USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 48
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LEGISLATIVE.
IONIA COUNTY.
1836. As a town attached to Kent.
1837. Organized as a county with two towns, Ionia and Maple (tempo- rary); one and a half tiers of towns on the east side, to constitute Maple: the rest, Ionia. All territory north attached for judicial purposes; the two organized. State road from Dexter to Lyons.
1838. Boston set off, and organized. Portland constituted a town; 5 and 6 north of range 5 W., and 5 and 6 north of east half of range 6 W. Otisco constituted a town: T. 7 and 8 north, range 8 W. Cass, 5 and 6 N., 7 W., and half of 5 and 6 N., R. 6 W., and all that part of 7 N., R. 6 W., south of Grand River. State road from Kalamazoo to Ionia.
1839. T. 5 N., R. 8 W., attached to Boston.
1840. Lyons, name changed from Maple. Montcalm county, attached for judicial purposes. State road from Marshall to Ionia.
1842. Berlin, name changed from Cass. Keene, what is east of Flat River. in T. 7 N., R. 8 W., made a town. Dam, in T. 7, N., R. 5 W., authorized. 1843. Lyons, extended to take T. 9 and 10 N .. R. 6 W. Easton, all north of Grand River in T. 7, N., R. 7, W., made a town.
1844. North Plains organized, T. 8, 9 and 10, N., R. 5 W., except what · lies south of Maple River. Part of Boston annexed to Keene (north of Grand River). State road from Lyons to Grand Rapids.
1845. Danby organized, T. 5, N .. R. 5 W. Orange organized, T. 6. N., R. 6, W. Sebewa organized. T. 5, N., R. 6 W. Ronald organized, T. 8, N., R. 6 W.
1845. State roads-Marshall to Ionia; Lyons to Ada; Kalamazoo to Ionia.
1846. Orleans organized, T. 8, N. 7 W. Odessa organized, T. 5, N. 7 W. Keene annexes Secs. 7 and 18 from Otisco. Keene, part of south of Grand River addled to Boston. 6 Ionia county supervisors authorized to build a bridge at Lyons; 2,000 acres appropriated.
1848. Ionia enlarged by detachments from Lyons and Berlin.
1849. Keene-a fraction set off to Otisco. Otisco-fraction added from Keene. Boston-the part of Keene south of the river added. Keene-the
532
MEMORIALS OF THE
part of south of the river attached to Boston. Bridge at Lowell-super- visors authorized to construct a free bridge. Lyons-part of plat vacated. Campbell organized, 5 N., 8 W. Fraction of Keene added to Otisco. Bos- ton adds so much of T. 8 as lies north of Grand River, set off from Keene.
1859. Muir-name changed from Montrose. Boston-village, changed to "Saranac." Lyons-act to incorporate legalized.
1863. Ionia-name changed from "Ionia County Seat."
1865. Hubbardston, new plat legalized.
1867. Lyons village incorporated. North Plains adds that portion of Lyons cut off by Maple River. Lyons loses the above to North Plains.
1869. Portland chartered as a village; Saranac chartered as a village.
1871. Muir incorporated; Hubbardston incorporated; Pewamo incor- porated.
KENT COUNTY.
1836. The county organized with Ottawa, Ionia and Clinton attached for judicial purposes; Byron organized, T. 5 and 6, N. R. 12 and 13 W. State Roads-Kalamazoo (Bronson) to Grandville; Grandville to Black River.
1837. All north of Kent and Ottawa counties not included in any organ- ized county, attached for judicial purposes. Toll bridge chartered at Grand Rapids; Ionia county detached, and all territory north; authorized to bor- row $10,000 for a court house.
1838. Ada organized, towns 5, 6 and 7, N. R. 10 W .; Plainfield, all of the townships 8 N., ranges 10 and 11 W., north of Grand River; Walker, including all north; Vergennes, towns 5, 6, 7 and 8, N. R. 6 W .; Grand Rapids' village. incorporated; railroad, G. R. & Port Sheldon; State Road from Grand Rapids to Muskegon.
1839. Paris, Towns 5 and 6, N. R., 11 W. Courtland, T. N. 10 W. Grand Rapids, $25,000 appropriated for canal and the rapids. State road from Kal- amazoo to Grand Rapids.
1840. $5,000 appropriated to continue the work at the Salt Springs, on Grand River. Newaygo and Macosta counties attached for judicial purposes. County enlarged, by attaching two tiers of towns at the north. Caledonia organized, 5 N. R. 9 and 10 W. State Roads: Clinton to Grand Rapids; Eaton county to Grand Rapids; Hastings to Grand Papids.
1841. Courtland extended; takes T. 9, N. 9 W.
1842. Grand Rapids, name changed from Kent. Salt Springs; Grand Rapids and Midland, $15,000 appropriated.
1843. Bridge at Ada; supervisors authorized to tax the county $1,000.
1844. Free Bridge at Grand Rapids; 6,000 acres appropriated. Academy at Grand Rapids chartered. State road from Lyons to Grand Rapids. State road from Gull Prairie to Grand Rapids.
1845. State roads-Barry county to Grand Rapids; Grand Rapids to Mus- kegon River; Greenville to Grand Haven; Grand Rapids to Muskegon Lake.
1846. Grand River Valley Railroad chartered from Grand Rapids to Jack- son. Newaygo county attached to Kent; Vergennes organized as a town, except 11 N. 16 W., which is attached to Muskegon. Sparta, 9 and 10, R. 12 W. organized; Plainfield has 9 N. 11 W. added, detached from Court-
533
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
land; Grattan, T. 8, N. 9 W., set off from Vergennes and organized; Church- town, 8 N. 10 W., organized.
1847. The supervisors authorized to construct a canal around the rapids; 25,000 acres of land appropriated; Alpine, T. 8, N. 12 W., organized; Wabesis organized (legislative mistake). Plainfield has added to it what of Town 8 lies south of Grand Rapids; Battle Creek and Grand Rapids railroad charter amended; Kalamazoo & Grand Rapids R. R. chartered; Cannon (changed from Churchtown).
1848. Lowell, T. 6, N. 9 W. set off from Vergennes. Wyoming. 6 N. 12 W. set off from Byron and made a town. Gaines, 5 N. 11 W. set off from Paris, and organized as a town. Wabesis, name changed back to Courtland; and T. 10, N. 9 and 10 W. attached. Cascade, 6 N. 10 W. detached from Ada, and became a town (all south of Grand River). Free bridge at Plain- field (1,000 acres of land appropriated.) Kent County received 3,000 acres of land for bridges; 1,000 for Plainfield; 1,000 for Ada; 400 for Thornapple River and 600 for Cascade Bridge; Grand Rapids charter amended. Plank Road, Grand River, chartered.
1849. County seat to be located by Commissioners, appointed by the Governor. Algoma organized; set off from Plainfield, T. 9, N. 11 W. Bowne set off from Caledonia and organized T. 5, N. 9 W. Lowell bridge authorized. Oakfield set off from Courtland, and made a town-T. 9, N. 9 W.
1850. Plank road chartered from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Grand Rapids city charter amended. Kent county seat to be determined by Com- missioners. St. Mark's College chartered.
1851. Newaygo detached, and organized; Grand Rapids charter amended.
1852. Grand Rapids charter amended.
1855. Act relative to improving Grand River (canal given up). Grand Rapids charter amended. Grand Rapids-act for improving the rapids with the unexpended balance of the appropriation. State road from Grand Rapids to Grand Traverse.
1857. 5,000 acres of land appropriated for the improvement of Flat River. Lowell Village-name changed from Danville. Grand Rapids char- ter revised.
1859. Lowell Village incorporation legalized. (It had before been incor- porated by the Supervisors.) Grand Rapids charter amended.
1861. Lowell incorporated. Act to quiet titles in Kent county on account of loss by the fire. Grand Rapids charter amended. Kent county-act to quiet titles.
1863. Grand Rapids charter amended.
1864. Grand Rapids authorized to pledge its credit to the Jackson and Indiana Railroad.
1865. Scranton's Abstracts made prima facie evidence of title; Lowell incorporated (village).
1867. 3,000 acres appropriated for the improvement of Flat River.
1869. Lowell authorized to re-survey; Lisbon village chartered; Cale- donia re-organized.
1870. Cedar Springs incorporated.
1875. Grand Rapids' Superior Court established.
534
MEMORIALS OF THE
OTTAWA COUNTY.
1836. State road from Grand Haven to Allegan.
1837. County organized with three towns-Talmadge, Ottawa and Mus- kegon; the act dates Dec. 29th, 1837.
1838. Talmadge, 7 and 8, N. R. 13 W.
1838. Ottawa county, organized and divided into three towns-Ottawa, Muskegon and Talmadge, by a line between, towns 8 and 9; Port Sheldon & Grand Rapids railroad chartered.
1839. Talmadge enlarged, towns 7 and 8, R. 14; Georgetown organized, towns 5 and 6, N. R. 13 and 14 W .; Norton organized, 8 N., 15 and 16 W., north of Grand River, and south half of N. 15 and 16 W .; all north attached for judicial purposes.
1842. Georgetown has added to it the part of Talmadge, south of the Grand River. Talmadge loses the same. Talmadge, the part of T. 7, N., R. 14 W. set off to Ottawa. Ottawa gains the same. Talmadge, what part of Georgetown is north of Grand River is attached. Georgetown loses the same.
1845. Polkton constituted, T. 5, 6, 7 and 8, N., R. 14 W. Georgetown enlarged by adding some fractional sections. State roads, Grandville to Grand Haven. Norton added certain fractions.
1846. Georgetown, T. 5 and 6 N., R. 14 W., added. Polkton loses the same. Polkton, part of T. 7, N., R. 14 W., south of Grand River, detached. Ottawa gains the above.
1847. Wright organized, set off from Talmadge, T. 7, N., R. 13 W. Georgetown, what is north of Grand River, set off. Talmadge gains the same. Holland organized, T. 5, N. 19, 15, 16 W.
1848. Chester set off from Wright. Holland, T. 5, N., R. 14, 15, 16, for one year attached to Ottawa.
1849. Crockery, constituted a town, T. 5, N., R. 15 W., except what is south of Grand River. Port Sheldon, plat vacated. Allendale organizrd, T. 5 and 6 N., R. 14 W .. and the part of T. 7, south of Grand River. Spring Lake, organized of several fractions. Holland organized. Ravenna organ- ized, T. 7 N, R. 16 W. Jamestown organized, T. 7, N., R. 13 W. State road from T. 8. N., R. 16 W. ,to Muskegon Lake.
1850. Holland adds T. 5, N., R. 14 W. from Allendale. Spring Lake, part of T. 7 N. R. 15 W. added.
1851. Zeeland, by supervisors. Chester, T. 10. N. R. 13 W., attached.
1852. Casnovia organized.
1854. Blendon organized.
1855. Eastman, from T. 6, N. 16 W. and 6, N. 15 W .; Holland adds T. 6, N. 15 W. from Ottawa; Norton organized from T. 9, N. 17 W. and T. 7, N. 15, 16 W.
1856. Robinson organized.
1857. Olive organized; Lamont, name changed from Middlebury; canal in Muskegon River declared a public highway; Muskegon improvement, act for.
1858. Holland authorized to levy taxes for improving the harbor; Mus- kegon improvement act amended.
535
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
1859. Muskegon county established.
1861. Muskegon and other counties authorized to levy a harbor tax; Muskegon River improvement; Muskegon incorporated.
1863. Grand Haven, name changed from Ottawa; Holland Harbor act amended.
1864. Grand Haven authorized to pledge its credit to the railroad from New Buffalo: Muskegon authorized to pledge its credit for a railroad to connect with the D. & M.
1865. Black Lake harbor appropriation; Holland may aid Black Lake harbor; Muskegon improvement; Muskegon for constructing free bridge.
1866. Oceana T. 12, N. 17 W., and the part of 11 N. 17 W., lying north of White Lake. Blue Lake-T. 12, N. 16 W., organized. White Lake- all that part of 11 N., 17 W., south of White Lake and T. 11, N. 16 W., organized and called Dalton. Ottawa county allowed two Representatives. Muskegon county allowed one Representative. Black Lake Harbor appro- priation. Holland authorized to establish a rate of tolls for the improvement of the harbor. Laketon organized, T. 10, N. 17 W.
1867. Grand Haven City chartered; Holland City chartered. Holland authorized to resurvey. Spring Lake-name changed from Mill Point. White Hall-name changed from Mears and incorporated.
1871. Fruitport-name changed from Lovell. Holton-12 N., 15 W., organized. The east 18 sections detached from Norton and added to Fruit- port.
1872. Grand Haven charter amended.
SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
List of Senators and and Representatives to the State Legislature from the counties of Ionia, Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon, from 1836 to 1860, inclusive. By the courtesy of Hon. E. G. D. Holden, Secretary of State.
IONIA COUNTY.
Roswell Britton, Rep. in 1836 for the counties of Clinton, Ionia, Kent (See list for Kent Co. for 137-8-9.) Ottawa.
Digby V. Bell, Rep. in 1840, for Ionia, Kent and Ottawa Counties.
(See list for Kent Co. for 1841.)
George W. Dexter, Rep. in 1842 66
(See list for Kent Co. for 1843-4.)
Adam L. Roof,
Rep. in 1845
John L. Morse,
Rep. in 1846
Alexander F. Bell,
Rep. in 1847
Ananias Worden,
Rep. in 1848
1
Cyrus Lovell,
Rep. in 1847
Rep. in 1850 66 66
Frederick Hall, D. L. Case, Rep. in 1851-2
66
Chas. Ingalls, Rep. in 1853-4
Sen. in 1855-6
66
-
J. H. Beckwith, Cyrus Lovell, Rep. in 1855-6
G. W. Germain,
Rep. in 1857-8
for Ionia County. 1
Adamı L. Roof,
Sen. in 1849-50 "
66
536
MEMORIALS OF THE
Alonzo Sessions, Osmond Tower, Almeron Newman, Alonzo Sessions,
Rep. in 1857-8 for Ionia County.
Sen. in 1859-60 66
66
Rep. in 1879-60 "
Rep. in 1859-60 " 66
KENT COUNTY.
John Almy,
Rep. in 1837,
for Ionia, Kent and Ottawa counties.
John Ball,
Rep. in 1838,
Noble H. Finney,
Rep. in 1839.
(See Ionia county list for 1840.)
Henry P. Bridge,
Sen. in 1841,
66
66
66
Charles I. Walker.
Rep. in 1841,
66
66
Digby V. Bell,
Sen. in 1842-3,
66
66
(See Ionia county list for 1842.)
Simeon M. Johnson, Rep. in 1843,
66
Silas G. Harris, Rep. in 1847-8, for Kent and Ottawa counties.
Charles H. Taylor,
Rep. in 1848,
Rix Robinson,
Sen. in 1849-50,
66
66
66
Henry Smith,
Rep. in 1849,
Henry Pennoyer,
Rep. in 1849, 66
66
66
66
66
* Silas G. Harris,
Rep. in 1850,
Thos. B. Church,
Rep. in 1851-2, 66
* Thos. W. Ferry, Truman H. Lyon,
Sen. in 1853-4, 66
Henry C. Smith,
Rep. in 1853-4, Rep. in 1853-4,
Kent county.
Dewitt Shoemaker, W. D. Foster,
Sen. in 1855-6, 66
Thos. B. Church,
Rep. in 1855-6,
66
Smith Lapham,
Rep. in 1855-6, 66 66 66
Smith Lapham,
Sen. in 1857-8,
66
Lewis Porter,
Rep. in 1857-8, 66
66
66
Francis W. Kellogg, Rep. in 1857-8, 66
Volney Caukin,
Rep. in 1857-8, 66
66
Lewis Porter,
Sen. in 1859-60,
66
Geo. W. Allen,
Rep. in 1859-60, "
66
S. S. Fallass,
Rep. in 1859-60, “ 66
M. C. Watkins,
Rep. in 1859-60, " 66
66
OTTAWA COUNTY.
Hiramı Jennison, Rep. in 1853-4, for Ottawa county.
M. L. Hopkins,
Sen. in 1855-6,
66
Robert W. Duncan,
Rep. in 1855-6,
66
Thos. W. Ferry,
Sen. in 1857-8.
E. W. Merrill,
Rep. in 1857-8,
66
66
66
Wm. A. Richmond,
Sen. in 1844-5,
66
Thomas W. White, Rep. in 1844, (See lonia county list for 1845-6.)
66
66
66
66
66
66
Philo Beers,
Rep. in 1850,
Rep. in 1851-2,
66
66
66
66
66
* Resident of Ottawa county.
537
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
Henry Pennoyer, Sen. in 1859-60, for Ottawa county.
James Dalton, Jr., Rep. in 1859-60, " 66
MUSKEGON COUNTY.
Was organized in 1859. First election of Representative and county offi- cers held in Dec., 1860.
Chauncy Davis, Rep. in 1861-2, from Muskegon county.
PERSONS IN THE GRAND RIVER VALLEY WHO HAVE HELD PROMINENT OFFICES IN THE STATE.
Edward L. Mundy, Lieutenant Governor, 1855-9; also Judge of the Cir- cuit Court.
George Martin, Circuit Judge and Chief Justice.
Charles H. Taylor, E. G. D. Holden, Secretaries of State.
Albert Williams, Byron D. Ball, Attorney-Generals.
Lewis Lovell, S. G. Harris, Birney Hoyt, Flavius J. Littlejohn, Circuit Judges.
Henry H. Holt, Alonzo Sessions, Lieutenant Governors.
1855. Cyrus Lovell, of Ionia, was Speaker of the House.
1850. Silas G.Harris was Speaker of the House. Francis Kellogg was mem- ber of Congress from 1859 to 1865. Thomas W. Ferry was member of Con- gress from 1865-two terms; elected a third time, but did not serve; pro- inoted to the U. S. Senate, 1871; was President pro tem., 1866.
1865. L. S. Withey, Judge W. Dist. U. S. C. Osmond Taver, U. S. Marshal.
1865. Geo. Martin, Chief Justice. Thomas D. Gilbert, Regent of Uni- versity
POPULATION OF THE GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
IONIA COUNTY.
1874
1870
1864
1860
1854
1850
1845
Berlin.
1,659
1,587
1,152
1,026
570
391
348
Boston
1,893
1,916
1,391
1,244
635
421
241
Campbell
1,179
1,120
598
518
228
..
. .
Danby
1,140
1,176
529
727
452
262
150
Easton
1,164
1,401
9:22
837
611
397
278
Ionia
1,496
4,158
2,359
1,926
1,129
774
654
Ionia City
3,251
Keene.
1,202
1,271
1,125
1,150
813
737
390
Lyons.
2,843
2,855
1,927
1,949
981
850
705
N. Plains
1.803
1,976
1,187
921
549
292
264
Odessa.
1,087
959
559
488
225
81
.
Orange
1,341
1,382
826
801
592
378
348
Orleans
1,423
1,426
1,068
857
684
491
. ..
O.isco .
1,684
1,570
1,355
1,349
1,331
1,018
607
l'ortland
2,596
2,353
1,531
1,381
1,036
763
654
Ronald.
1,324
1,356
824
893
570
452
201
Sebewa
1,291
1,139
631
598
331
247
100
TOTAL
28,376
27,675
17,984
16,665
10,727
7,597
5,101
538
MEMORIALS OF THE
KENT COUNTY.
1874
1870
1864
1860
1854
1850
1845
Ada .
1,351
1,427
1,094
1,116
746
593
497
Algoma.
2,591
1,959
992
993
570
233
. ..
Alpine
1,348
1,445
1,194
1,248
861
618
...
Bowne
1.240
1.275
814
745
357
..
. .
Byron
1,504
1,328
1,145
1,042
637
309
493
Cannon
1,205
1,205
1,142
1,061
874
696
.
Caledonia
1,680
1,599
923
762
301
99
127
Cascade
1,050
1,157
940
803
526
358
Courtland
1,287
1,340
1,388
957
703
406
400
Gaines
1,273
1.205
961
868
515
319
648
. ..
G. Rapids
1,941
1,651
1,053
1,021
872
461
G. R. City
25.923
16,508
8,772
8,090
4,278
2,686
1,510
Lowell .
2,826
3.086
1,417
1,200
473
214
. .
Nelson
2,361
1,102
430
461
643
645
Paris
1,816
1,543
1,443
1,327
789
521
485
Plainfield
1,499
1,499
1,126
1,240
807
659
565
Sparta
1,587
1,666
1,032
941
531
309
. . .
Spencer.
662
580
209
..
. . . .
. . .
Solon
1,310
911
391
393
. . . .
...
. . .
Tyrone
866
730
257
173
..
.
Vergennes.
1.129
1,342
1,210
1,347
1,042
876
850
Walker
1,884
1,675
1,279
1,430
756
823
1,122
Wyoming
2,008
1,787
1,195
1,239
788
543
TOTAL
62,671
50,410
33,458
30,721
17,869
12,016
6,049
OTTAWA COUNTY.
1874
1870
1864
1860
1854
1850
1845
Allendale
762
799
298
245
196
168
. ..
Blendon
639
718
276
381
85
. .. .
Chester .
1,397
1,405
1,034
721
500
216
. .. .
Crockery
1,124
1,125
574
396
275
247
. . . .
Georgetown
1,464
1,474
918
973
457
196
133
Holland .
2,716
2,354
2,777
1,991
985
1,829
. ...
Holland City
2,469
2,324
. . ..
...
. ..
. .
. . . .
Olive
1,257
612
413
317
. .. .
....
. . . .
Grand Haven.
677
558
1,576
1,359
684
. .. .
....
.. .
Polkton .
2,267
2,416
1,242
1,222
570
430
321
Robinson
528
406
126
128
204
72
. ..
Spring Lake
2,345
1,836
844
743
655
268
98
Talmadge
1.475
1,451
1,093
1,145
746
545
Wright
2,064
2,077
1,584
1,520
868
521
551
Zeeland
2.576
2,343
1,693
1,467
912
... .
...
TOTAL
29,929
26,650
15,156 . 13,077
6,809
4.835
1,200
. .
Grattan
1.250
1,298
1,141
1,127
800
. . .
Oakfield
1,080
1,092
912
1,079
Grand Haven City. .
4,363
3,140
. .
Jamestown.
1,806
1,612
708
519
350
. . . .
·
539
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
MUSKEGON COUNTY.
1874
1870
1864
1860
1854
1850
1845
Casnovia
1,529
1,093
667
605
....
. .
....
Dalton.
425
401
674
243
....
... .
.. .
Eggleson
317
233
153
29
....
.. . .
. . . .
Moorland .
213
194
128
105
·
. .
. . . .
Muskegon
545
401
2,712
235
980
484
119
Norton
392
688
229
197
. .. .
...
. . .
Oceana
Ravenna.
934
1,035
429
393
655
268
98
White River
706
1,452
543
374
789
Cedar Creek
291
660
166
Blue Lake.
297
381
...
...
...
...
. . . .
Fruitland
208
228
...
.. .
. .. .
. .. .
.. . .
Fruitport.
378
167
....
....
. .
.. . .
Holton
620
. . .
. . . .
. . . .
. .. .
. . . .
Laketon.
1,332
1,039
... .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
Montague.
1,360
. .. .
....
. . . .
. ...
. . . .
Whitehall.
1,323
. . . .
. . . .
.. . .
...
...
TOTAL
19,375
14,892
5,812
3,893
2,424
752
217
.
111
214
.
. .
..
.. .
. . . .
Muskegon City
8,505
6,001
...
1,448
...
....
540
MEMORIALS OF THE
THE LUMBER INTEREST.
The saw mills of the lake region are justly the pride of the people, unsurpassed by any in the world. " In good old saslı- saw times," five hundred feet of pine boards in an hour, was the best work of the crack mills of Maine-then the great lumber State. About 1840, the cumbrous sash was in some mills abandoned, and by degrees the simple attachment of the saw, running in guides, directly to the pitman, was a great improvement in speed of action, and economy of power. About 1850, small circulars, with automatic arrangements for setting began to be used for narrow lumber. But these " siding ma- chines " had their day; being superseded by the large ciren- lars and machinery for edging and splitting lumber. Like the " sash " the "siding machine " is a matter of history. The Mulay, the gang and the circular are now the machines used. The Mulay is principally used as an appendage to the circulars and gangs, to prepare logs for their use.
A vast amount of inventive genius has been brought to bear upon the secondary operations, which can only be appreciated by a visit to one of the first class mills. The result is, a log enters the mill; is handled with but little apparent respect. but withal very scientifically; and in two or three minutes is out in the shape of lumber, cord-wood and saw-dust.
It is dangerous to go East and tell the truth about the Michigan saw-mills. To illustrate: Some short time since, Hoyt G. Post, a well known citizen, was with his relatives in New England, and to them described the Michigan saw mills. A good old uncle was grieved at the degeneracy of Hoyt. He said to his family: "I always thought Hoyt a boy of truth; but he has been telling us only a string of outrageous lies." Just tell one who has not seen it, that at Cutler & Savidge's mill, one saw cut nine sixteen-foot boards, sixteen
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GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
inches wide, in a minute, and the man will signal to you, ask- ing if you " see anything green " in him. Why, only sixteen years ago, the writer felt he was telling a big story when he said in the same Yankee land, that he had seen a six-foot eir- cular cut fifty feet in a minute. There are those who believe that Cutler & Savidge's best will yet look as small as that fifty feet does now.
LUMBER PRODUCT OF THE WEST SHORE OF MICHIGAN DURING 1876.
The following summary of the lumber eut in 1875 and 1876 is condensed from the Lumberman's Gazette:
Grand Rapids-8 mills of capacity of from 2,000,000 to 9,000,000; 1875, 39,000,000; 1876, 40,000,000.
Muskegon-21 mills; capacity from 2,000,000 to 25,000,- 000; 1875, 303,000,000; 1876, 290,000,000.
Montague-7 mills; 1875, 51,000,000; 1876, 52,000,000.
Whitehall-5 mills; 1875, 51,000,000; 1876, 52,000,000.
Spring Lake and Grand Haven-16 mills; 1875, 88,000,- 000; 1876, 59,000,000.
Other places-1875, 31,000,000; 1876, 25,000,000.
This is exclusive of the country mills for local supply.
The question is already agitating the mind of the political economist: "How long will this last? and what will be the final result?" At the rate the lumber is disappearing we know the supply will run low in a part of a century, variously figured. Until recently the eut-over pine lands were deemed worthless, or nearly so. In other places in this work will be found what people are doing with those lands; time will develop what they will do. This mneh it is safe to say-the lands will be ocenpied for agricultural purposes. Much of the soil is good for general farms, and what was supposed to be worthless sand is the "Fruit Belt" on the lake shore. We will not croak over the future. There are mines of wealth in the woods of Michigan. When those are no longer relied on we have the soil of Michigan.
Already there is coming up another interest, dependent on forest supply, the manufacture of articles constructed of hard wood. This interest will increase as the pine diminishes.
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MEMORIALS OF THE
We have not as yet to any great extent the manufacture of cotton, wool, and leather. These will come along.
Our infancy of occupation in the Grand River Valley is past. The youthful years, dependent on stripping the virgin forest, in the main are passed; we shall soon settle down into the habits of older communities, relying on the soil, on com- merce and manufactories, which bring steady habits in their train. At present, God speed the saw-mill.
The probability is, that the lumber interest never will increase. Its immensity as a business may be seen from the statistics preceding.
Muskegon county may be said to rest upon lumber; and it is the life of Grand Haven and Spring Lake.
The business furnishes winter employment to a great num- ber of men, cutting logs up the streams. It also employs many vessels for its transportation.
A brief sketch of the history of board-making may not be without its interest.
With the ancients, a whole tree was used to form one board. which was made by hewing off the surplus timber.
Next comes the saw, operated by two men-one above, and the other below the log; as may be seen now in a ship-yard. Then the operation of the saw by water, with a saw strained in a heavy sash, or, in other words, the "sash saw-mill." About 1840, it was found that the sash might be dispensed with, and we had the Mulay mill.
About 1857, the big circular began to be used, which has in the main superseded all other saws.
By degrees, minor improvements have been introduced to facilitate the various operations.
The result is, a log is treated with very little respect in a saw-mill of the present day. In one or two minutes from entering, it is out of the mill.
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