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 63
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The village lies at the foot of the opposite bluffs, the principal part of it on one straight street, that leads from the depot to the court-house. The rail- road comes to the river below and southwest of the village, creeps in along the face of the southern bluff, passes between the village and the river, which it crosses above the middle of the bend, and finds a way out of the valley through the deep ravine, by which Pennoyer Creek cuts its way to the Mus- kegon. ·
On the business street, there are a number of brick buildings, all new, and constructed in 1883. Since the fire in the spring of this year, only brick buildings can be erected in the business portion of the village. The residences are almost entirely of frame, painted white. There is no ostentatious display in the direction of expensive residences. In viewing the beautiful grass-covered bluff overlooking the village and valley, one cannot avoid wondering that some wealthy citizen has never been tempted to crown its
summit with a magnificent mansion, that would be the pride and envy of the town. But this feature remains to be added, and the only large building on the hill is the fine school-house with its spacious yard and surrounding lawn. Streets ascend the hill both above and below the village, but the stranger sees the face of the hillside streetless and pathless, covered with meadows and orchards, and is puzzled to know how he shall reach the school building. Finally he gets sight of a meandering stairway near the upper part of the village, and by diligent search, or inquiry, înds the narrow path that leads to its foot, and climbs its long series of broad steps, won- dering how many broken legs and arms it occasions among the school-children every winter.
The dam across the Muskegon River is between the railroad bridge and the upper wagon bridge, and is 14 feet in height. There is a dam across the mouth of the Pennoyer Creek, which comes dashing down from among the hills in a series of cascades and rapids, and a flume to convey its waters if neces- sary into the Muskegon above the dam. It is a fine sight to see the locomotive come out of the ravine at this dam, pausing, elephant like, before it moves upon the bridge, giving the passengers an opportunity to look out upon the flashing, foaming waters, the dam, and the beauties of the suddenly discovered village.
Newaygo derives its name from an Indian chief of distinction, who lived in Western Michigan in an early day, before it was explored by the whites, and when the site of the present village and the hill above it were favorite camping grounds of the Indians. In 1836, the pine forests of Western Michigan had begun to be spoken of at the East, but it was left for years of growth and development in the Western States to create a market that would render the manufacture of lumber profitable.
It was in 1836 that Augustus and Frederick, brothers of Hon. Henry Pennoyer, of Ottawa County, built a saw-mill on Pennoyer Creek, which was the first settlement at Newaygo. This mill was after- ward run by Samuel Rose and Robert W. Morris, and a grist-mill was added to it. The next miller was the well-known John A. Brooks, the father of Newaygo village. He was an enterprising and ener- getic man, who, previous to his coming to Michigan had been a hotel-keeper at Stanstead, Canada. Until 1852, he transacted the largest part of the
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business of the place, and until his death, after the close of the war (in which he held the post of quartermaster), he was prominent in both business and politics, being twice elected to the Legislature.
The village was platted by John A. Brooks and Sarell Wood, in 1854. The palmy days in the history of Newaygo began in 1853, when a number of enterprising men at Glens Falls, N. Y., who had previously purchased large tracts of lands on the Muskegon River, organized the "Newaygo Company," and commenced building a dam across the river, and erected one of the largest mills in the county, in which 120 saws were run. The company consisted of A. N. Cheney, L. L. Arms, A. F. Orton, H. J. Orton and Amasa B. Watson. Almost everything to be used in this work had to be conveyed from Grand Rapids by teams, giving employment to a large number of men. Greater hotel accommodations were needed, and the Exchange Hotel was erected by Samuel W. Matevey. The Brooks House was erected four years later, by John A. Brooks. The mill added at once nearly 200 to, the population of the village.
From this time forward, Newaygo was an impor- tant point. It became the headquarters of the lumber business north of Grand Rapids. Mr. Brooks secured an appropriation to improve the Muskegon River flats near Muskegon to facilitate the running of rafts, and the river was so far improved that steamboats made regular trips to Newaygo during favorable seasons. Appropriations were made for State roads, and a road was built 88 miles north to Traverse City, and the road to Grand Rapids was graded and turnpiked. Centering at Newaygo, 187 miles of State roads were built in different directions. Hon. E. L. Gray, who came to the village in 1854, and thenceforward took an active part in all public enterprises, built 99 miles of these roads. As lumber operations extended up the Muskegon River, the trade of Newaygo increased. Its two large hotels were crowded with guests. Its merchants handled vast quantities of lumbermen's supplies. Long trains of teams traveled the roads leading to Grand Rapids and Muskegon, and a daily stage ran to Grand Rapids, and afterward to Big Rapids, while a stage ran to Muskegon every other day. The Newaygo post-office was for several years the distributing post-office for the Grand Traverse region.
But all this was the work of years, during which Newaygo shared in the ups and downs of the lumber business. In 1857 the old Newaygo Company was compelled, like many other institutions in that disas- trous year, to make an assignment and re-organize. In 1856, J. H. Maze, now of Grand Rapids, started the Newaygo Republican, which was for many years the only paper in the county. At present there are four.
A new order of things began in 1867, when the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was built to Cedar Springs, and a share of the northern traffic and travel diverted in that direction, and it became evident that the commercial importance of the town could only be retained by securing railroad communications with Grand Rapids. This was accomplished through the persistent labor and wise management of D. P. Clay, ably seconded by W. D. Fuller, Hon. E. L. Gray, S. K. Riblet and other prominent citizens. The rail- road reached Newaygo Sept. 11, 1872, and from that time has done a prosperous business. In 1876 it was extended to Morgan Station on the Big Rapids branch of the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore rail- road. Its final terminus will be at Traverse City.
Soon after the railroad was built, the village was greatly improved by the grading and graveling of State Street, at an expense of between $3,000 and $4,000. This street, upon which are nearly all the stores, offices and public buildings, is excelled in few, if any, western villages.
The lumber trade, though it will continue some years longer, must yearly become less and less a factor in its business, and Newaygo will finally have to fall back on its agricultural resources, and those of the surrounding country, for its importance. Hap- pily for the town, these are abundant, and of a high order. The water power furnished by Muskegon River and Brooks and Pennoyer Creeks is amply sufficient to run more machinery than now exists in any city in Michigan, and it can be managed and applied with little trouble and expense. The field is an inviting one to men of capital and enterprise, and when the one overshadowing business of lumbering ceases to monopolize both, they will doubtless be diverted into the many branches of manufactures for which Newaygo furnishes so fine an opening. Brooks Creek, with more than a hundred feet fall in half a mile, should be lined with factories, and Pen-
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noyer Creek, with like superfluity of power, should also be put into use, while the strong and stable cur- rent of the Muskegon awaits the day when its tireless force shall turn hundreds of turbines and do the work of thousands of men. Pure water and rapid streams render Newaygo one of the most healthful places in the State.
The act of the Legislature incorporating the vil- lage of Newaygo was approved March 16, 1867, and the first election was held April 8, following. The principal officers chosen at that time were as follows : John H. Standish, President; Wilkes L. Stuart, Dex- ter P. Glazier, Aaron S. Skinner, John A. Brooks, Augustus Paddock and Henry Kritzer, Trustees; William D. Fuller, Clerk. The following are the present village officers, chosen in April, 1883:
President, John H. Simmons; Trustees, I. N. Rob- inson, Jno. A. Brooks, Aaron S. Skinner, Tyson Smith, S. D. Bonner, Sanford Brown; Clerk, Walter, R. Taylor; Treasurer, S. D. Thompson; Assessor Wellington Persons; Marshal, Aaron Courtright ; Village Attorney, William D. Fuller; Street Commis- sioner, S. K. Riblet; Fire Warden, A. D. Graves; Health Officer, David W. Flora; Pound Master, Richard Potter; Constable, Fred Rode; Special Police, Hewett Potter, L. Meeker.
Regular meeting of Council, first and third Wed- nesdays of every month.
The population of the village was 703 in 1870, 976 in 1874 and 1,097 in 1880.
THE NEWAYGO COMPANY has been referred to as one of the main pillars of Newaygo's prosperity, by employing a large number of hands, and adding to the general business of the village. The years of depression following the panic of 1873 caused this company to suspend, and many considered it dead. In 1880, all its property was bought out by a new company, called also the Newaygo Company. The stock in this new organization was composed of 4,000 shares, of $25 each. The shareholders at that time (substantially the same as now) were as follows : D. P. Clay, 3,600 shares ; Bennett Fulkerson, 130 ; John B. Graves, 50; Luther Colby, 40; George H. Hobart, 40; Albert V. Thompson, 40; Hugo Harbinger, 40, and James M. Edwards, 20. This company has steadily enlarged its business, and now employs about 125 to 150 men, besides the large number in the store of D. P. Clay & Co, and in Mr.
Clay's lumber camps. The principal branch of the business is the tub and pail factory, which employs about 30 hands and turns out daily about 575 pails, shipped to Grand Rapids and Chicago, chiefly. The company also have a planing mill, employing 20 hands, two saw-mills and a lumber yard, employing 80 hands. Mr. Clay also operates a flouring mill, on his own account.
THE NEWAYGO CHAIR COMPANY was incorporated in October, 1882, with the following stockholders : Lyman Guinnip, 500 shares; H. D. Guinnip, 100; J. F. A. Raider, 200; John H. Simmons, 40; E. L. Gray, 40; A. V. Thompson, 40; C. C. Kritzer, 20; S. D. Thompson, 20; Wm. D. Fuller, 20; H. J. Orton, 20. The company have their building completed, and are ready for the machinery. It is very advantageously situated, by the railroad. Its products can be loaded directly on the cars, and teaming will thus be saved.
The flouring mills of Henry Kritzer completes the list of Newaygo's present manufacturing enter- prises.
Following is a list of the general business firms of Newaygo :
BUSINESS FIRMS.
M. S. Angell, drugs and news.
John Bailey, saloon.
C. A. Banker, blacksmith.
D. P. Clay & Co., general merchandise.
Jerome Carpenter, furniture.
James C. Coon, blacksmithing and wagon shop.
Will Courtright, " The Courtright."
J. H. Edwards, hardware.
W. D. & E. S. Fuller, Newaygo Tribune.
George W. Fry, blacksmith.
G. H. Gates, billiards.
Isaac Hobbs, restaurant.
E. I. Hewes, general merchandise.
Mrs. M. E. Hunt, millinery.
Fred Jacobi, general merchandise.
Fred Jacobi, Jr., jeweller.
Mrs. Julia Jarse, Jarse House.
Keefe, Sutliff & Co., livery.
George King, harness and shoe shop.
Henry Kritzer, Newaygo Mills.
David Millard, general merchandise.
James H. McKee, photographer.
L. R. Meeker, drayman.
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J. W. Maynard, barber. H. C. Nobles, cooper. Newaygo Company, lumber. Persons & Edwards, abstract-makers. Hewitt Potter, drayman.
S. K. Riblet, general merchandise.
J. F. A. Raider, drugs, groceries, etc.
I. N. Robinson, real estate and loans.
D. E. Soper, real estate, loans and insurance. William Schau, blacksmith.
E. O. Shaw & Bro., Newaygo Republican.
R. Surplice, grocery and saloon.
E. O. Shaw, post-office.
George A. Turner, meat market.
S. D. Thompson, grocery.
H. M. Van Gieson, music teacher.
Mrs. J. H. Wiseman, millinery.
Wmn. Whitman, Newaygo House. George H. Young, livery.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION is represented by D. W. Flora (Regular), Tyson Smith (Homeopathic), O. Smith (Homeopathic), and L. F. McCormick (Regu- lar); and the attorneys residing in the village are George Luton, A. G. Day, E. L. Gray and W. D. Fuller.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH is the pioneer religious organization here, as elsewhere. The first sermon preached in Newaygo (or in Newaygo County) was delivered by Rev. William Kelley, June 30, 1850. There were at that time only three houses in Newaygo. The Muskegon circuit, embracing Ne- waygo, was organized in 1852, and Newaygo charge was first designated as such in 1857. The church was built in 1860, when Rev. Thomas B. Granger was pastor. He appointed as trustees William Loomis, Henry Loomis, Pomeroy C. Spooner, John Morse and T. J. Randolph. At that time the Church had but nine members. The present membership, under Rev. Mr. Van Wyck, is about 50.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH is an old society, and has the honor of building the first church in Newaygo. The society was formed Nov. 8, 1855, with the following members: Sarell Wood, James M. Stryker, E. P. Chapin, Edmund Lamb, Edgar L. Gray, Ashley B. Furman and John H. Standish. The first trustees were Sarell Wood, James M. Stryker and Edmund Lamb. Their church was erected the winter ensuing, at a cost of about $3,000.
The society has always been a strong one until the fire of 1883, which destroyed the church. A new building will be erected this coming summer (1884.)
ST. MARK'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL MISSION was organized in 1872. The pastors of the society have been Revs. Mosely Morris, E. W. Flower (now of Greenville), William H. Sparling (now of Geneseo, Ill.), and J. Rice Taylor (now of Poultney, Vt.). The last regular services were held in October, 1882. The society numbers 23, and the congregation about 60. In 1883, they have been erecting a very com- modious, handsome brick church, which has already cost $1,300, and will cost finally $3,000 or more.
NEWAYGO LODGE, NO. 131, F. & A. M., was conse- crated with very solemn ceremonies Jan. 29, 1862. The following first officers were installed: Charles W. Leonard, W. M .; W. Irving Latimer, S. W .; Warren P. Adams, J. W .; Solomon K. Riblet, Treas .; Justus C. Hubbard, Sec .; Daniel Weaver, S. D .; George H. Mallery, J. D .; and John B. Folger, Tyler. The present membership of the lodge is about 60. The present officers are as follows : John Pittwood, W. M .; H. L. Brace, S. W .; Hollis T. Reed, J. W .; E. S. Bennett, Secretary ; S. D. Thomp- son, S. D .; I. N. Robinson, J. D .; James McKee, Tyler. The lodge meets the Friday on or before the full moon of each month.
NEWAYGO CHAPTER, NO. 138, R. A. M., was chartered Jan. 11, 1865. Alanson St. Clair was the first High Priest; W. I. Latimer, the first King; and J. L. Alexander, the first Scribe. The present officers are as follows : S. D. Thompson, H. P .; J. H. Sim- mons, K .; A. O. White, S .; G. W. Fry, C. of H .; J. Pittwood, P. S .; W. J. Pike, R. A. C .; George Luton, M. 3d V .; J. W. Dunning, M. 2d V .; E. Edwards, M. Ist V .; I. N. Robinson, Treas .; W. Persons, Sec .; J. H. McKee, Sent. The chapter has about 40 members, and meets the Tuesday on or before the full moon, each month.
NEWAYGO LODGE, No. 254, I. O. O. F., was organ- ized in February, 1875, with E. O. Shaw as N. G .; William Glanville, U. G .; R. Surplice, Secretary ; Aaron Courtright, Treas. The present officers are as follows: Aaron Skinner, V. G .; George E. Taylor, V. G .; Pierce Picket, Perm. Sec .; C. K. Carter, Rec. Sec .; George King, Treas .; Mich. Rep. to G. L., William Graham, D. D. G. M. The lodge has membership of about 60, and meets every Monday.
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
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NEWAYGO ENCAMPMENT, No. 82, I. O. O. F., was organized in March, 1877, with William Glanville as C. P .; E. O. Shaw as J. W .; Jerome Carpenter, H. P .; R. Surplice, S .; Aaron Courtright, Treas. At present, Robert Wallace is C. P .; George King, J. W .; Ransom Eckels, H. P .; Jerome Carpenter, S .; and George King, Treas. The membership of the encampment is 26, and it meets the last Friday of each month.
NEWAYGO LODGE, No. 886, I. O. G. T., was organ- ized Aug. 16, 1875, with 25 members, and the follow- ing officers : S. K. Riblet, C. T .; Mrs. S. F. Skinner, V. T .; E. A. Whitman, Chap .; Mrs. J. H. Edwards, Sec .; J. F. A. Raider, Fin. Sec .; S. D. Bonner, Treas .; Wilford Knox, Mar .; Mrs. A. P. Day, I. G .; John Mapes, O. G. The present officers are as follows : J. H. Edwards, C. T .; Mrs. J. H. McKee, V. T .; A. H. Norris, Chap .; Walter R. Taylor, Sec .; Ernest Fuller, Fin. Sec .; Byron Joslin, Treas .; George H. Young, Mar .; Jennie Fuller, I. G .; Mattie Rosewarn, O. G. The lodge now has a membership of about 40, and meets Wednesday evenings.
NEWAYGO COUNCIL, No. 46, R. T. of T., was organized Nov. 4, 1881, with 24 members. The first officers were as follows: J. F. A. Raider, P. C .; N. H. Walbridge, S. C .; S. D. Thompson, V. C .; M. E. Massie, R. S .; Lucy Utley, F: S .; Phœbe Millard, Treas .; George Utley, Herald; Georgette Fuller, Guard; C. F. Atwood, Sent .; J. P. Gallagher, Chap. The present officers are as follows: L. F. Skinner, S. C .; David Millard, V. C .; J. H. Edwards, R. S .; J. F. A. Raider, F. S .; A. N. Jones, Treas .; Charles F. Atwood. Herald; Mrs. J. H. Edwards, Guard ; Mrs. Lucy H. Utley, Sent .; Marian Skinner, Chap. The council now has 22 members. It meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
FIRES.
Newaygo's first serious fire was the burning of the Newaygo Company's saw-mill, some years before 1870. The second fire of importance occurred on the night of Sept. 5, 1874. The flames were discovered by James H. Wiseman, while standing in the door of his room at the Exchange Hotel, as they first issued from the rear of Luton & Sinclair's drug store. The alarm being given, at least 500 people were on the spot in ten minutes; but the building in which the fire originated was past saving, and the people turned their attention to saving the buildings
on each side of it,-one owned by Hon. A. H. Gid- dings, and occupied by E. A. Simons as a grocery and lunch room, and the other owned and occupied by F. Jacobi as a grocery and dwelling.
So quickly did the flames reach the latter that Mr. Jacobi's family had barely time to reach the street before the rooms they had occupied were filled with smoke and fire. It was soon discovered that this building could not be saved, and the work of remov- ing goods commenced. Then the fire spread to D. E. Soper's drug store, and the goods were removed from there in a short space of time. The building, occupied by Mr. Soper as an insurance office was then torn down and dragged away, and thus the fire was prevented from spreading to Mr. Soper's book and jewelry store.
At one time it seemed impossible to prevent the destruction of Gidding's building on the west side ; but a few of the coolest, most determined workers were stationed here, and although the cornice was on fire several times, they succeeded in preventing, any great damage. The losses were about as follows: Luton & Sinclair, loss on building and stock, .$1,500, no insurance; F. Jacobi, building stock, household goods, wearing apparel, etc., $5,000, no insurance; D. E. Soper, two buildings, stock and fixtures of Palace Drug Store, $1,000 on store, and $1,500 on stock. Mr. Soper had $500 insurance on his store, but none whatever on his stock. There was no lack of water, but the means of using it to advantage were entirely inadequate.
The Great Fire.
UNDAY, April 29, 1883, occurred the men- orable fire which burned 30 buildings, and destroyed in all $50,000 worth of property. For many years the row of wooden buildings on Main Street had been considered a fire- trap, and periodical agitation of the necessity of fire protection had occupied the minds of the peo- ple. But long continued exemption from the ravages of fire lulled the business men and property holders to rest, and the magnificent natural advantages for protecting the town by means of water were allowed to remain unused. Even the large pump and hose which had been placed upon the public square by
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private subscription was not in shape for use, and when the hour of danger dawned upon the village of Newaygo, her people found themselves at the mercy of fire and flame. The following is the account given by the Republican:
"Sabbath morning dawned peaceful and smiling, and looked down upon a quiet town all unsuspicious of the rude awakening soon to break in upon its se- renity and make it a day long to be remembered. At about half past eight o'clock in the morning the alarm was given, and soon the flames broke forth through the roof of the store building opposite the Brooks House, owned by E. L. Gray, and occupied by E. Pine as a jewelry and news store, and overhead for a dwelling." The cause of the fire is not certainly known, and as there are different reports concerning its origin, the question will doubtless remain an open one.
" It was soon apparent that the flames could not be stayed, and the work of saving property commenced. Men and women worked like heroes, and a large portion of the movables were taken from the burn- ing building, and from those adjacent thereto. From this point the fire spread in both directions until it - was finally stayed on the west at J. H. Edwards hardware store, and on the east by the dwelling of J. H. Standish. In the meantime the flames crossed the street, and in spite of every effort on the part of the workers, the 'Brooks House,' long the pride of the village, was a mass of fire and smoke. From this point the fire lapped up the old meat-market build- ing, and the law and printing offices of W. D. Fuller, on the north, and, jumping over the brick store of S. K. Riblet, stopped by the way long enough to remove the old vacant store building once used by J. F. A. Raider, and also a small building next adjoining, oc- cupied by Persons and Edwards as an abstract office, and which had been an eye-sore to the villagers. Here the Raider brick block stopped the further spread of the flames, although McKee and others on the south removed most of their goods and fur- niture to safer quarters.
"As soon as the fire was fairly under headway, dis- patches for help were sent to Grand Rapids and Woodville, and just as the flames were under subjec- tion an engine from each town appeared upon the scene of action. The Grand Rapids engine left a quantity of hose, and the Woodville machine, manned
by a brave set of men, proceeded to wet down the burnt district in a thorough manner. All day long the joint work of destruction and salvation went on, and as the shadows of night closed in upon the vil- lage, the stars looked down upon a scene of wide- spread ruin and disaster. One hundred heads were shelterless, save as cared for by their more fortunate neighbors, and many had lost their all. Still a spirit of cheerfulness reigned, and plans for rebuilding were talked of before the hot flames had sunk into sullen rest amid the smoking ruin they had so quickly wrought."
The principal losses were as follows :
W. D. Fuller, law office and personal property, $1,000. Insurance $500.
Aaron and William Courtright, Brooks House, fur- niture and other personal property, and old meat- market building, $18,000. Insurance $4,500. The Brooks House was one of the ancient landmarks of the village, having been built by John A. Brooks.
J. F. A. Raider, vacant store and small building adjoining, and damage to brick store, $1,000, mostly covered by insurance.
J. H. Edwards, small building adjoining his hard- ware store, and an old barn, $700.
Richard Surplice, store and dwelling, $5,500. In- surance, $2,200.
J. H. Simmons, two buildings, $3,500. Insurance, $1,500.
D. H. Gates, household goods, etc., $250.
Mrs. Julia Jarse, Jarse House, $4,000. No insur- ance.
John Bailey, two buildings, $2,500. No insurance. George King, store and dwelling, $2,800. No in- surance.
E. L. Gray, office and store building and papers $500. No insurance.
A. G. Day, office and papers, $500. No insurance.
I. N. Robinson, personal property, $300. No in- surance.
Banker & McKee, one building, $1,000. No in- surance.
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