USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Bostwick, had been an Eastern merchant-a partner in a heavy firm, in New York, which, failing, divested him of all property which he held in his own right. He had still some $40,000 which belonged to his wife, and with that, and the funds of others, he did an extensive business. He fitted up for himself, with refined taste, a modest suburban residence, the location of which still bears his name. He located lands extensively, laid out and put in market that part of the city known as Bostwick's addition; built mills in different towns; established a colony on Crockery Creek; represented the people in the Senate; and in short, was in all kinds of speculations, each a brilliant scheme, when he began it, but sure to end unfavorably for him. If he had had means, he would have done great things, but he would have needed a renewal of his fortune once in five years. Too ardent for a busi- ness man, he was sure to overleap himself, and his schemes were about as sure to fail.
Generous to a fault, noble and manly, he won the deferential esteem of all, and they honored him with their highest distinctions. His personal pres- ence was of uncommon dignity. Physically, he was a specimen of noble, manly beauty. His mind was highly cultivated and refined-ardent, poetic and enthusiastic. His social qualities were unsurpassable. When his poetic enthusiasm could kindle itself by conversation with a sympathizing spirit, there was an entrancing power in the man.
We loved and honored him, and we could have wished him the best of fortune, but such was not his lot. Scheme after scheme failed; and he found himself involved in harrassing law-suits, and he felt what many others have
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
felt when money gave out. Would you know what that is? Once fail honestly, and you will be thoroughly instructed. Fail as a scoundrel, in an open and above-board way, swindling your creditors, and you are called shrewd and keen. But if you struggle manfully to maintain your honor and do justice to all, look out for hard words, and for costs superadded to your burden of debt. So it was with E. B. Bostwick. He struggled, and struggled man- fully, but every move seemed to sink him deeper, until finally he started for C'alifornia as a last resource. He sleeps his last sleep on the desert plains. It matters little how he died. While on the way he sent back letters for publication in the Grand Rapids papers. In one of those he thrilled the hearts of his readers by an account of "a grave by the wayside." Another letter came, but not from him. It was from Canton Smith, his companion, and it told of Bostwick's death, and his "grave by the wayside."
EDWARD L. BRIGGS.
Was born in the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga county, N. Y., July 30th, 1830. In 1834, his parents moved to Michigan, and settled near Ann Arbor. Mr. Briggs was educated in the common schools. In 1850 be removed to Grand Rapids, where he has since resided, with the exception of two years spent at the South, in the States of Louisiana and Arkansas. In 1858 he was engaged in the survey of the public lands in Northwestern Minnesota, and run the first line of the United States survey that touched the Red River of the North. He acted as timber agent for the State Land Office, from 1859 to 1865; and a portion of the time as timber agent for the United States lands; and while Edward L. Briggs. acting in this capacity, traversed a large portion of the upper peninsula, and the newer portion of the lower peninsula. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1872, and served upon the committee on public Jands, horticulture, and geological sur- vey. He is at present engaged in the business of farming, manufacturing, and dealing in real estate. He was re-elected representative in 1874, and was chairman of the committee on public lands, and the special committee on apportionment. He was one of the original corporators of the Grand Rapids Chair Company, and has been one of the directors of the company since its organization. He aided in the organization of the Citizens' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Kent, Allegan and Ottawa counties, and has been the president and treasurer of the company since its organization, in 1874.
10
MEMORIALS OF THE
Mr. Briggs is still young; a man of ardent nature and of untiring energy. We hope it will be long before we get through with him. Now he is a farmer. and his house is a museum, where a taste for the æsthetic and genial so- ciality have made it an attraction. Long live Briggs and his accomplished lady.
EDWARD A. BURLINGHAME.
He was born in the town of Sterling, Windham county, Connecticut, Sept. 19th, 1832. At the age of fourteen the family removed to Union Village, where he was employed in a cotton factory, where he very soon became mas- ter of every process; and where, at the age of seventeen, he was promoted to the position of "second hand in the weaver shop," of 400 looms. At the age of eighteen, he, with the family, removed to Central New York, and was engaged in agriculture until he entered New York Central College. For a time he engaged in teaching; and in 1855 went to Madison, Wis., in the interest of J. & H. Miller, publishing house, of Columbus, Ohio, in whose employ he continued for the summer. In the spring of 1856 he came to Ann Arbor, in the interest of the same publishing house. He was married April 22d, to Sarah A. Snell. In the fall of 1858, he removed to Janesville, Wis- consin, and became a teacher connected with the public school of that city; and there began the study of law. While so engaged, he accepted the offer tendered to him to become agent and correspondent for the Ohio State Jour- nal, which position he filled during the first Lincoln campaign; and he be- came an active worker, both on the platform and with his pen. While so engaged, he purchased a half interest in the Local News and Adrertiser, of Ann Arbor, which he enlarged, changing the name to Michigan State News. and continued its publication during the campaign. In 1861 he sold out, and became connected with The World We Live In, a paper published in Cincin- nati. In June, 1861, with others, he started the Peninsular Courier. In 1861, Mr. B. raised a company for the war.
In 1863, he purchased a farm three miles south of Grand Rapids. Staying there a while, he went to Illinois, where he purchased the office of the Deca- tur Tribune, the leading Republican paper of Central Illinois, which he run until Oct. 20th, 1866, and resumed his legal studies at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in the spring of 1869. In the fall of the same year he commenced the practice of his profession, at Grand Rapids. In the fall of 1872, he was elected prosecuting attorney for Kent county, and was re-elected in 1874; which office he filled with general approbation.
Mr. B. is still comparatively a young man; his life so far has been active and influential; and the public have hopes of him for the future.
LOUIS CAMPAU.
This pioneer, so long affectionately saluted and known as " Uncle Louis," had an eventful life, bordering somewhat on romance. In this brief sketch, the romantic can scarcely be alluded to, as the incidents would make a vol- ume, instead of a biographical article.
He was of French descent, born at Detroit, August 11, 1791. At eight
11
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
years of age, he was taken by his uncle, Joseph Campau, who promised to rear the boy, and start him in business. For seven years his business was that of an under servant, going to school but little. The only school educa- tion he had simply enabled him to read the French language, and to write. His defective education he regretted; but in after life he made little effort to remedy it. As to scholarship, he was simply an illiterate man. His active life was mostly spent as an Indian Trader beyond the limits of civilization, or as a business man on the frontier.
Until after the war of 1812, he stayed with his uncle, being promoted to be his right-hand man. He was one of the soldiers surrendered by Hull.
After the war, he was hired by a company of Detroit merchants to dispose of the remnants of their goods to the Indians on the Saginaw River. This he successfully did. He soon commenced on his own account as a trader among the same Indians. There he stayed, with varying fortune, until the spring of 1826; when, at the request of the Indians, he came as their Trader to the Grand River Valley. At times, while at Saginaw, the Government made use of him in dealing with the Indians and making treaties with then.
In November, 1826, he came on with a supply of goods for the Indians, and four hired men, packing his goods on ponies. He was also engaged by a Mr. Brewster, of Detroit, to buy furs, in opposition to the American Fur Company. He fised his first post at the mouth of Flat River, where the rail- road depot now is; left two of his men there, and with the rest came to the Indian village at the Rapids, on the west side of the river. Spent the win- ter there profitably, trading.
In 1827, came with his family and a larger supply of goods; built three log cabins near the river, at the foot of Bronson street. With none around him but the Indians and those dependent on him, he remained until 1832, when the first emigrant-Luther Lincoln-came in.
Believing that a village or city would be at the place, he secured a piece of land, and platted it as a village-the so-called " Campau Plat." Soon the speculative fever found Mr. Campau a rich man; doing a great deal of business, building extensively, the president of a bank, etc. The collapse that followed, found him a man struggling to save a little. His property went to assignees, and eventually some small part of it was returned to him.
Afterwards, by doing a limited business, and by constantly selling his lots, he lived a life of gentlemanly independence until within a few years of his death, when, his resources failing, he lived on the bounty of his friends, who were unwilling that he should feel poverty, which he never did.
He was twice married. His first wife died at Saginaw. His second, a lady of rare excellence, preceded him in death a few years, July 31st, 1869, aged sixty-two. From the time of the death of his wife, whose character he fully appreciated, he was never himself again. We will let a veil be over those dismal years, when the anchor and stay of his life had gone. He died April 13th, 1871.
He was a tall, fine-looking man; walking lame, from a serious injury re- ceived when a young man. He was very courteous and gentlemanly in his intercourse with others; an able counselor in matters of business, but him-
12
MEMORIALS OF THE
self unable to practice on his own lessons. He was visionary, and an unwise manager of his own affairs. He was very benevolent, and the kindliness of his heart caused him to have many warm admirers, and was taken advantage of by the unprincipled. He cannot be said to have been a man of bril- liant qualities; yet he secured in the community a respect and veneration which it is the fortune of few to attain. He was upright in his dealings; had finely-strung feelings and a gentlemanly bearing, which conciliated good-will and disarmed enmity. His name will ever be one of the household words at Grand Rapids.
He rests in the Catholic cemetery, by the side of her who was his soul- companion while living, and whose death cast so dark a shadow over the years he survived.
Parted awhile in the land of the dying, Met, ne'er to part. in the land of the living.
JAMES CLARK.
Mr. Clark was born at Rahway. N. J., Jan. 31 st, 1799. His parents be- ing in moderate circumstance, at eighteen years of age he left school, went to New York, and learned the mason's trade. In 1821, he was married to Catharine Powley, of New York. He then returned and purchased a home in Rahway. In 1831, he came with his family, and settled on a farm in Superior, Washtenaw county. In Feb., 1834, he moved to Grand Rapids: being the fourteenth white family in the place. For one year he took up his residence at Green Lake, with no white neighbors nearer than eight miles in one direction, and fourteen the other. He then pre-empted a farm in Plainfield; leading the pi- oneer settlement, and making the first improvements north of Grand James Clark. Rapids.
He is recollected with affection and respect, as one who was always doing more than his share in everything having reference to the public good; mak- ing roads, building school-houses, etc. He was energetic, enterprising. and upright in all he did; a man among men, he set a good example, and left a good name. He died after a long illness, in 1867, leaving a wife, four sons and four daughters, who reverently cherish the memory of the good man departed.
"Not unhonored or forgotten
Lies the man who honored manhood."
13
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
RUFUS R. COOK.
Mr. Cook was a Connecticut Yankee, born at Hartland, Conn., September 8, 1841. At an early age, his par- ents moved into Western New York. In 1829, the family came to Michigan, and located at Avon, Oakland county. In 1834, he married Cordelia M. Cowles.
As considerable of the early his- tory of Otisco centers around Mr. Cook and his associates, much will be given in this article which properly belongs to the history of the town. He came in 1837, in company with his brother-in-law, I. L. Morse, Amos and William Russell, in search of future homes. They left their teams at a point on the Looking Glass River, about · three miles west of Longsbury, Shiawassee county, where they constructed a boat of material brought with them. In this they Rufus R. Cook. were four days reaching the mouth of Flat River. From there they traveled on foot to the burr- oak plains in Otisco, where they made locations, Cook taking the land where a village commemorates his name.
At that time, G. W. Dickinson, Daniel Horton and Patrick Kelly were the only families within fifteen miles.
They arrived about the first of November, and Cook and Morse started a "shantee " on Cook's claim. After winter had fairly set in, they went home on foot. In the February following, they returned with their wives, and with two young lads, C. F. Morse and Calvin Gage, bringing a span of horses, nineteen head of cattle and eighteen swine, and, as they supposed, plenty of money to carry them through and sustain them until harvest. Nine days of traveling in extremely cold weather, brought them to Lyons. There they found themselves unable to pay their tavern bill, as they had no money which the landlord would take-the first intimation they had of the dread "wild-cat " collapse. "Dead broke, " they wended their way, paying their bills the next fall, when the sale of some cattle gave them some money that had a value.
In the winter of 1839-40, Cook, Morse, Luther Lincoln and the Baldwin brothers built the first saw mill in Montcalm county. This mill-a big thing at the time-would cut three or four thousand feet a day. They used to raft their lumber down the Flat and Grand Rivers, and sell at Grand Rapids for goods. That was the commencement of the vast lumber business
14
MEMORIALS OF TIIE
on Flat River. In 1846, Cook built the hotel at the " Corners," which, under his management and that of others, became famous for its anniversary balls. The house was always a popular one, whether kept by Cook, Hiram Weeks or " Leni " Davis.
In a few years, Cook became a trader, and general business man. Mr. Cook was possessed of the very best business qualifications; a good judge of men; of undisputable integrity; of more than common influence among men. He was highly esteemed and honored by his neighbors and the community: holding for many years the offices of Justice of the Peace and Supervisor, and other positions of publie trust; and during all his life he was the recipient of the most responsible and delicate trusts, which never suffered by his neglect or default.
He was a man of strong convictions and decisive temperament. When his opinions were onee formed, and he had decided upon a measure, he applied himself to it with untiring zeal; and when he moved he made his mark. Although he held many positions of public trust, he never was an office-seeker for himself, but he was a power when he took hold for a friend.
Mr. Cook was a representative man of the pioneers-an early settler of the Grand River Valley; a man of great public spirit, and contributed largely in many ways to the growth and prosperity of the country, and was well known and appreciated by the communities of Ionia, Kent. and Montcalm coun- ties. He was one destined by nature to be an influential and leading man in any community in which his lot might be cast.
He died, mourned and regretted by the entire community at his home- stead in Otisco, on the 6th day of January, A D. 1875, in the 64th year of his age.
(Kindly communicated by the Hon. A. B. Morse.)
ALANSON CORNELL.
Dr. Alanson Cornell came with his family into Michigan, in 1838. He was a native of Eaton. Madison county, N. Y., born in 1802. He was a gradu- ate of the Fairfield Medical College. After practicing in his profession for a few years in that State, he came to Michigan, locating in Ionia county, where he continued his practice until a few days before his death.
Dr. Cornell was a true man; strictly honorable in all his intercourse with his fellow men; always ready in his profession, or elsewhere. to do a noble act; respected. not only by his medical brethren, but wherever known. He died at his residence in Ionia, in January, 1873. DR. L.
FRANCIS CUMING, D. D.
The subject of this notice was born at Grand Haven, Ct., in 1798. His father was a seafaring man. As a youth, he was adopted into the family of Prof. Rudd, an eminent teacher in Elizabethtown, N. J. Mr. Rudd having no children of his own, received him as a son, and educated him for the gospel ministry. His mother and only sister, persons of peculiar refine- ment and high position, continued their surveillance over him in the inter-
15
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
course allowed by the residence of an older brother, doing business in Pearl street. Seldom has brotherly love been so unabated, uninterrupted until separated by death. In the double character of father and teacher, Dr. Rudd was always held in affectionate and reverent remembrance. While a student he was in a home atmosphere of an elevated and intellectual char- acter.
He was ordained Deacon in New Jersey at the age of 22, and Priest by Bishop Hobart, of New York, the next year. His first settlement was at Binghamton, N. Y., where he stayed but a short time. He was called to Rochester in 1822, where he spent nine years. He was afterwards General Agent of the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union and Church Book Concern; traveled much in the interest of the Society, and for it performed much literary labor. During this time he had New York for his center, where he organized Calvary Church, corner Twenty-ninth street and Fourth Avenue, and also revived and re-organized St. Paul's church at the Quarantine, Staten Island. In 1839, he removed to Ann Harbor, Michigan; and in 1844. to Grand Rapids.
At Grand Rapids he was recognized as a man much devoted to the interest of the church, which prospered under his able leadership. He was also recognized as a sound business man, and as one whose heart was in strong sympathy with the world and humanity. What he undertook he laid hold of with energy, be it the business of his profession, or secular affairs. There was in him a buoyant hopefulness, which was not always prudence. As a clergyman or man of the world, he was always esteemed an able counselor. His benevolence was great, and his personal honor was never doubted. Naturally a leader, he sometimes excited opposition by his determined will, and his fixed purpose to carry his point. His motto seemed to be-" Be sure you are right, and then go ahead." Almost defying, and generally triumph- ing over opposition, as a natural consequence he had his friends, and those who did not like him. But even his bitterest opponent respected his high- souled manliness and energetic zeal, which disarmed enmity by his courteous forbearance.
In 1855, he was honored by an Eastern college by the degree of D.D. At the breaking out of the war. his patriotic sympathies triumphing over per- sonal prudence, led him to go with the Michigan Third Infantry, as their chaplain. He was with them but the part of a year, when the dread dis- ease, consumption, warned him to come home and die. He met death as one who felt that his life-work was well done, and with a triumphant Chris- tian faith and hope. "Preparation, change, departure, are my constant thoughts;" "Salvation, O the joyful sound!" were among his dying words.
It was in August, 1862; that a mourning people followed him to his last resting place. A wife and family of daughters survive, to whom his mem- ory is precious. His only son, the Hon. Thomas B. Cuming, had preceded him to the grave.
In personal presence, the air of Dr. Cuming was that of an energetic business man. His positive manner at first repelled, while intimacy proved him a man singularly unselfish, and living in his sympathies and loves; that he was warm-hearted, generous and affectionate. As a preacher, he was im-
36
16
MEMORIALS OF THIE
pressive and earnest; as a friend, true to the death. He knew no masters but his conscience and his God; and it is believed that the one is stainless in the presence of the other.
No more shall we look on That reverend head; The cross, where he is resting, Proclaims he is dead. But has not life tendrils That death cannot sever?
Has it not flowers Unfading forever ? The bright rays of wisdom Shine o'er the dark portal,
As long as 'tis guiding, The man is immortal.
LEONARD COVELL.
Heis a Vermont Yankee; born February 17, 1816, at Cabot, Caledonia
county. At the age of six years he lost his mother, and was given to a farmer until he was fourteen. He then returned to his father and helped him on the farm until the age of seventeen. Then. there being no great love between him and his step-mother, he took the liberty to start independent : went to Hartford, Conn., and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner.
At the age of twenty-one, in 1837, he came to Grand Rapids. Arrived, he found his capital to be thirty-one cents in ready cash. and his indebtedness five dollars, borrowed at the East. He worked as a mechanic some eight or ten years, when he went into a store Leonard Covell. one year as clerk. He then pur- chased a stock of goods on long time of R. S. Parks, for $90, and commenced as merchant. Success attending his humble beginning, in one year he went into general trade with D. C. Lawrence with the firm name of Covell & Co. He bought Lawrence out, and took as a partner, H. K. Rose-the firm, Rose & Covell. This connection lasted six or seven years. Mr. C. then opened a store on the west side. at the corner of Bridge and Scribner streets. As a
17
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
merchant, he may be called a success. Selling out his store, for four years he was agent and director of the G. R. & I. Railroad.
At the organization of the U. S. District, Court for Western Michigan, he was appointed Deputy Marshall, which office he held until 1875.
He married Permelia, daughter of Deacon Henry Stone, May 2, 1839, which marriage is still unbroken.
Possessed of native energy, Mr. Covell has not been in the habit of dying; and now, with personal vigor, independence and public respect, he is one of the honored patriarchs, where, as a poor boy, he made a beginning in the back- woods village, of which he can say: " I have seen the whole of it, and of it have been no small fraction."
JOHN DAVIS.
This man. mentioned in the history of Oakfield, was born in Madison county, N. Y., April 25. 1813; lived on a farm until he was sixteen, with the common advantages. At that time he was apprenticed to a blacksmith, at which business he worked a good part of his life. In 1839, he came to Michigan -- to Ann Arbor. In 1840. he came to Oakfield, where he soon be- came one of the leading and offi - cial men of the town; holding at different times every town office -the factotum of the town. En- gaging at first in blacksmithing and farming, he prospered; but (there's a good deal in " but") he went into the lumber business, in which a series of misfortunes ruined him, so far as property was concerned. With the small . remnant that was left, he pur- chased a few acres a little out of John Davis. Grand Rapids, and set his anvil there, as the only means of living. That, then little valued few acres, is now a handsome property; and there he lives-delighting in the cognomon of "Old Ragged," which, to him, in Oakfield, is a pet name of endearment.
In New York, Sept. 28, 1836, he married Miss Betsy Brigham, who is still with him.
Mr. Davis is a character-combining much of human kindness with sound intelligence, and a jovial, light-hearted playfulness-everybody's friend, and no one can be his enemy.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.