USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 53
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That Mr. L. is a successful business man is not his particular merit. As one who looks to the public interest, and to the welfare of humanity, he has a stronger hold on the community. He has been a laborious and watchful member of the city counsel for many years; and has a heart for every work that is for the general good, and a hand ready to aid. He has no trumpet to blow for himself. and will let no other person blow one for liim. He belongs to the old, rather than to the modern school, earing little for the vanities of life, but prizing the realities. Long may he wave; and may his shadow never be less. We need such men to give life to business, and to guard the public interests.
TRUMAN H. LYON.
This man so long and so favorably know as a prominent actor in the Grand River Valley, was a native of Vermont; born at Shelburn, near Burlington, February 24, 1801. He had in youth but the common advantages; was appren- ticed to the business of a cloth- dresser, which business he fol- lowed in Vermont until he was twenty-one, and afterwards on his own account, at Hopkinston, St. Lawrence county, N. Y.
In 1823. he married Miss Lu- cinda Farnham, who survives him.
He early developed business tal- ent, and was looked to by the pub- lic as one to be made use of. Though a young man, he was placed in official station at Parish- ville-was justice of the peace, etc.
In the fall of 1836, he came Truman H. Lyon. to Michigan; first stopping at Lyons, Ionia county, where he kept a hotel; was justice of the peace, side judge, andl an official man generally; was in United States employ, superin- tendent of the light-houses on Lake Michigan; letting the contracts for their construction.
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He moved to Grand Rapids in 1840, where he kept a public house, and did business as a merchant. As a tavern-keeper, he kept the Bridge Street House two years, and afterwards the "Rathbun." For many years he was postmaster. He also carried on business as a cloth-dresser; and, on a small seale, woolen manufacturer. He was always a man that the public looked to as one to use, and they used him in various ways. In 1850 he was sent to the State Senate. He was a lea ling Free Mason-master of the lodge, and much honored in the order. He was always full of business, public and pri- vate, until laid aside by the terrible disease-sciatica-which finally, having exhausted all the powers of nature, ended in not unwelcome death, Septem- ber 14th, 1872.
The character of Mr. Lyon is easily summed up. With no strikingly bril- liant qualities, his plain good sense, his business capacity, his clear judg- ment, and personal integrity gave him a marked position among the leading men. He was an able counselor, public-spirited, and true to every public trust. He never sought to shine, and never put himself forward; was affa- ble, courteous, and generous-hearted; placed himself above nobody; and bowed to nothing but superior worth. His talent was eminently practical, and his judgment discriminating and clear.
He raised a large family, who have taken prominent places as business men. One of his sons-Lt. Darwin-lost his life in the service of his country during the war. His only daughter-Mrs. Yale-preceded him in death. Five sons remain. Long prominent, and highly respected, his exit left a blank in the community. All felt the loss of the worthy old man, whom everybody knew and esteemed. His life and doings are a part of the history of the region. Leaving no enemies and many friends, his memory will be cherished.
DANIEL MCCONNELL.
The subject of this sketch was born at Newbury, England, on the 17th day of March, A. D. 1827. His father. a dissent- ing clergyman of the Metho- dist denomination, reared a large family in comfortable cir- cumstances, and removed with them to America when Daniel was but five years old. locating at Rochester, New York. At Daniel McConnell. the age of eleven years, Daniel was placed in the establish- ment of a leading jeweler, of Rochester, where he remained between three and four years, leaving finally on account of poor health which
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necessitated a more active occupation. At the age of fifteen years, he was sent from New York to Lexington, Missouri, with a stock of goods to sell, which he closed out in a year. Soon after, he came West, to Grand Rapids, then a thriving but isolated little village, and spent some time, returning, however, to New York. Early in the spring of 1846, he enlisted in Company 1, 10th United States Infantry, to serve in the war with Mexico. The next week, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant, and sent to New Jersey, in the recruiting service. He served with credit during the war in the army under General Taylor, rising to the rank of Sergeant-Major. Mustered out, he came to Grand Rapids to reside, and began a mercantile business. In 1850. he married Elizabeth L. Mundy, daughter of Judge Mundy, of the Michigan Supreme Court. The monotonous life of a mer- chant was diversified by an expedition to California, and by amateur military operations. He organized and commanded the Valley City Guards, a company that gave the United States four Generals, several Colonels, and a great number of Captains, Lieutenants, and minor officers. His military zeal and experience secured his promotion to the rank of Colonel in Michigan Militia, and as such the war of the rebellion found him, At the breaking out of the war, Col. MeConnell and the Valley City Guards responded to the call for three months' men. The Colonel was authorized to raise the Third Michi- gan Infantry. Before the regiment was full, the order came changing the time from three months to three years. Most of the men already raised re- enlisted; the regiment was soon filled, and moved to Washington, Col. McConnell commanding. But the skill and experience which the Colonel had acquired in Mexico were not destined to be long available in this new and more important field. His health became seriously impaired, and, after nine months' service, he resigned his commission and returned to Grand Rapids, not, however, without having seen active service at the battles of Blackburn's Ford and Bull Run, where his regiment did not share in the general demoralization but retained its discipline, and with another equally fortunate, had the honor of covering the retreat. Since the war he has never fully recovered his health, and has not engaged in active business. After an active and adventurous career, having served his country in two wars, he has retired to peaceful cit- izenship, retaining, however, the firin step and soldierly bearing which are the results of his mili- tary education.
JAMES M'CRAY.
James McCray, in the history of the town of Wyoming, is spoken James M' Cray. of as the pioneer iron founder. He was of Irish descent, born at Glassdrum-
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mond, April 3, 1791. November 4th, 1817, he married Jane Marshall. They came to America in 1821, settled in the State of New York, where they remained until 1838. At that date, with his family Mr. MeCray came to Grandville, Mich., where he built the first foundry and machine shop in the Valley. While at Grandville he built the first steam engine that was made west of Detroit for the steamboat "Paragon," that ran on the Grand River. In the winter of 1844-5, he removed to Grand Rapids, and in co- partnership with Daniel Ball carried on the same business on the bank of the river.
He died suddenly May 31st, 1851, while sitting in his chair after supper.
Mr. McCray was a thorough mechanic-quite ingenious. He was rather a silent man, modest and unassuming in his bearing; recognized as thor- oughly honorable; a good and worthy citizen, seeking no prominence.
His wife, at the good old age of 82, died Aug. 18th, 1875.
The family were-Ann (Mrs. Myron Royce), born at Killmaen, Ireland, June 20th, 1820. Died at Wyoming, Feb. 21st, 1870.
George, who died young.
Gilbert Marshall, born at Skaneateles, N. Y., May 13th, 1826, was 12 years old when the family came to Michigan; was bred to his father's busi- ness, at which he became a master workman. In 1854, he and his brother went into business for themselves, running a machine shop, and doing an extensive business on Waterloo street. In 1858, he was elected Mayor of Grand Rapids, otherwise he has not been an official person. After a few years building steam engines, etc .. the McCray Brothers closed their busi- ness, sold out, the brother going to the war, and G. M. taking his old place as foreman in the large foundry, which began with his father. As Mr. McCray is still one of us, in his prime, I pass him with the remark, that we wish we had more like him.
Stewart B., born at Skaneateles, N. Y., July 16th, 1828, the Siamese twin brother of G. M., who together were always known as the McCray boys: their identity seemingly inseparable; was bred as was his brother. and their fortunes were always identified. In the war, he was Second Lieutenant in Co. D, 2d Mich. Cavalry. From exposure and hardship, for which he was unfitted, he contracted disease of the lungs, which compelled his retirement from the service, and resulted in his death from consumption Aug. 5th, 1865. He was a man of the most amiable character, very intelligent, and very much beloved. He left a wife and young family.
Sarah-wife of Andrew Furgerson, Grand Rapids.
Mary Jane-the youngest, the idol, died single.
JAMES M'KEE.
He is a Vermonter; born at Arlington, June 19th, 1823. His father was a physician. In early life he had every advantage for personal development; studying at Bennington and Manchester Academies. He entered Yale Col- lege at the age of 18-one year in advance-graduated at 21; went to New York City and studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1848. The next year he came to Clinton county, Michigan, where he practiced as a lawyer. In
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1850, at Grand Rapids, he entered into partnership with John Ball in the law and real estate business; in which relation he now stands. As a publie man, Mr. McKee has only identified himself with the educational interests of the city of Grand Rapids, having been for twenty years a school officer.
In 1856 he was married to Miss Hannah Langdon.
As a lawyer, Mr. MeKee has appeared but little at the bar. Of a retiring disposition, he seeks no publicity; and he believes a man may be a man, and not find his public esteem in the honors of office. He is one of the men who know themselves, and knowing he is not by nature fitted for fo- rensie strife, has kept himself out of the arena, maintaining self- respect and public esteem.
James M' Kee.
WARREN P. MILLS.
This gentleman, so long one of those whom everybody knew, and whose genial presence was the life of the social circle, was born at Ogdensburg, N. Y., March 15, 1812. Of his early life, we know but little. This much is certain, he was not among the favorites of fortune, but had, in musical phrase, " to paddle his own canoe." He came to Grand Rapids in 1836, where he ever after resided. We first know of him as a grocer, keeping a small store at the foot of Pearl street; soon, in connection with his broth- er, running a small hardware store at the same place, with W. D. Foster as their chief workman. Sold out to Foster & Parry-it was the beginning of the im- mense hardware establishment with which the honored Foster was so long identificd. For a considerable time, Mr. Mills was Warren P. Mills. in different kinds of mercantile business, which he gave up for specula-
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tion, in no regular hne, but engaging in what promised success-accumula- ting a handsome fortune.
Mr. Mills though sedulous in affairs of his own interest, by no means was a mere machine for making a fortune; but had no small hand in public affairs. Eminently social, he regarded what was for the good, and especially the comfort and happiness of others; and was ever on hand when wanted, to further any good cause. He served the public in various capacities-as city alderman, president of the Kent County Agricultural Society, etc., and always to the public satisfaction.
He was twice married; first, to Alice, daughter of Darius Winsor, who lived but a few years; and, second, to Miss Helen M. Downes, who, as his widow, survives him. He left three children-two sons and one daughter.
His death occurred July 28, 1868. A large concourse of people tes ised their respect at his funeral, when he was buried with the highest Masonic honors.
At the opening it is intimated that Mr. Mills was a character. It is hard to make him, by the pen, live again. He was, as his picture says, an un- commonly good looking man; of commanding presence, but the furthest pos- sible from being repellant. Jovial to the last degree, in his bluff, hearty way, he had a mirth-exciting word for every one; so much so that the very sight of him coming, was a guaranty that fun was ahead. His humor was irresistible; but it was not so much what he said, as the inimitable way of his saying it. Naturally it will be inferred that he was a man of strong sympathies, which is but the simple truth. He was the one to whom the appeal in distress was never directed in vain. Making no pretensions to goodness, and despising all show of the self-satisfied spirit, he disregarded conventionalities, and often w: s contented to appear to less advan- tage than in his real character. All follies of his life were forgot- ten, and his virtues remembered. when death took him from sight. He rests under the tall granite monument in Fulton Street Cem- etery.
JOHN E. MORRISON.
The subject of this article was one of those who, in 1833, settled in Ionia county. His birth was at Reading, by Seneca Lake, in New York, July 10th, 1805. He was raised in Wayne county, under unfavorable circumstances. At the age of twenty he moved with his John E. Morrison. father to Oakland county, Mich. At the age of twenty-eight, with his wife, one child, and some property, he made his appearance at Ionia-
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The journey-driving cattle, sheep and hogs-occupied nine days; of course. camping in the woods.
Mr. Morrison has always been a farmer; formerly in Berlin, now in Ionia. He has held town office a good deal; Berlin making use of him as supervisor, justice of peace, etc. In 1835, when all the county was a town of Kalama- z00 county. he was elected clerk. When Ionia county was organized, he was elected treasurer.
May 4th. 1830. he and Miss Eliza McKelvy took each other for better or worse: and still (1876) remain together, in spite of all facilities for divorce. and through the courtesy of Death, who seldom allows so long a union. They do not look as though they were, with trembling step, treading on for- bidden ground; but rather as though the green old age they are passing was their own. We have a special liking for old things; especially for marriage relations of long duration; and we especially venerate the old man and wo- man who, having passed a long life together, lovingly die at the same time. When the fifty years comes round, please remember us in your cards of invitation.
The baby boy Morrison brought with him, is Joseph Morrison, of Stanton.
LYMAN MURRAY.
Born at Brutus, Cayuga county. N. Y., Nov, 13, 1819; but raised in Sen- eca county, Ohio, he grew to man- hood under unfavorable circum- stances, with little chance for ed- ucation. He early acquired the habit of reading, and aided only by books, picked up a fair educa- tion, so that we find him quite early a teacher. In that business he has been engaged more or less until recently.
In 1846, he left Ohio and came to Kent county. He had been twice married before coming, his first wife living but a short time. With his second wife, Mary Jane Thomp- son, he located in Sparta, but two years afterwards removed to Al- pine, where he now (1876) resides -a farmer.
The people in Alpine have ever been disposed to recognize Mr. Murray as one of their leading Lyman Murray. men : and he has, perhaps, more than any other man, been kept in public business-almost a stereotype supervisor.
But Mr. Murray's public service has not been confined to the town. For four years (1867-70) he served in the House of Representatives; was a mem- ber of the Constitutional Convention in 1867, and senator in 1874.
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Mr. Murray is a very unpretentious man, who bears the title of "Hon." very modestly. His years do not admonish him that his life-work is by any means completed; and he is not old enough to talk about before his face.
JAMES MILLER.
He was born at Winchester, Conn., Feb. 11th, 1823. He is a lineal de- scendant of Thomas Miller, who emigrated from Birmingham, Eng., about 1650. He is the son of Joseph Miller, who, for twenty-seven years, was a
CROSSCUP & WEST.PHILA.
James Miller.
lawyer in Connecticut; then removed to Richland, Kalamazoo county, where he died, in 1864.
Mr. Miller in his youth had the advantages of the common school, and a good academic education. Besides, he had the rare advantage of having an able and scholarly father, whose wisdom he early learned to appreciate. His father was his tutor in his earlier studies and in his profession-the law; and he feelingly recognizes that guiding spirit in the establishment of his moral principles.
Applied to for the data from which to give a sketch of his life, Mr. Miller
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said his life-history was a tissue of negatives. He could tell what he had not done, and gave a long list. "He had not held office nor sought it." (There he was in error; he was justice of the peace, and a good one.) That he had not been a political aspirant, we all know. But the party to which he belongs -- the wrong party in Kent county to win-have by sheer force compelled him to be their candidate for the most honorable offices. " As a lawyer, he has not promoted quarrels, but has sought to make people behave themselves." That's true as preaching. "He had not cheated, swindled or deceived." We all knew that before he said so. He continued the state- ment of what he had not done much further; but when it came to telling what he had done, he said, "Nothing; my life is all negative."
At the age of twenty-one he commenced the practice of law at Grand Rap- ids. In 1846, he married Miss Ada Smith-the same spoken of as the one who gave name to Ada.
He has always remained at Grand Rapids, and has secured the reputation among the lawyers of being one of the few who are always right. Independ- ent in thought, he had rather be right than be president. "His best satis- faction he finds in books; and while he takes a hopeful and general interest in his fellows and their affairs, and diligently studies and watches the grand unfoldings of the age, lending a hand in the way of aiding and fostering its developments, when necessary, he is not from habit, circumstances, or pre- dilection, disposed to meddle overmuch in matters which will be as well taken care of without, as with his effort." This quotation is from Miller him- self, and who knew better than he ?
" O) wad scme power the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us." <
Miller has not that gift. When he gets to be an old manwe will tell him what we think of him. Un- til then, we hope he will go on just about as he has done-working for his own interest and the good of society - promoting peace, and bringing sinners to their knees.
JONATHAN E. NASH.
Mr. Nash is a native of Massa- chusetts; born at Greenfield, May 28th, 1820. His early advantages were good. At the age of twenty- six, as Yankee young men are apt to do, he " came West," and found himself in Sparta, Michigan, where he pitched his shanty, took up land, and engaged in subduing it, and in lumbering. In time, he put up a Jonathan E. Nash. saw-mill; and, as is generally the case, that was the nucleus of a littlo
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village, which has deveoped into what is now the snug place-Sparta l'entre.
He has been much in public life-supervisor, justice of the peace, etc .; a general factotum of the town. If the prayers of those who know him best avail, he will live forever; for they have become so accustomed to swear by Jonathan, that they will be slow to adopt another form. For further notice, see the history of Sparta.
ABEL PAGE.
Abel Page was born in Kindlge, N. H., Jan. 30, 1785. In 1807, he married Miss Zilpha Barnes, daughter of a prominent farmer of Vermont, and located at Rutland, in that State. In 1836, his fortune hav- ing been suddenly swept away by an unfortunate indorsement for a friend, he emigrated to the terri- tory of Michigan, and located at. Grand Rapids. There, although over fifty years of age, he applied himself cheerfully, energetically and successfully, by agriculture and the locating of lands, to the recovery of the competence so necessary to the comfort of his wife and six children.
Deacon Page had a delicate re- . finement of nature which might seem to unfit him for the rough Abel Page. experiences of a pioneer life; but his industrious and enterprising disposition, coupled with a magnificent. physique, made toil no burden to him; and he delighted in the rural life which afforded an opportunity to read fresh wonders every day from the open book of Nature. He varied his more hardy labors by the cultivation of fruit and flowers, for which he had a passionate fondness, and which throve marvelously nuder his sympathetic touch. He planted the first nursery in the Grand River Valley, and for years supplied the early settlers with the choicest varieties of grafted fruits, and with plants rare in this western region. Dea- con Page was one of the founders of the Congregational church in Grand Rap- ids, and for twenty years labored, heart and hand, with his pastor, the Rev. James Ballard, for the temporal and spiritual advancement of his beloved Zion. ITis piety, though entirely unostentatious, was eminently practical, imparting a rare sweetness to his manly strength of character, and making his daily life a quiet example and an abiding influence. His active membership with the Sabbath school and Bible class was life-long; he was an earnest student of the scriptures, and an able expositor thereof. No weather was sufficiently severe to detain him from the appointed services in the house of God; even when he
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considered it too inclement for the exposure of his family and horses, he would traverse on foot the two miles through the woods between his home and the church. Being social and kindly in his nature, he made any place or assen- bly brighter and better for his presence; and, at his death, the whole com- munity felt that a truly good man was gone to a home for which his earthly pilgrimage had been a steady preparation. The first illness that he had ever experienced was that which proved fatal, in April, 1854. His estimable wife. a true helpmate, had preceded him in the year 1849; and the eldest son, Wil- liam, fell a victim of cholera, at Detroit, in 1841, at the age of twenty-five. Of the other children, Sophia married the Hon. Daniel D. Bacon, of Monroe, Mich., and died in the year 1854. Loraine became the wife of the Hon. Wm. A. Richmond, of Grand Rapids; and Harriet married Dr. Cyrus Knapp. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Abel T. inherited the homestead farm, near Grand Rapids, and Aaron B. located at Grand Traverse, where he still resides. COM.
Death levels us not-the body may lie Entombed in the earth, but that is not to die; The tomb is not lowly that is hallowed by tears, And whose record of life is of deeds, and not years. The grave closes not o'er the good and the wise, They still live on earth, and they live in the skies.
LOREN M. PAGE.
For a long time, Mr. Page has been one of those whom everybody knew, being one of the pioneers-often an official man. He was born at Concord, Vt., March 29th, 1811; was brought up on a farm, with the common advantages of Yankee boys, until he was six- teen. Then receiving a severe wound, which was likely to ren- der him inefficient on a farm, he learned the trade of painter; serv- ing an apprenticeship in Canada, and working there until the age of twenty-three. Then he re- turned to Vermont, where for three years he spent his time alternating between painting and teaching, as is very common in the New England States. There the schools in the winter are taught only by young men.
In 1836, he heard flattering re- Loren M. Page. ports concerning Michigan, and especially of the Grand River Valley, and came on, arriving at Grand
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Rapids, Sept. 7th. He got work with Aaron Sibley, whom the next year he bought out; going into trade in groceries, etc., on Monroe street. The same year he married Miss Jane Soper.
A life of hard labor has had its varied fortune, reverses and disappoint- ments; but leaving him a comfortable independence for approaching age.
Mr. Page has had much to do as a public servant of the city; assessor, five years; alderman, etc.
During the war, he was represented in the army by five sons; one of whom -Fernando -- came home with both of his feet shot off; one of the very few who survived such a loss.
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