USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 42
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By this time there was quite a population scattered along
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the shores of Black Lake. The Indian village, near the sontheastern limits of the city, was also a prominent landing- place. The log-houses, built by the Indians, were of great service to the newly arrived immigrants; and, as it appears, there never has been any trouble between the Red man and the Dutchman.
As the munber of colonists increased, the demand for pro- visions and supplies became greater. In view of this fact and the coming winter, a public meeting of all the settlers, includ- ing the Zeelanders, was held, to devise ways and means in that direction. It was proposed to appoint a suitable committee to go East and buy a large stock of provisions, dry goods, gro- ceries, hardware, stores, etc., etc. All the colouists were to contribute, according to what each had left, and thus organize a sort of apostolic stock company. The details how each was to be represented in this company and be secured for his in- vestment, were all agreed upon, and quite a large sum of inoney was collected-enough to pay about fifty per cent. down on a stock of several thousand dollars, aud have enonghi left for another object which we will mention below. All this was resolved upon, ordered to be carried out, and begun. Messrs. B. Grootenhuis, with Elder Young, of Grand Rapids, were selected to go to Albany and New York and bny the goods. A store was built near the Lake (south of Welton & Akeley's) to sell and disburse these goods. This was called the " colony- store." Mr. B. Grootenhuis was appointed general agent, and served as such for abont a year. With the money received from sales, pork and flour was again bought at Allegan, through the agency of Mr. H. D. Post, who was there at that time also getting ready to locate here. Part of the goods bought East, remained on the way all winter, and did not reach here until the next spring. However, this was only a beginning of the disappointments.
In connection with this supply business and "colony-store," it was also resolved to buy a " colony-vessel." The object was not only that this vessel should carry on the trade between the new colony and other points, and bring in this stock of goods; but it should also be known abroad. and especially in the Old
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Country, that the colonists had a vessel of their own, to carry immigrants from Buffalo, Chicago, Milwaukee and other points along the lakes. As far as we can learn, the purchase was made by J. Van De Lnyster, Sr., Mr. Steginga and Capt. Clausen. The vessel was of one hundred tons burthen, called the A. E. Knickerbocker, and bought from Mr. Walton, of Chicago. Abont the career of this vessel we have not been able to ascertain much, only that it managed to bring over a part of this stock of goods from Chicago; also that it carried a few of the immigrants, who refused to pay for their passage on the broad and general grounds of its being a "colony- vessel." It failed to give satisfaction to those whose money had been invested in the enterprise, and she was subsequently sold to outside parties.
But to return to the store business, Mr. J. Van De Luyster, Jr., succeeded Mr. B. Grootenhuis as agent or manager of the " colony-store," and in the course of the year following, amidst all sorts of troubles, complaints, alleged irregularities of one kind and another, the " colony-store " was wound up, leaving the largest stockholders minus their investment.
The first year was in every respect a severe test of the cour- age and perseverance of the colonists. Sickness among them was fearful, and the death-rate became alarming. In some localities the small-pox had broken ont, and for a while it oc- cupied about all the time and attention of the able-bodied to attend to the wants of the sick and dying, and to the burial of the dead. Among the colonists was only one doctor-J. S. M. C. Van Nus. The services rendered by Ds. Van Raalte, as physician, in those dark days, and for years thereafter (until the arrival of the Doctors W. R. and C. P. Marsh in 1853). are among the many noble deeds clustering around his career as a leader.
And how could the condition of the people be otherwise? Think of the canses that led to diseases, and contributed to their misery. A strange climate, a malarions atmosphere, undrained marslies, unwholsome food, and insufficient shelter; want of experience in the nature of their diseases, as in every- thing else; no refreshments or delicacies for their sick; noth-
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ing but the coarsest of victuals, and that without the necessary facilities for preparation or cooking; quacks coming in from outside palming themselves off for doctors, throwing upon the hands of the few able-bodied, an army of convalescents, with poisoned systems, aching bones, and rattling teeth. We will let Ds. Van Raalte describe these trying days in his own words:
" The difficulties to contend with were many; still, the sing- ing of Psalms in the huts and under the bushes was something inexplicable to the superficial beholder; with many there was a faith in God, and a consciousness of a noble purpose. * **
"In the latter part of that first summer our trials reached their climax, for the whole colony became one bed of sickness, and many died through the want of comfortable dwellings and well prepared and suitable food. Physicians were summoned from abroad, and paid out of the colony funds. The condition was heart-rending and discouraging, and required, in opposition to man's sensitive nature, a painful sternness. Never was I nearer to the point of despair than when I entered those crowded huts and saw the constant mingling of household duties amid sickness and death, and dressing of corpses in those huts where each family was forced to accommodate itself to a limited space of a few square feet. No wonder that we could notice an increase of despairing indifference in that hour of sore affliction. God granted a change! The sick were restored to health.
"The fall was a most beautiful one, and the winter was so extraordinarily mild, that everybody could build and perform out-door labors and even partake of their meals in the open air. The majority left for the country, and to a great extent the weak and needy remained near the landing place." " *
The great mortality of that season among the colonists, had left then with many orphans on their hands, who were promptly taken in by other families and cared for. Their constant increase, however, led to the building of the orphan house, a project in perfect keeping with the spirit in which they had started out. One Sunday morning, a few
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months after the partial completion and occupation of the log church, Ds. Van Raalte suggested to his people the necessity that something of this kind should be done, and that forth- with. He urged it with all the power and force of language at his command. The result was, not only the opening of a subscription list, and the pledging of money, labor and ma- terial, but with a commendable devotion, the jewelry of the wives of the colonists was freely contributed towards this object.
The building was begun in May, 1848. Mr. W. J. Mul- der was principally charged with superintending its construc- tion. It was not completed until the year following; owing to various reasons, it has never been, occupied for the pur- pose for which it was built. It was afterwards used for a pa- rochial school, town-house, and Holland Academy, and at present as De Hope printing office.
During the fall of 1847, the village of Holland was platted. The first surveys were made by E. B. Bassett, County Sur- veyor or Allegan county. The administration and sale of the village lots was placed in charge of a board of trustees, elected by the people of the Volksvergadering, of which Ds. Van Raalte was the head. As members of said Board, we find the names of J. Schrader, J. Verhorst, J. Van Der Veen, O. D. Van Der Sluis and B. Grootenhnis. We cannot go into all the minute details of those early real estate transactions. In their character they partook of the mutual spirit in which all the business of those days was transacted. The price of the village lots was first fixed at $10 and $15, but was soon raised to $40 and $45. This was found necessary in order to obtain funds for the building of church and school, the opening of roads, payments on the lands, taxes, support of the poor, salaries of the domine, doctor and teachers, and divers other purposes.
In 1849, matters pertaining to these village lands, became quite complicated. There was a heavy indebtedness incurred, which had to be met-payments on the lands were due, an unpaid balance on that stock of goods of the " colony-store" was pre- sented, and many other causes of a financial character led the people to resolve that the village lands should revert to Ds.
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Van Raalte, coupled with the condition that he was to assume all the indebtedness incurred to date.
The opening of roads and the building of bridges across creeks and swamps, was a tremendous work in those early days, and it occupied about one-half of the time and attention of the settlers. Want of experience was a great draw-back.
In 1847, the State made an appropriation of four hundred acres of land for the building of a bridge across Black River, commonly termed the "Grand Haven Bridge." No contrac- tors could be found to take the job, and so the colonists, as a body, concluded to take the job themselves. How this was done, and in what manner the work was regulated, will be seen from the proceedings of the Volksvergadering. The work was begun in the winter of 1848; but towards the last the work began to drag, when Ds. Van Raalte and J. Binnekant took the job of finishing it. In the building of this bridge, Hon. F. J. Littlejohn, of Allegan, represented the State.
The post-office was established in 1848, and named " Black River." Mr. H. D. Post was appointed postmaster. The first mail was a private route from Manlius, the nearest post- office, and was brought in once a week. Mr. William Notting was mail-carrier, and brought it on his back to his honse, when his wife would carry it to town. Very soon routes were estab- lished to Allegan, Grand Rapids and Grand Haven. The first regular mail-carriers and stage-drivers were J. Trimpe, Jan van Dijk, P. F. Pfanstielil and G. J. Haverkate.
The present cemetery was laid out, or rather designated as such, in 1848. Nevertheless, owing to the distances, and for want of roads and suitable burial arrangements, during the years 1847-1848 many were buried in other localities, as neces- sity dietated. Besides those buried on Van der Haar's farm .. many were laid at the head of the lake between 3d and 4th streets, where the old man De Witt lived, who was the first sex- ton. A few are buried at Point Superior. Several were buried at the mouth of Black Lake, on the hills north of the present harbor. The winds, however, so shifted those hills that years ago these coffins became exposed, scattering the remains along the beach.
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Much that is interesting is centered around the first attempts at manufacturing by the colonists; also in their harbor, the improvement of which they considered as of primary interest. The organization of the first churches and their formal joining with the " Reformed " denomination, the opening of schools, the Holland Academy and Hope College, the history of town- ship and city government, the proceedings of the Volksverga- dering, the settlement of Zeeland and surrounding townships, the early history of Point Superior and of the Indian settle- ments, the development of our commerce and shipping inter- ests, and many other points of local interest, each constituting its part of the history of this city and colony, will all be touched in separate chapters.
What we wish to call the attention to now, as a sort of a key to the past, is the great extent to which the colonists combined all their interests-religions, educational, political and social- into one, and placed them under one supervision; and how to that same extent the church and its religions interests was secondary to none, but, if anything, was made to underlie the entire net-work of their existence.
Finally, as we dismiss from our minds the local events of those memorable years 1847 and 1848, let it be in the words of him to whom we have endeavored to do honor as the founder of this Holland Colony:
" And the sweet fruition of independence and full liberty which we so bountifully enjoyed, gave joy and strength to our hearts. Especially was it the pleasure of the Sabbath, the in- vigorating power of God's truth, the united prayer and associ- ated labor of many neighboring settlements, which gave enjoy- ments, support and courage, and caused us to persevere in a great and difficult undertaking. God's temporal deliverances were many; each settlement and each family has a history of its own."
ADDITIONAL.
It is due to Mr. Van Schelven to say that what is here pub- lished as his, is a selection from his manuscripts, necessarily brought within certain bonnds. From other sources, we gather what follows:
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During the first years of trial, the colonists were held together by their strong religious sympathy. Van Raalte was their leader, spiritual and temporal. His preaching nerved them to do and endure. In 1848, they erected a church. The same year, Oswald Vanderhuis, a Hollander with property, put up a saw-mill at the head of the lake. About the same time, Wm. Flietstra erected the famous windmill to carry a gang of saws. The fault with that was, it would not go; and it caused the Hollanders to be very much laughed at. In Vanderhuis' mill, stones were put for grinding. Also a grist-mill was built between Ilolland and Zeeland.
During the first years, the troubles and trials were those depicted in speaking of the Zeeland colony. To partienlarize would be only repetition. During this time the colonists were under the highest obligations to Alfred Plugger, a noble-souled Hollander, who, having money, resigned his all in helping. those in need; lending to the poor, to be repaid when they could; helping them to secure and improve their farms. He lived to realize the truth of the promise implied in the Scripture, often quoted by him, "Cast thy bread upon the waters," etc. He lost nothing by it; but found his property all repaid to him; and he died Nov. 1st, 1864, with the love and benedictions of all.
In 1847, the settlement in North Holland was begun. Van Raalte told William Tongerin he had learned from the Indians that good land lay at the north, and that he had better go and look. He, with Jan Van Dyke, followed an Indian trail about five miles, found as represented, returned, and reported. In the winter of 1849-50, Jan Vantongeren, Gerrett Van Dyke, his sons-Jan, Jacob, Albert and Otto-and his two daughters -all unmarried; Coenrad Smidt and family-Jan, Peter, Coenrad, William and Arent; Jan Stag, Sr., and Cars Weener came in, and put up log honses. They brought in one stove, four men drawing it on a hand-sled. They took up govern- ment land. The next year, Jan Spykerman and Jan Veldheer followed. They cut a road to Holland the first winter.
Enough were together to form a little community by them- selves. They established public worship, held meetings in
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private houses and barns-anywhere. They met for devotion, not display. The first church building was a small frame structure, now part of the parsonage. In the fall of 1856 they had their first school, with Herman Grebel as the teacher. He now lives in Grand Rapids.
Arent Smith says he first came through with a team from Holland. It took two days. The first night he left the wagon stuck in the mud, and returned.
In 1860, the first church was built. The church had been organized in 1851. The first pastor was the Rev. E. C. Oggel, who assumed charge in 1866. He left in 1869, and was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, Rev. B. Van Ness, March, 1870. Then the number of families was 80. At present (1875) the number is 120.
On the whole, the settlement was a success; the land was good, and thrift has rewarded labor.
HOLLAND FIRE.
At the same time that Chicago was in flames, the little city of Holland was made a desolation by the fire fiend. The night of terror, October 8-9th, 1871, left three-fourths of the people without houses-all went-swept by the besom of destruction.
The season had been remarkably without rain, everything was dry, the swamps without water, and fires were in the woods in all parts of Michigan and Wisconsin. A territory in Mich- igan larger than the State of Massachusetts was burned over; villages and houses were consumed. The gloom of night hung over all. The smoke of burning Chicago, and the fires in the villages and woods, filled the air with almost suffocating smoke. For some days a fire had been in a swamp a few miles from Holland. It was slowly approaching the city. Between it and the city was a piece of woods where the stand must be taken; for if it passed the woods, it came to a slashing, and the doom of the city was inevitable, as the wind was towards it. Sunday, the Sth, there was a rallying to meet the fire in the woods, and everything promised success. But too few realized the real danger. At the critical time some men deserted their post, and the fire got over-got into the slashings, and from that in a few minutes into the city.
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The wind was high, and the fire leaped from one building to another; the air was filled with the burning boards and shingles, giving a perfect rain of fire. To escape with life was all that could be hoped for. Few saved any of their goods or animals, and many nothing but their night clothing. An hour did the work, and what a desolation did the morning exhibit! Houseless, homeless, half-naked, the people were contemplating the scene, stupified by the appalling desolation.
Two persons lost their lives-one an old woman in the fire, the other a young woman in consequence of it.
But did the Hollanders despair? The same spirit that built it at the first, rebuilt it. A Hollander does not die until death calls for him. The city is now regenerated-"improved," they say, by the fire.
FAILURES.
Two cities were laid out on the north side of the lake-the one in earnest, the other on paper.
A company of Eastern capitalists, called the Black River Company, with Capt. Macy at the head, in 1835, commenced in earnest to found a city on the north shore of Black Like, at the spot now known as the Hope College Lands. They laid ont a town and called it "Superior." They began work in earnest; made a road to Grand Haven, and another to the mouth of the Kalamazoo River; put up a steam mill; had a ship-yard, and made other improvements. They built a schoon- er, and Henry Knox put up a tannery. There a son was born to James C. Hale-the first white birth in the region of Black Lake.
Capt. Macy was killed at Kalamazoo, and the soul of Supe- rior having departed, the town collapsed and died. The ma- chinery was taken out of the mill, the residents departed, and Superior became a matter of recollection only.
This much may be said: the site was well chosen, and the enterprise ought to have succeeded.
What Yankees with capital and brains failed to do, the Dutchmen, without capital and without the credit of an over- plus of the other article, accomplished on the other side of the lake a few years after. Religious unity and plodding perse- verance did what talent and capital failed to do.
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The other "city " deserves but a passing mention. It was laid out on the north side, at the mouth, and called Ports- mouth. Nothing was done to develop it.
THE CITY.
Holland was organized as a city in 1867, with Dr. Bernardus Leedboer as Mayor, and H. D. Post, Recorder. Second Mayor, Isaac Cappen; third, Edward I. Harrington; fourth, Isaac Cappen; fifth, John Vanlandigham. The first Marshal was Tennis Keppel.
MANUFACTORIES.
Plow factory. agricultural implements, planing mill, sash and blind, small carriage shops, stave factory and flour barrels-a large concern; two large tanneries.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CAPON & BERTSCH'S LEATHER COMPANY.
It commenced operation in 1857 on small scale. At the time of the fire its capacity was 15,000 hides. It now employs fifty men; uses 33,000 hides, and 3,000 cords of bark annually; and makes all kinds of leather.
Smith's Tannery, across the bay; employs twenty-five men; capacity, 20,- 000 hides. At this establishment finishing is not done.
NEWSPAPERS AT HOLLAND. DE HOPE.
This is a religious paper, in the interest of the Reformed Church; printed in the Holland language; and is the organ of that church. It was established in 1866 by the council of Hope College; at first edited by Prof. P. G. Oggell; now by an editorial committee, with Prof. C. Doesburg as managing editor. Its circulation is about 2,000.
THE HOLLANDER.
The publication of this paper was begun in the fall of 1850. H. D. Post was editor of the English part, and G. Vander Wall of the Dutch. It was published by Hawkes and Bassett. In 1851, Hermanns Doesburg bought the office and the paper was edited by Doesburg and Vander Wall. Two years afterward Doesburg became sole editor; Vander Wall left, went to Kalama- zoo, and published the " Nederlander"; afterwards finished his studies at Brunswick College, became a preacher and Professor in Hope College. He is now a preacher in South Africa. He is a man of talent.
Mr. Doesburg still continues proprietor of the paper. It is edited by Wmn. Benjaminse.
HOLLAND CITY NEWS.
Started in the spring of 1872. by Dr. S. L. Morris, as editor and proprietor, who run it for a year as a Republican paper. It then fell into the hands of Van Schelven, who has kept it up as independent. Circulation, 600. .
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DE GRONDWEET (DUTCH).
Established in 1859, by Roost & Hoogesteger. Republican in politics. Circulation, 1,500. Now published by Hoogesteger & Mulder.
The Ottawa Register was published five years by H. D. Post. "De Wach- ter" was begun at Holland, and removed to Grand Rapids. "De Paarl " also had a transient existence at Holland.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first class was organized in 1866. The full list of the members cannot be given, as the records were destroyed by the fire that burned up the city. The names of some of them were:
Isaac Fairbanks. John Roost. John Bakker, Jacob Flieman, Francis Hall, Martin Clark, James L. Fairbanks, Robert Symonds, Andrew Anderson and Richard K. Heald.
The persons most prominent in starting the church were Michael J. Clap- pen, Isaac Fairbanks and Richard K. Heald.
Three churches have been built. First, about the year 1868; size 22 by 30, cost about $700. Second, in 1871; size 33 by 60; cost $1,500; was not com- pleted when destroyed by the fire in 1871. Third, built in 1872; size 33 by 70, cost $2,200; now used.
The pastors have been: 1st, Rev. P. Gilbert; 2d, Daniel S. Bacon; 3d, G. E. Hollister; 4th, J. R. Wilkinson, 5th, Wm. A. Bronson; 6th, B. F. Dough- ty: 7th, Francis Glass; 8th, Wm. M. Coplin.
Present number about 60. Congregation from 50 to 100.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Organized in the fall of 1867. with very few communicants. Those who originated it are M. D. Howard and Heber Walsh.
The first Episcopal services at Holland were by the Rev. Robert Wood, who in 1866 officiated twice, and baptized eight or ten persons. part of them adults. Occasional services were held until 1863 by J. R. Taylor, in the school-house built by American residents. This building became the prop- erty of the church at the time of its organization. It was destroyed in the great fire.
In 1868, Mr. Taylor was called from Grand Haven. He remained pastor until 1874, when he resigned, and went to New York. After a year, Mr. Taylor returned, and still remains.
New church built in 1872; cost $5,500. Communicants, 26; congrega- tion, 75.
HOPE COLLEGE.
The incipient movement which has resulted in the establishment of this col- Jege, was the starting of a Latin class in the public school at Holland, then under the charge of Walter T. Taylor. At the same time there was a man- ifest desire on the part of the Dutch Reformed church at the East to bring about close relations with the Holland emigrants, and to found an academic school at the West, which should be a feeder of Rutgers' College. Prof. Taylor began the classical department of the public school. This school was developed, in 1855, into what became known as the Holland Academy. In
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1862. the first Freshman class of the new college was formed out of the Academy. Previous to that the students had gone to Rutgers' College. The General Synod, in 1863, approved the collegiate department and appointed a board of superintendents. In 1865, the four classes were complete. The college was incorporated May 14th, 1866; the first president inaugurated on the 14th of the following July. The first class graduated the 17th of the same month.
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