary among the Indians, located upon section 3, of the township of Fillmore. At this time, the only white set- tlers in this entire neighborhood, besides Ds. Smith, were I. Fairbanks, Esq., and G. Cranmer. Their nearest neighbor was Mr. A. Shorno, on section 26, township of Fillmore. Mr. Fairbanks lived next to Ds. Smith, and Mr. Cranmer on the farm now owned by Mr. Geerlings, northeast of the " Nykerk " Church.
Having satisfied himself as to the exact location of lake, river and harbor, and having determined upon the site for the village, Ds. Van Raalte, in January, 1847, returned to Detroit, to collect his little band. During his absence he had procured work for the men at St. Clair, where a steamboat was being built. His own family had remained at Detroit. That same month they packed up and proceeded via Kalamazoo to Allegan, where they met
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with great hospitality, especially at the hands of Judge Kel- logg. After remaining here for a few days making the neces- sary preparations for their outfit, the party started for Black Lake. The women and children remained at Allegan with the exception of Mrs. Grootenhuis, who volunteered to be the cook for the party. They were again accompanied by an Indian guide and Judge Kellogg. Mr. Geo. S. Harrington, Sr., also came down with them and drove the ox-team. The trip from Allegan to Rev. Smith's house was made in one day. Here they arrived, as near as we can ascertain, on the 12th of February, 1847. Rev. Smith received these men with the greatest of hospitality, and, together with Mr. Fairbanks, aided materially toward fitting these pioneers for the difficult and unknown task before them.
Arrangements had been made at Allegan through Judge Kellogg, whereby in a few days they were followed by a party of Americans, who were to remain a while, and learn then how to chop trees, build log houses, and make roads, many of them not even knowing how to connect the ax with the helve. The Indian church, located near Rev. Smith's house, served as lodging place.
The first work was the opening of a road from Mr. Fairbanks' place to the head of Black Lake. They followed a line running between sections 33 and 34, and 28 and 27, T. 5, N. 15 W. At the latter place they found that the cedar swamp was a serious obstacle in their way, and they resolved before proceed- ing any further to put up their first quarters on the hill near the house of Mrs. W. Van Der Haar, on section 28 of same town. Two log sheds were built 16x30 feet, with brush roofs. This hill is among the most interesting spots of our early his- tory. Here they lost the first member of their little band; here the first child was born to the colonists, and for a long while afterwards these sheds served as receiving barracks for the new comers.
The women and children who had been left at Allegan, were now sent for, and they also took up their quarters in the log shanties. It is but proper and just to mention the favors and kindness bestowed upon these families during their stay at
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Allegan, and it is not without regret that we have failed to ascertain their names.
During that same winter, another small party of immigrants had reached Albany, N. Y. They were advised to come on West, and reached here about the 10th of March, 1847. They numbered some fifteen strong, and among them we find the names of G. J. Hofman, W. Kremer, Plasman, Kolvoort and Słaghnis.
For weeks and months, now, the colonists applied themselves to the making of roads. From the log sheds, the road was continued along the farm of Ds. Van Raalte through the pres- ent city to the head of Black Lake and the "Indian Village," so-called.
The next arrival was also in the month of March. A party of immigrants, numbering nearly one hundred, had arrived at St. Louis, and were anxiously awaiting the development of the colonization schemes then pending in Michigan and in Iowa, and not only for their own guidance but also for the informa- tion of the hundreds who were to follow that year. This St. Louis party appointed a committee of three to come out here and prospect, and selected as such Messrs. T. Keppel, H. Van der Haar and J. Binnekant. They arrived here March 17, 1847, making their way via Peoria, Chicago, Niles and Alle- gan. Having become satisfied with the prospects, Mr. Kep- pel returned to St. Louis with a favorable report, and the par- ty arrived here in the month of May, 1847. The season hav- ing far enough advanced, they made the trip via Chicago and Grand Haven, stopping for a while at Port Sheldon, in the old and deserted buildings of the Port Sheldon Company, un- til the men had put up the necessary sheds for shelter at the mouth and at the head of the lake.
In the spring of 1847, Ds. Van Raalte had his house built, and brought his family from Allegan.
The winter they had just passed was a severe one; the snow had averaged over two feet deep. The supplies during that time were principally brought in from Allegan. Towards spring, most of the colonists began to look up lands and locate for themselves.
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Before we break off this part of our sketch, we will give the following incidents connected with that memorable winter which they passed in these log sheds: The first child was born in the family of Mr. Laarman. The second was born in the family of Mr. Jan Schaap. Both were baptized together, by Ds. Van Raalte, in the open air in front of his house. The first death was that of Mrs. Notting; seven others died that winter at the log sheds. They lie buried, as near as can be ascertained, near the barn on the farm of Mrs. W. Van den Haar, The first marriage was that of Lambert Floris with Jantjen Meyerink.
The spring and summer of 1847 brought hundreds of immi- grants from the old country, and it was extremely difficult to keep supplied with necessaries of life. What few gold " Wil- lems" were still scattered between them went but a short way to provide for the first wants. Lumber had to be rafted at Sau- gatuck, and floated down all the way along lake Michigan and Black Lake. Provisions were brought in and carried on the back for a distance of ten and twenty miles.
As early as the summer of 1847, the colonists commenced! to build their log church and finished it in part, that same fall. The building was located in the southwest corner of the present cemetery. It was built of logs, with a shingled roof, and was 33x60 feet. Its location there, was in order to accommodate the people settling in the country and perhaps also owing to the old country idea of having the church in the cemetery. When a few years afterwards the present First Re- form Church was built, it took considerable argument to have it located in the village, where it now stands. The log church was also used for school and public meetings.
From the very beginning the settlers organized a system of public meetings, and the latter constitute a prominent part in the history of the Holland Colony, partaking somewhat of the character of the historical town-meeting in the early his- tory of New England. The proceedings of these meetings during the winter of 1848, form a very interesting chapter in this sketch. For, inasmuch as the first township organization did not take place until 1849, and whereas for want of citizen-
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ship and the right to vote, the Hollanders were excluded froml all active participation in public matters until the spring of 1851, they relied upon these meetings for an expression of their views and a discussion of matters generally. They de- sired some kind of government in which the various interests represented by them would receive due consideration in the spirit of their immigration; hence, they resolved themselves, as it were, into a small democracy, governing according to what a majority of them deemed to be promotive of the greatest good to the greatest number. These meetings, known as " Volksvergadering," took cognizance of all the religious, educational, social and public interests of the colony and the people. Roads and bridges were built, church and school organized and provided for, personal gricvances settled, labor and wages regulated, etc.
The proceedings of these meetings during the year, 1847 are supposed to be lost; at least they are not within my reach. Many incidents of historical interest must have been recorded in that year.
The majority of the colonists who arrived in 1847 and 1848 landed at the month of Black Lake. Many of them made the entire trip from the Old Country here, by water, leaving New York via the Hudson river and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and thence around the lakes by steamers or vessels. Of the very first lumber brought in, enongh was appropiated at the harbor to put up a large building ordered by the " Volksvergadering," as a sort of receiving depot for the accommodation of the. new comers. This building was put up just south of the " old chan- nel," under the direction of Messrs. T. Keppel, Rensink and II. J. Hesselink. Mr. C. Van der Veere was appointed agent to receive them and forward them to town. Many of those who arrived then did not remain, but went to Wisconsin and other points.
It was soon evident to the colonists that what little ground had been cleared up during the spring would not begin to raise sufficient supplies for their support during the next winter. IIence every cleared spot and old Indian clearing within a range of 10 or 15 miles was explored, and at the public meet-
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ings details were organized, under some competent man to cultivate them. The Port Sheldon clearings were assigned to Mr. Geo. S. Harrington, and they were used in this way for two seasons, to raise potatoes, corn and. buckwheat, the bulk of which was carried in on the back.
Dependent to a great extent upon outside assistance for al- most everything in the way of information and instruction, the colonists availed themselves of every opportunity which was offered. Thus it was ordered by the " Volksvergadering," that Mr. R. Schilleman should go to Saugatuck to inform himself of the American way of fishing.
In June, 1847, word was sent from Albany that a large dele- gation from the province of Zeeland, under the leadership of · Rev. C. Vander Meulen and Mr. J. Van de Luyster, Sr., had arrived, and that after long and serious meditation they had decided to locate in Michigan. Several long sheds for their reception were put up at the head of Black Lake. The num- bered about four hundred, and arrived here in the month of July, coming all the way by water, and occupying the quarters assigned to them, where they remained during the balance of the season in tents and temporary sheds. After prospecting and examining the territory east of us, they concluded to locate in township 5, range 14. Thus were laid the foundations of what is now the prosperous village and township of Zeeland.
The arrivals during the summer began to increase. A sharp rivalry in recruiting had sprung up between this colony and other localities in Wisconsin and Iowa where the Hollanders were settling. And right here allow me to state that it can never be truthfully said that as far as the present development of this colony and of the Hollanders is concerned, it is in no wise to be accredited to either the wealth or the intellectual attainment of the masses whose lots were cast here; but, to the contrary, let it be recorded as history, that the material pros- perity, the intellectual development, and social elevation which has transferred the immigrant of 1847 into the American citi- zen of 1876, is due largely to the energy, forethought and gen- eral leadership of the founder of this colony.
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