USA > Michigan > Newaygo County > Portrait and biographical album of Newaygo County, Michigan : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county also containing a complete history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 59
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ART. X .- This ordinance shall be published in the Newaygo Republican for six successive weeks, and shall take effect and be 'in force from and after the first day of December, 1859.
RAILROADS.
HE "iron horse " has come to be one of the greatest agencies in developing any new country. The first railroads ever built were between large cities, which could furnish from the first a paying volume of traffic. Now the railroad is not infrequently built in advance of settlement, with a view to making immigration speedy, of affording rapid transportation to good markets, and of raising the value of property. There is no doubt that railroads are efficacious for these purposes, and so much so that a locality can hardly pay any price for a new railroad which is not speedily returned to it in the increased value of real estate.
527
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
Newaygo County has not yet sufficient railroads. Circumstances have combined to favor neighboring counties and towns, especially in former years. Now, however, the prospect is much brighter. It has al- ready two lines of railroad crossing its territory, and another east and west line will, beyond doubt, be constructed soon. Several plans for this have been put forward, and capitalists are now examining routes for the same.
The pioneer railroad in the county is the
GRAND RAPIDS, NEWAYGO & LAKE SHORE R. R.
It is impossible to tell when the idea of a railroad for Newaygo was first seriously put forward. Even the first settlers dreamed of railroads, and scarcely a year passed that some one did not mature a scheme for a railroad from Newaygo to Grand Rapids. The " Grand Rapids & Muskegon Railroad Company" was formally organized at Grand Rapids, Dec. 15, 1868. Newaygo was represented on the Board of Di- rectors by A. Paddock, and on the Board of Com- missioners by E. L. Gray. Col. J. H. Standish and other Newaygo men were present and made speeches.
A meeting of the citizens was held at the Brooks House in Newaygo, Aug. 18, 1869. W. T. Howell presided, and W. D. Fuller was chosen Secretary. Remarks were made by E. L. Gray, S. L. Fuller (Grand Rapids), Augustus Paddock and W. D. Ful- ler. The last two were designated as commissioners for Newaygo and vicinity. Stock was taken amount- ing to $15,000. The following spring a trial line was surveyed, and the project was in a fair way to suc- ceed, when suddenly the celebrated Michigan Su- preme Court decision was announced to the world, and scores of railroad schemes instantly killed. This decision was, in brief, that railroads are privatc property, subject only to · police regulation by the State, and that therefore no local aid could be given by taxing the people.
The railroad-seeking citizens of Newaygo then turned their attention to the "Grand Rapids, Ne- waygo & Lake Shore Railroad," an enterprise pushed by D. P. Clay, of Grand Rapids, who has had so many interests in Newaygo, and whose energy and persistence finally' built the road. By May, 1871, $125,000 were raised in Newaygo, Grand Rapids and the intervening country, and the following summer matters were pushed until there was no longer any doubt that the railroad was coming. July 27, ground
was broken between Fourth and Fifth streets, west side, in Grand Rapids, in presence of Mr. Clay and other prominent gentlemen interested in the enter- prise. In little over a year the road was completed to Newaygo village, and the last spike was driven and first passenger train run on Wednesday, Sept. II, 1872, perhaps the brightest day in the history of Newaygo. The following is taken from the Newaygo Republican of Sept. 18, 1872 :
Last Tuesday, as the track-layers appeared in sight, and it became a certainty that the track would be laid to the bridge by Wednesday ncon, so that a passenger train could be run into the village, our citizens were informed that " a little informal excur- sion party might be expected on the first train, per- haps 25 or 30 in number." Our people at once made preparations for entertaining that number, and a dinner at the Brooks House was a part of the pro- gram. All Wednesday forenoon the workmen were watched closely. Excitement was at fever heat, and many were the speculations indulged in by the spec- tators as to whether the work would be completed by two o'clock, the hour appointed for the arrival of the train. At last the last rail was in its place, and the last spike driven, and then nothing could be done but wait. Truth to tell, but very little interest was taken in the excursionists, who were supposed to be merely railroad dignitaries coming on business. The main interest centered in the arrival of the first train; there were but a few visitors on board, and ample arrangements had been made at Courtright's for the entertainment of them all.
The long-looked-for locomotive was almost within hearing, and minutes seemed hours as we waited the arrival of the iron horse that was bearing to us the news that we were in reach of the outside world. The whistle is heard, and then such a handshaking and congratulating among friends and neighbors one must live a life-time to see again; and when the train appeared, it seemed that every one was frantic for joy. Boys screamed, girls giggled, men cheered and women looked on with hearts too full for utter- ance. It was the greatest day in the history of Newaygo.
Only a "little excursion " was expected, and therc- fore what was our surprise to see pouring from the cars about 300 of the best citizens of Grand Rapids, accompanied by the Valley City Brass Band ! No preparation had been made for entertaining that number of guests in a manner befitting the occasion. But no time was to be lost ; so cach citizen captured as many as he could take care of, and marched them off in triumph; the hotels were thrown open, and all was done that could be to entertain the guests who honored us with their presence.
After dinner, W. D. Fuller, T. B. Church, William
528
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
H. Wells and others made hrief speeches, and our guests departed for their homes in the beautiful " Valley City."
In the spring of 1875, steps were taken to extend the road northward from Newaygo, and by September it was built to Morgan (now White Cloud), on the line of the Muskegon & Big Rapids road. This was celebrated by an excursion from Grand Rapids to Big Rapids, via Newaygo and Morgan. About 500 citizens availed themselves of an invitation by President Clay to make this trip. The train consisted of two locomotives and baggage cars, mail cars and eleven coaches. The excursionists comprised repre- sentative men of every class of business in the city of Grand Rapids, who seemed for the time to forget that such a thing as business existed, and were bound to give the day to enjoyment. The mayor and city officers were present, with nearly all the members of the Common Council.
The party arrived at Newaygo just one hour and a half after leaving the depot in the Valley City, and were received by a salute from a small cannon, and strains of music from the Newaygo band. A large number of citizens of Newaygo, with the band, ac- companied the excursionists to Big Rapids, where they arrived about half past one. They were met at the depot by a large number of the citizens of that city, the Light Guard Band and Big Rapids Guard, about 65 strong. A salute was fired on the arrival of the train, which not only served as an expression of welcome from the citizens of this thriving city, but broke the glass in several of the car windows.
The excursionists being too numerous to be accom- modated for dinner at any one hotel, divided into several parties in pursuit of something to satisfy the inner man, and most of them succeeded. The first intimation the citizens of Big Rapids had of the number of excursionists, was a telegram received at II o'clock, directing the hotels to prepare to accom- modate 600 persons for dinner. They worked hero- ically, and results proved their industry. Two-thirds of the party were enabled to take dinner at the hotels, and the balance were entertained at eating houses.
The Big Rapids fire department were out, and hrew several streams of water from the Holly water- works.
The train left Big Rapids on the return trip at four
o'clock, and arrived at Grand Rapids at twenty minutes to eight. The excursionists were accom- panied this time by about 100 citizens of Big Rapids, who were invited to make the trip by President Clay.
The Newaygo road has proved one of the most profitable lines in the State, the interest and dividends being paid promptly every year. Since its consolidation with the Chicago & West Michigan, it has been extended to Baldwin, the county seat of Lake County. Its final terminus is to be Traverse City, and it will soon be extended in that direction.
The stations on the line, and distances from Grand Rapids, are as follows, from Ashland to West Troy, inclusive, being in Newaygo County: West Grand Rapids, I ; D. & M. Crossing, 3.5 ; G. R. & I. Cross- ing, 5.7; Alpine, 8.4; Englishville, 11.4; Sparta, 14.5 ; Kent City, 20.3; Casnovia, 22.3; Trent, 24.3; Bailey, 25.5; Ashland, 28; Grant, 30.8; Newaygo, 36.4; White Cloud, 47; Diamond Lock, 51.8; Park City, 54; Otia, 57.6; West Troy, 61.4; Pickerel Creek, 67.6; Roby's Junction, 70.8; Baldwin, 74.I.
MUSKEGON & BIG RAPIDS RAILROAD.
This was the second road built through Newaygo County, and was projected before the railroad from Grand Rapids entered the southern part of the county. Feb. 5, 1870, a meeting of representative citizens was held at the Mason House in Big Rapids, at which resolutions were adopted favoring the build- ing of a railroad from Muskegon to Big Rapids, and a committee was appointed to confer with citizens of Muskegon, Fremont Center and other intermediate points. This committee consisted of Gen. Stephen Bronson, Hon. C. C. Fuller, J. F. Brown, Col. Stewart Ives, Andrew Green, George F. Stearns, T. D. Stinson, J. O. Rose, D. M. Benjamin, Charles Shafer, E. Fisher and G. W. Crawford. Subsequent meetings were held at Big Rapids, Fremont Center and Muskegon, and considerable money was pledged.
The Muskegon & Big Rapids Railroad Company was formally organized April 12, 1870, at Muskegon. At a subsequent meeting of the directors, officers were elected as follows : Alexander Rogers, President; George F. Stearns, Vice-President : Stewart Ives, Secretary, and Chauncey Davis, Treas- urer. Early in May the actual survey of the road was commenced, and all seemed to be going well, when unexpectedly came the Supreme Court decision
529
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
against the legality of local aid to railroads by taxa- tion. As the projectors of the Muskegon & Big Rapids road depended on townships along the line voting liberal aid, the enterprise seemed to be effect- ually strangled.
After a year or so, however, the company was reorganized, with Hon. L. G. Mason as President, and F. A. Nims as Secretary, and it was determined to build the road with no aid except that of individ- uals. In the summer of 1872, the President visited New York, and on returning announced that the road could be built and equipped that year, under a certain arrangement. This arrangement was nothing more nor less than a consolidation of the company with the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore, whose road was then built and operated as far north as Pentwater. This plan was cordially endorsed by the stockholders and directors, and the contract for the construction of the entire road, to be completed and in running order by the first of January following, was let to a Mr. Thompson, a railroad contractor who had just been performning a piece of work for the Michigan Central, and who at once transferred his entire force of about 1,000 men, with all the tools and equipments for railroad work, to this Mus- kegon & Big Rapids road, beginning simultaneously at both ends of the line. With this large, efficient and well organized corps, the work was pushed for- ward as rapidly as possible.
Owing to bad weather and other obstacles, the, completion of the road was delayed till the summer of 1873. In July of that year, regular trains-two passenger and one freight-were put on the line. The completion of the road was celebrated by a large excursion from Big Rapids to Muskegon. The stations on this road, and distances from Muskegon, are as follows : Muskegon ; B. R. Junction, 4 miles; Twin Lakes, 10.4 miles; Holton, 16.4 miles; Fremont, 23.6 miles; Alleyton, 33.8 miles; White Cloud, 34.7 miles; Woodville, 44.2 miles; Lumber- ton, 46.2 miles ; Hungerford, 48.2 miles ; Big Rapids, 55.2 miles. The stations from Fremont to Hunger- ford, inclusive, are within Newaygo County.
CHICAGO & WEST MICHIGAN RAILROAD).
In 1878, the Muskegon & Big Rapids line was consolidated with the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore, under the name of the Chicago & West
Michigan Railroad, and in January, 1881, this com- pany purchased the Grand Rapids, Newaygo & Lake Shore. The three roads are now under one manage- ment, and are virtually one railroad. It is a well conducted, thoroughly equipped road, and has always dealt fairly with the people of Newaygo County.
LUMBER INTEREST.
A S has been said on a previous page, Ne- waygo County is indebted to its former in vast pineries for its settlement and develop- ment. It is so situated on the border of a great timber country, and yet at convenient distances from good markets and great distributing points, and even at this day, after so many years of persistent devastation, contains within its borders pine forests so valuable, that it is to be expected that the lumbering industry be of the greatest importance.
The lumber from the State of Michigan is known all the world over for its excellent quality ; and as to quantity, it is sufficient to be a source of employment and wealth for decades to come. Even before the first settlement of Newaygo County, its territory had been crossed by many adventurous lum- bermen. The Muskegon is the longest stream in the State, and, with its tributaries, of which the principal are Brooks, Pennoyer, Butterfield and Tamarack Creeks, and Middle Branch, Hersey, Little Muske- gon and Clam Rivers, taps an immense lumber-pro- ducing country. Hence, this system of water ways has been utilized for transporting logs and lumber for now nearly 47 years.
Its magnificent pineries commenced disappearing in 1837, and since 1855 a fierce onslaught has been made upon them. As high as 400,000,000 feet have been put afloat on the Muskegon in a single season. The lumbermen leave no record of their work, and no trace other than pine stumps of their visit ; hence it is impossible to give any extended account of early operations.
The first lumber sold above Muskegon village was in the year 1842, by Rose and Hyde, the price being five dollars per thousand feet, and the purchaser one
530
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
William Lay, at that time a resident of Chicago. The first logs cut and put afloat were put into the Muskegon River by Merrill I. Page and Lloyd & Place at Mill Iron, in the winter of 1840-I. Mr. Merrill yet resides at Bridgeton, in this county. The first logs cut above Mill Iron were got out by John A. Brooks, during the same winter, ten miles above Croton. He drove them down to " the flats," where the purchaser, a Mr. Newell, took them in charge and drove them into the Muskegon Lake.
Glancing through the files of Muskegon, Newaygo and Big Rapids papers, one sees on what a gigantic scale the lumber and logging industry has been carried on of late years. Two or three items are here selected from the Big Rapids Pioneer, the first bearing date of April 29, 1864 :
" The 'Big Drive' is now passing our village, and in a few days will be over the rapids, as the water is at a good stage, and some thirty men, we believe, are helping the logs over the rough places. About 100,- 000,000 feet of logs have been put in the past winter on the Muskegon and its tributaries."
Again, June 9, 1866: “Commodore Pingree, of Muskegon, widely known as the oldest navigator of the Muskegon River, has just made an entirely suc- cessful experiment in getting the 'Big Drive ' over the rapids at this place. The logs were piled two or three deep for about two miles, and about half a mile on the flat the logs were on dry land, the water having gone down and left them there. The getting them off seemed about an impossibility, but the Com- modore got them all afloat by filling the channel be- low with logs, and raising the water over three feet, thus producing slack water for nearly half a mile. The logs are now being floated off rapidly, and new ' jams ' are made farther down, as necessity requires. He says he will run the logs to the mouth, unless the river dries up entirely ; and from the manner he is operating here, and the kind of men he has to help him, we have no doubt of his success."
Again, April 30, 1868: “Commodore Pingree passed over the rapids here on Sunday last with the 'Big Drive,' consisting of about 60,000,000 feet of logs. The drive is considerably ahead of time this year, and must reach its destination several weeks in advance of former years." And so every year whole forests are floated down the Muskegon, yielding wealth and employment to thousands.
The best years for the business are over, at least for Newaygo County. It is only in the northern part of the county that any extensive pine forests are left. The logging business this winter (1883-4) will be comparatively small. But even when the logs are all cut, the lumber industry will continue to be re- garded as a blessing, for it opens the way to a more permanent prosperity, based on agricultural develop- ment. More wealth will be produced by grain and fruit raising than has ever been acquired by logging and lumbering.
As early as 1853, the county had four saw-mills, known as the Croton mill, Brooks mill, Merrill mill and Smith mill. The county records show that they were assessed for purposes of taxation as follows : Croton mill, $6,000; Brooks mill, $6,000; Merrill mill, $4,500; Smith mill, $6,000. In 1859, the num- ber of saw and grist mills assessed by the county were as follows :
Mitchell's, $2,250 00
Backart's, $2,712 50
Utley's,
1,012 50
Weaver's, 843 75
Furman's, 1,125 Newaygo Co.'s, 14,062 50
Brooks 2,625 00
Merrill's, 2,712 50
Gay's, 3,375 00
Hubbard's, 900 00
Brooks'
1,125 00
Bigelow, 1,128 00
Rice's
843 75
Porter's, 900 00
Craigher's 750 00
Now it would be almost impossible to give a list of the busy mills which are fast cutting away the forests. There are probably 100 saws now at work at Newaygo County.
AGRICULTURAL.
ERTILITY of soil is the best measure of the permanent wealth of any commu- nity or locality. Great as is the logging and lumbering industry in Newaygo County, it is nevertheless true that the time will come when the forests of Central Michigan will be all cleared away, and the State can no longer furnish lumber for a continent. It is therefore a matter of satisfaction that the soil of this county is rich and capable of a high and fruitful state of cultiva- tion. A very great variety of crops can be raised here profitably,-fruits, grains and garden stuff; and
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NEWAYGO COUNTY.
the agricultural resources can be partially imagined when it is considered that in 1882 the 1,200 farms comprised only 30,000 acres under cultivation, which is less than one-fifteenth of the total area.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The "Newaygo County Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Society " was organized June 26, 1873, for the purpose of holding annual fairs. The articles of incorporation provided for a board of 15 directors, five elected annually. The first board was as follows : Sullivan Armstrong, of Ashland; William D. Fuller, of Brooks; David W. Squier, of Bridgeton; William Edmunds, of Sherman; and Francis H. Hooker, of Barton,-for one year; William S. Utley, of Big Prairie; John Steinbrenner, of Croton; W. S. Hillman, of Ensley; Solomon Walker, of Dayton; and Nathaniel D. Macomber, of Denver,-for two years; Nelson McDonald, of Sheridan; Joseph Min- nick, of Casnovia; M. D. Bull, of Denver; Henry D. Clark, of Greenwood; and Nelson Higbee, of Croton, -- for three years. The first members and incorpo- rators of the society were 26 in number, as follows :
The first fair was held Oct. 8, 9 and 10, 1873, at Newaygo, and was successful to an unexpected degree. The fair grounds were situated in the rear of George King's store, on State Street. George Utley was Marshal, and Thomas Turner, John Powers, David Millard, L. A. Mallery, James H. Edwards, A. O. White, Jerome Carpenter, James H. McKee, I. N. Robinson and Mrs. W. D. Fuller acted as superintendents of the various divisions. The afternoon of the second day, an instructive and care- fully prepared address was delivered by Hon. James Barton. A very liberal premium list was paid, some- what exceeding the gate receipts and entry fees. The Board of Supervisors appropriated $500 to aid in setting the society on a sound financial basis.
The second annual fair was held Oct. 7, 8 and 9, 1874, and was an improvement on the first fair. Over 500 entries were made this year. The attend- ance was good all three days. For the succeeding year, Nelson Higbee was chosen President; W. S. Hillman, Vice President; Sanford Brown, Secretary ; Marcus S. Angell, Treasurer; C. W. Stone, J. B. Jewell, S. Armstrong, Andrew Flynn and B. H. Cool- baugh, Directors; Nelson Higbee, Sanford Brown, M. S. Angell, James Barton, David Millard, J. B. Jewell and E. O. Shaw, Executive Committee.
The third annual fair commenced Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1875, and continued five days, the weather being very unfavorable on the opening day. Owing to this inclemency, the fair was not such a success as it would naturally have been. As it was, it was voted the best fair, in most respects, up to that time held by the society. The races were unusually interest- ing. For the succeeding year, the following officers were chosen: Nelson Higbee, President; N. D. Macomber, Vice President; S. K. Riblet, Secretary ; C. W. Stone, Treasurer; Nelson Higbee, N. D. Macomber, S. K. Riblet, C. W. Stone, W. S. Hill- man, Sanford Brown, M. S. Angell and George Fuller, Executive Committee; C. A. Sutliff, T. Edwards, William Edmunds, W. S. Hillman and Floyd Misner, Directors.
The fair of 1876 began Sept. 20, and continued four days. The attendance was good, the weather was fair, and the fair was a financial success, but a very poor exhibition was made. The attractions consisted principally of races and cheap money- making devices.
In 1877, the fair was held Oct. 9, 10, 11 and 12. This was not a very brilliant success, owing to very unfavorable weather. Only 50 per cent. of the premiums were paid. For the ensuing year David Collins was chosen President; Sanford Brown, Secre- tary; T. Edwards, Treasurer; and E. O. Shaw, Superintendent. A vice-president was elected for each township in the county. The principal feature of this fifth fair was an address at Raider's Hall by Gov. John J. Bagley.
The sixth annual fair was an improvement on the preceding, though the attendance was very slim. The society paid expenses, and a portion of the in- debtedness of former years. D. P. Clay was chosen President for the year; Edward Edwards, Secretary ; and Francis M. Pike, Treasurer; Vice Presidents from all the townships.
The seventh fair was held Sept. 17, 18 and 19, 1879, and was unfortunate in almost every respect. This can only be attributed to a general lack of interest. For the next year, D. E. Soper was chosen President; Sanford Brown, Secretary; and Francis M. Pike, Treasurer.
The eighth fair was held Sept. 29 and 30, and Oct. I and 2, 1880, and was moderately successful. The attendance was very good, and the exhibition superior
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
532
in some departments. The society's indebtedness continued to be a harassing embarrassment. During the next year, Mr. Wood, of New York, who held the title to the fair grounds, threatened to make some trouble for the society, which was settled by John H. Simmons, of Newaygo, advancing the necessary funds. Unusual efforts were made, and as a result- The ninth annual fair was one of the best ever held in Newaygo County. It was held Sept. 27, 28, 29 and 30, 1881. The number of entries was un- usually large, and the exhibition of stock and farm products was really excellent. The attendance was
large, especially on the third day, and but one thing prevented a complete success, and that was stormy weather on the last day. This prevented a proposed balloon ascension. One of the interesting features of this fair was a base-ball contest, between the Newaygo, Casnovia and Sparta clubs. The Newaygo club carried off the honors. This was the last fair held in the county, and the Newaygo County Agricul- tural, Horticultural and Mechanical Society is now regarded as dead. It is to be sincerely hoped that a new society will be organized which shall be perma- nently prosperous.
PIONEER SOCIETY
W
ERE as elsewhere, the mem- ories of the past recall to the minds of the pioneers those who were associated with them in the work of building up waste places, and where there has been a co-partnership of suffering and en- durance, the feelings of kinship and fellowship spring up, and there is a drawing together. This feeling has resulted in the formation of the various State, county and township pioneer societies now in existence. A meeting was held at the Ex- change Hotel in Newaygo, April 21, 1874, and arrangements made for a general reunion of early settlers of Newaygo County. Of this meet-
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