The Village of Grand Rapids, 1838 - 1849
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The Village of Grand Rapids was
incorporated by legislative act April 5, 1838. It included the territory
on the east side of Grand River bounded by a line beginning in Fulton
street at the river; thence east to the southeast corner of Hatch’s
addition; north to the line of Hastings street; west to the west line of
Canal street; south along the west line of Canal street to a point where
said line struck the river, which at that time was by the foot of Pearl
street; thence down the shore of the river to the place of beginning. By
an amendment to the village charger, January 16, 1843, the west line of
Hatch’s addition was substituted for the east line, thus by so much
narrowing the village area. Hatch’s addition was where since is
Kendall’s addition. Another amendment, March 23, 1848, enlarged the
limits, making the boundary begin on the east bank of Grand River
between Sections 25 and 36 of Town 7 North, Range 12 West; thence east
on the section line, where now is Wealthy avenue, to the middle of the
southern boundary of the west half of the southeast quarter of Section
30 in Town 7 North, of Range 11 West; thence north to Coldbrook; thence
along the north bank of Coldbrook to the river; thence along the east
bank of the river at low water mark to the place of beginning. A third
amendment, March 31, 1849, vacated all that part of the village lying
east of the Bostwick addition and south of Fulton street, and also all
east of the Dexter Fraction. Thus it stood till the change from village
to city was made in 1850.
The hamlet for three or four years after first settlement in 1833 grew
rapidly. From 1837 to 1850 the progress was comparatively slower, but for most
of the time it was constant. Various branches of manufacturing were started, in
a moderate way, moving forward barely fast enough to meet the simplest wants of
the not very large nor wealthy population in Grand Rapids and the towns about,
and up and down the Grand River Valley, "Our family – father, mother, sister, a younger brother and myself –
were residents of Grand Rapids in the summer of 1838. My first person
acquaintance with the place dated from the first of March, 1838. I was then an
inexperienced lad of fourteen and a half years. I was impressed with the
magnitude and grandeur of the river, particularly the falls or rapids. The
village swarmed with Indians who were spearing sturgeon in the river. We arrived
just as a notable ice gorge – memorable in history, that commenced at the
lower island and backing up rapidly, had submerged the whole town seemingly,
save the elevation known as Prospect Hill – had broken through and the flow of
water subsided. All that portion then known as Kent was literally jammed and
crammed full of immense icebergs. Judge Almy’s house on the river bank, a
short distance above the present site of Sweet’s Hotel, was nearly all under
water. The Stevens T. Mason, a steamboat that had been running on the river the
previous summer, was jammed from its moorings by the ice and flood and drive
inland up the valley of a small creek to a point well toward Dr. Platt’s early
residence, corner of Fulton and Division streets. The waters subsiding left the
boar stranded high and dry, a long distance from the river. Capt. Short, and his
son-in-law Jennings, in the spring of 1838, spent a number of weeks getting the
boat back again into the river, a work that I viewed with much interest and
curiosity, at short intervals, until it was accomplished. There was great scarcity of forage – no straw, no tame hay, and very little
of wild or "Catholic hay," so-called, which was mainly composed of
rushes, flags, cat-tails and weeds. We had six head of cattle, oxen and cows, to
subsist, and we made long journey in various directions in search of this wild
fodder, which we could only get in small quantities at any one place, paying for
the same at the rate of $30 and $35 per ton – guess weight. When we arrived in Grand Rapids in March, the "wild-cat" banks, as
they were known, were just tottering to their fall – the air was rife with
rumors of this one and that one that was reported to have closed its doors –
"busted" – and the panic-stricken people were filled with dire
forebodings and alarm. Each one examined his bills at night, and trembled in
view of the uncertainties of the morrow; for the issues of a night, who could
foretell? In a very remarkable way the Grand River Valley had been sown with a
particular variety of this worthless trash known as "Lapeer money,"
"thick as leaves in Vallambrosa". Some prominent citizens were
criminally prosecuted for undue officiousness in "floating" Lapeer
money; but in the general and immediate land-slide that submerged all the
wild-cat banks, it seemed invidious to make any distinctions, and general
anathemas were hurled at all the bank swindlers, without reference to character
or degree of guilt. In June, 1838, was a grand Indian payment at Grand Rapids – the Government
annuity. It was estimated that 10,000 Indians were encamped in the village. The
leading French traders with the Indians – Messrs. Louis, Antoine and Toussaint
Campau, and the Godfroys – garnered a rich harvest of silver half dollars,
until their measures were full to overflowing. I well remember an became quite attached to Aaron B. Turner and Jacob Barns,
who, I think, worked as apprentices or in some capacity in the old Grand River
Times printing office, up Canal Street. I think the Lucius Lyon salt well, at the foot of the foundations of
"the big mill" in Kent, had been bored to the depth of 300 feet or
more, as early as 1838. I am quite confident that I then saw the brackish water
running to waste in the river. (This is probably a mistake as to time. Lucius
Lyon’s contract for the boring was made late in 1839, and the overflow from
the tubing was obtained August 21, 1841. –Editor) The financial tightness continued, and was rather increased in 1841 by the
failure of the Bank of Michigan. In August the first salt well, above Bridge
street on the east bank of the river, was tubed, and the water thus procured was
of such strength as to inspire hope of great profits from the manufacture of
salt. The first notable burglary in Grand Rapids occurred in the night of
November 12, 1841, when the safe of Amos Roberts was robbed of $500 in specie
and about $125 in bank bills. For wolf bounties $96 were paid from the county
treasury in that year. In December a mill was completed by Granger & Ball at
Plaster Creek, and the manufacture of land plaster was begun. John Ball, in that
year, wrote to a New England newspaper that in all his travels he had not found
another country combining so many advantages as this about Grand Rapids,
"not even the celebrated Oregon". "Within the short space of six years as many thousand inhabitants have
taken up their residence in the Grand River country. About one thousand are
contained in the village of Grand Rapids. It contains at this time eight dry
goods stores, one hardware, one drug and medicine, and one book store; four
tailor, four blacksmith, three shoemaker, two carriage making, one chair and two
cabinet shops; three public inns, two churches, a court house, two flouring
mills, one saw mill, one tannery, one brewery, one pail factory, and one
printing office; two physicians, six ministers of the gospel, and (we blush to
mention it) only nine lawyers. Besides the above, there are two churches
building, the salt works nearly completed, a plaster mill and some half dozen
saw mills just about the village." This place was not quite out of the woods in 1844, as is indicated by the
fact that the public accounts showed $208 paid in bounties for killing
twenty-six wolves within the county during the previous year. The Legislature
appropriated six thousand acres of land for the building of "a free bridge
across Grand River at Grand Rapids". A company for the work had been
previously incorporated. Thomas D. Gilbert reported forty-eight arrivals and
forty-six departures of vessels at the mouth of Grand River in March and April,
1844, an encouraging indication of the growth of trade at the time. On the 12th
of July occurred the first very serious fire in the village – the burning of
the court house and jail. This started a movement for better protection against
fire. A new court house, a small one, costing only $300, was built soon
afterward. The burning of the little dwelling of Mrs. Twamley, a widow with three little
children, and all their household effects, was the chief exciting event of
January, 1845, in this village. The winter, as to storms and temperature, was
comparatively mild, and navigation opened early. A new steamboat was built at
the foot of Canal street, by Captain Jasper Parish – the Empire. The
engine for that boat was the first of the kind constructed here. It was made at
the shop of Henry G. Stone & Company; the patterns by Andrew Ferguson. It
was of seventy-five horse power. A pamphlet issued in the spring of 1845
contained the following brief business inventory of Grand Rapids: Fifteen stores, three flour mills, two saw mills, two furnaces and machine
shops, two pail factories, two tanneries, one woolen factory, one sash factory,
salt works, plaster mill, two hatters, three shoe shops, three tailors, one tin
and copper smith, one saddler, several blacksmiths, three public houses, two
printing offices, four churches, one incorporated academy, and three physicians. April 21 the Enquirer announced the appearance of the first dray, as
follows: "Let it be chronicled for the annalist; the month of April, 1845,
saw the first truck at Grand Rapids. Mr. David Kent is the enterprising owner
and driver." Two steamboats were running between this village and Grand
Haven. An ox weighing 1,700 pounds on foot was brought in from Barry county and
slaughtered, whereupon the people feasted. A railroad meeting was held June 25,
at which it was resolved to petition for a charter for a railroad from Battle
Creek to Grand Rapids. The completion of the stone work for the first bridge
across the river – at Bridge street – was the occasion of a lively
celebration, August 9. The capstone was laid on the western pier, with Masonic
ceremonies. The bridge was completed that season. The following further
description of the appearance of and signs of progress in the village of Grand
Rapids at this period is given by Frank Little, of Kalamazoo: My second residence in Grand Rapids dates from December, 1844, with an
engagement as clerk in the store of J. Morrison, in January, 1845, which was
situated at the foot of Monroe street, next door north of Col. Amos Roberts’
stone building in the row fronting east, up Monroe street. I had grown some, but
Grand Rapids had grown more, and had become a thriving, prosperous town. True,
the country generally had but partially recovered from the terrible scourge of
bankruptcy and financial "blue ruin" that had swept the land as with
besom of destruction. But the people were beginning to take heart, to crawl out
from under cover, and business was reviving. I remember that the principal
currency of Grand Rapids at that time was Smith’s of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
Marine and Fire Insurance notes, and the bills of the several branches of the
State bank of Indiana. I do not think the notes of a single Michigan bank were
current at par at that time. A large colony of Hollanders from the old country
soon settled at Black Lake, Zeeland and Holland, on the east shore of Lake
Michigan. These emigrants brought more or less gold with them – ten guilder
pieces, valued at $4 each. Much of this Dutch gold found its way up to Grand
Rapids, and with the silver coin disbursed by the Government to the Indians,
furnished a most valuable stable currency, and materially advance the material
wealth and business prosperity of the town. The frontage of the Roberts and Morrison stores in 1845, was literally the cul
de sac of Monroe street. The right-angled narrow exit between "Tanner
Taylor’s" store on the south, and the Mills store on the north, into
Canal street, was scarcely discernible; and particularly so by the runaway teams
from up Monroe street, which were never able to double the "narrows",
but almost invariably were corralled, massed in a heap and laid out, hors de
combat, in front of our store. Especially was this the case in winter, when icy.
If two horses with sleigh were thus running, one or both of them would slip down
opposite Faneuil Hall or the Rathbun, and momentum would bring the whole outfit,
horses, harness, sleigh, robes, straw, jugs, et cetera, in a most confusing heap
up against and onto our platform. Seldom were the horses seriously maimed or
injured, although these runaways were of almost daily occurrence. In the late fall and early spring Monroe street, from Division to Canal
street, became literally a river of mud. This mud was frequently from six to
eight inches deep the whole width of the street, and thick like hasty pudding.
From the summit at Luce’s Block the descent was much more rapids than now, and
in the early morning could be seen unmistakable evidences that, during the
night, the whole viscous mass of mud to the depth indicated, had, like an
immense Swiss glacier, moved bodily down the hill ten, fifteen or twenty feet. The people of Grand Rapids were noted for hospitality, and a cordial, hearty
welcome of all strangers and new comers. There was nothing cold, chilling or
forbidding in society, no aristocracy of blood or condition – no
exclusiveness. All sorts and conditions were recognized, and accorded standing
room. I bear cheerful testimony in my own experience, to the warm-hearted
friendliness, and generous, kindly interest taken in my welfare, and the
volunteer disinterested proffers of aid by many, many well remembered friends. In the early months of 1846 concerts by a newly organized brass band,
conducted by Prof. Marston, were among the leading amusements, and lyceum
discussions were prominent as intellectual feasts. Mild weather with muddy
streets prevailed, with the ice brokon (sic) in the river in February, and
navigation opened March 11. An unusually rapid falling of the river, after it
had been swollen by rains, was noticed this season. As an explanation, it was
said that there was a lower stage of water in the lakes, producing a stronger
current out of the rivers. On June 24 John Post, a painter, was killed by
falling from the top of the Congregational church belfry with the iron cross
which he was engaged in removing. A daily mail from Battle Creek, established in
August, marked a new era in postal facilities. Toward spring in 1847 there was a little excitement over the purchase of
lands in Ottawa county for a colony from the Netherlands, and the expectation
that a considerable number of those Hollanders would eventually settle in this
village. Lansing was selected as the location for the State Capital, in
February; and a legislative grant for the construction of a canal around the
rapids, further raised the hopes and stimulated the enterprise of the villagers.
The long-headed ones saw in it a source of profit; not so much from the use of
the canal as a transfer station in navigation as from the increased value of the
water power to result from the improvement. March 24 an "Irish Relief
Meeting" was held, the first of the kind here. "Liberal
subscriptions" were made, but their exact measure does not appear of
record. Up to this season it had been the custom of boats plying between Grand
Rapids and Grand Haven to land almost anywhere along the route, where a
handkerchief or a hat was waved as a signal. This spring the announcement was
made that they would stop only where sufficient docks were provided. A
delegation of thirty-six persons from this village attended the River and Harbor
Convention held at Chicago, July 5, 1847. The laying of the corner stone of St.
Mark’s Church (Episcopal) took place on the 9th of June, and the
church was consecrated November 18, Bishop McCoskry officiating. In 1848 the electors voted in May on the question of license or no license
for the sale of ardent spirits. The vote stood: For license 80, against 11.
There were a few cases of cholera in July. In September a bell ringer was
engaged, to ring the Congregational church bell, morning, noon and night, at a
salary of $50 a year. October 27, the agricultural society of the town of Walker
held a fair at the west end of the bridge. It was the beginning of that class of
exhibitions here. The payment of the Indian annuity occurred on the 15th
of November. About $20,000 in coin was disbursed, and as a large part of it went
into the coffers of traders, it was hailed as an important help financially. A
building was this year erected on West Bridge street for public uses, and was
occupied for some years by Dr. Joseph Penney as a lecture room, and by others
for kindred purposes and religious meetings. Agitation of the project of a plank
road to Kalamazoo was begun in December. The year 1849 opened with cold weather and good sleighing, which gave
liveliness to the lumber business, and to general trade in the village. There
was some scolding in the newspapers about the piles of wood brought in by
farmers and placed in the streets or on sidewalks. Good beech and maple wood,
four feet in length, was then worth from $1 to $1.50 per cord. The school house
in District No. 1 was burned on the night of February 22. High water just after
the middle of March stopped business at the mills for some days; flooded the
lower part of the town as far back as where the Union railroad depot now is, and
covered the islands in the river nearly out of sight. An amendatory act as
passed by the Legislature concerning the construction of the canal and locks
around the rapids, chiefly regulatory; as to the manner of settling accounts
with James Davis, the contractor, and authorizing the construction of a dam
across the river. The corner-stone of the Roman Catholic church, built on Monroe
street of the river limestone, was laid June 10. The walls were completed in
August. It was roofed in October, and consecrated in the following year. There
were several fatal cases of cholera at and near Grandville in that season, but
this village escaped the scourge. Work on the canal (east side) was resumed in
July, and prosecuted vigorously. The water was turned away from the east channel
of the river by a temporary dam, and excavations were begun for locks from the
basin into the slack water below. The files of "Dutch buggies", as the
wheelbarrows were called, attracted much attention. The east half of the basin
was cut off by an embankment through the center, and that part of it next Canal
street made dry land, and turned over for building and business uses. The
proposed locks were never constructed. The work was suspended shortly afterward,
and the canal rested. There was much activity in building that season, business
generally was brisk, and the people began to grow cheerful in the prospect of a
realization of their early dreams as to the coming importance of Grand Rapids.
The Union School building, constructed of limestone, where now stands the fine
brick Central, east of Ransom street, was completed that fall. A three-story
wood building on Canal street, a short distance above Lyon, was erected by Harry
H. Ives and Benjamin Luce, the second story of which was used for a public hall,
and the third story was occupied by the Sons of Temperance as a lodge room.
There was a good stage of water in the river all summer, and freight and
passenger traffic was lively. The bell in the Congregational meeting house
became cracked in November, and there was sighing among those who had depended
upon its ringing to know when dinner was ready. At the time of the Indian
payment, October 22, it was remarked that the Indians were from year to year
growing worse in condition, as regarded poverty, dissipation and general
demoralization. From August 24 to December 22, there was no death of an
inhabitant of the village. A notable incident of this year was the holding of
the first agricultural fair of the County Society, on the Public Square. January 14, 1850, occurred the burning of a building on Monroe street, just
below the then new Catholic Church, used in part as a chapel and in part as the
priest’s residence, by which two women – the mother and sister of the Rev.
Mr. Kilroy – lost their lives. This was the Richard Godfroy house, built in
1835. The village had only a small hand engine, and two lines of men with pails
were formed from that point to the river, and even ladies joined in the line,
passing back the empty pails. The movement for a city charter culminated in a
public meeting, February 18, at which a draft of the proposed charter was
submitted and adopted, and Harvey P. Yale was delegated to proceed with it to
Lansing and lay it before the Legislature, by which body the city was
incorporated April 2, 1850. The first annual ball of the firemen, February 22,
put a new link in the chain of social life, and was set down in newspaper
chronicles as "a very brilliant affair". The dam across the river was
an obstacle to the upward passage of fish, which they had never before met.
Consequently there was in this spring an unprecedented catch upon the rapids, of
sturgeon, pickerel, bass, suckers, and other members of the finny tribe, to the
great sport and profit of fishermen, with spears and nets. The river boats
started in the latter part of March, with lively traffic. A crevasse occurred in
the embankment between the guard gates and the east end of the dam, on the river
side of the canal, about 150 feet of which was carried away, March 23, shutting
down the machinery of the mills till the breach could be repaired. Two or three
companies of gold-seekers left Grand Rapids for California about this time, but
their places were more than filled by incomers who became residents. On Monday,
May 1, occurred the election, at the Bridge Street House, on the adoption of the
city charter. The vote stood 252 for to 91 against, giving 161 majority for the
charter. Under it the city was organized by the first election of municipal
officers May 11, 1850, and the village of Grand Rapids became a thing of the
past. VILLAGE LEGISLATION The charter of the village of Grand Rapids instituted a Board of seven
Trustees, who were empowered to elect a President, and these to be "a body
corporate and politic under the name of The President and Trustees of the
Village of Grand Rapids; to have a common seal; empowered to purchase, hold,
sell and convey real estate for village purposes, and given generally all such
powers of control and management over streets, fire and police and municipal
affairs as are usually exercised by similar corporations." The charter also
contained clauses regulatory of the manner of proceeding in the taking of
property for street uses and the levy and collection of taxes for village uses.
The first village election was held at the court house, Monday, May 1, 1838,
when the highest number of votes cast was 141, for Louis Campau for Trustee. The
first meeting of the Board to organize was held at the office of Charles I.
Walker, May 14, 1838, when Henry C. Smith was chosen President. Village by-laws
were adopted May 21. Among their provisions were prohibitions of horse racing,
of discharging fire arms, and of ball alleys or gaming houses within the
village; also of liquor selling at retail except by licensed tavern keepers. The
first set of village officers were elected at this Board meeting. In June
ditches were authorized, to drain the marsh in the region of Fountain, Greenwich
(now Ionia), Division and Lyon streets. Certain citizens were allowed to put a
well at the Monroe street corner in Greenwich (Ionia) street, with a platform
and pump. July 10, six acres of ground were purchased, on credit, of James
Ballard, for a cemetery – price $300 – the beginning of the present Fulton
Street Cemetery. An order was passed for the opening of Kent street to Monroe
street – a proposed improvement that has never been consummated. In September
the discovery was made that the village was bankrupt, having no funds, and
corporation notes (one and two dollar bills) to the amount of $300 were issued.
By resolution of the Board, these were made receivable for all taxes and dues to
the corporation, and some of them remained in circulation eight or ten years. In May, 1839, after the second election, a committee was appointed to settle
with ex-Treasurer Charles I. Walker, and reported that there had been no
receipts, no taxes having been levied. The only payments into the Treasury were
by corporation notes, of which the Treasurer had charged himself with $202, and
credited himself with certain payments amounting to $143.69, leaving a balance
due from him, which the committee reported was more than covered by his private
account against the corporation. They also reported claims against the village
of $350.52, and $126 of corporation notes outstanding. On June 3, another report
made it appear that the village was badly off financially, with bills against it
aggregating $890.59. It was then "Resolved, that all that portion of the
law passed by the former Board as to the issue of Shinplasters be and is hereby
rescinded." What might be the effect of rescinding instead of repealing a
law is a question which the lawyers of the Village Board appear not to have
taken pains to consider. June 17 a tax levy of $500 was ordered, to defray
current expenses. This appears to have been the beginning of village taxation;
except a dog tax previously laid, and such taxes as were imposed for certain
licenses. September 13, mention is made in the record of "the death of our
Village Attorney, whose loss is to be regretted". That referred to Benjamin
G. Bridge. George Martin was then appointed Attorney. The Board adjourned sine
die, December 9 – no quorum present. In 1840 there was an election, according to the record, at the "Grand
Rapids Hotel", and in 1841 an election at the "Grand River
Exchange". Further as to 1840 the record saith not; except that there were
new officers chosen. The first Board meeting in 1841 was held at the Kent Book
Store. In June, 1841, a tax roll of $172.38 was made for Division street, and a
grade for Monroe street was fixed. In August the Board of Trustees directed the
Village Marshal not to receive more than one-half of any tax in village duebills
or orders; for the rest he must exact good current money. The Treasurer was
instructed to pay out no moneys "until further directed by this
Board". But in October he was authorized to pay certain claims in full, and
on all other demands properly allowed to "pay 25 per cent till the money in
the Treasury is exhausted." The first entry of 1842 in the village record, is that of the charter
election, May 2, when, besides those for the regular candidates, one vote each,
for Trustee, was cast for "Patent Gates," "Old Melvin,"
"Salt Borer," and "Gov. Ray". As to these the Judges
formally declared the election void, because "they were not freeholders
within the corporation". The Board was a roving institution about that
time. It met June 11 at Grand River Exchange, June 20 at Evans’ store, October
10 and November 15 at "the Book Store". At the charter election in 1843 the highest vote for any Trustee was 44 for
Daniel Ball. The Board met at "the Book Store", and voted to pay the
Assessors $3 each, in full for making out rolls; Street Commissioner "such
pay as the Board shall think reasonable, not to exceed $1 per day; the Marshal 2
½ per cent on collections, and for other services not to exceed $1 per
day". In June George M. Mills was appointed by the Village Board an agent
to sell "so many lots in the cemetery ground belonging to this corporation
as shall be sufficient to pay up and liquidate all claims and judgments against
said corporation". He was also authorized to takes notes of purchasers,
payable twelve months from date. In 1845 the election was held at the Mansion House – date not recorded. The
highest vote was 145, for John Almy for Trustee. On the license question the
vote stood; License 94; no license 40. July 3, 1845, the Board met at the office
of Lucius Lyon. Canton Smith, Truman H. Lyon, and Charles Trompe, were licensed
as tavern keepers. Lucius Lyon and Louis Campau were requested to have the
"original patents: of the lands on which the village was situated recorded,
at the expense of the corporation. In January, 1848, petitions for a large amount of sidewalk making were sent
to the Board – walks to be not less than three feet wide. The charter election
of 1848 was held at the Rathbun House, and there was another complete turnover
on the license question, the vote standing: License, 80; no license, 11. A tax
of three mills on the dollar was ordered by the Village Board. Tavern licenses
were fixed at $10; victualers and grocers, $20; merchant liquors sellers, in
quantities not less than a pint, $10. Edward E. Sargeant was elected Village
Attorney. In June the canal basin was ordered cleaned. Daniel C. Moor did it for
$20. In July the fire-engine note given to Peaselee was taken up and a new one
given. In September a bell-ringer – F. L. Walden – was hired to ring the
Congregational Church bell three times a day for $0 a year. In October repair of
Justice street, from Monroe street to Trompe’s tavern, was ordered. In
December the Village Trustees concluded that they wanted some pay, and voted
themselves 50 cents for each monthly sitting and the same for each special
meeting – very modest in comparison with present salary rates. In April, 1849, the sidewalk four feet wide on the south side of Monroe
street, was ordered continued past the Congregational church to Fulton street,
and thence to the east side of Abram W. Pike’s lot. Orders in favor of George
Coggeshall for $50 were ordered drawn, in advance, for sidewalk construction.
The Marshal was instructed to procure a suitable hook and ladder carriage, to
cost not more than $25. Report was made by a committee to the Board that the
Treasurer’s accounts were found correct, and that he had "in his hand the
sum of ____ dollars". The charter election this spring was held May 7. On
license the vote was a tie – 57 to 57. The new Board met at the store of
Sinclair & King, and continued the previous schedule of licenses. On June 1
a sidewalk was ordered on the southeast side of Waterloo street, from Faneuil
Hall to Ball & Williams’ storehouses. A petition asked that the stream
entering Canal street just south of Backus Block, "which thereby creates a
great nuisance", be directed into the gutter on Bronson street, so as to be
conducted into the culvert on the north side of Franklin Block. The Street
Commissioner was directed to inquire into the expediency of so doing. June 8,
voted, "that licenses be issued to all applicants, and if it does not
protect them, pay back the money". In July the Marshal was directed to
procure and scatter through the village, 100 barrels of lime, in behalf of the
public health. The Board voted to refund money advanced by certain persons to
buy a fire engine. In December, resolved, "That we except (sic) the fire
engine of Mr. Snooks, and give him the corporation’s note for $400, payable in
one year, being the balance due." It was also resolved, "That we give
to all persons that wish a corporation note, payable the first of September,
1850, for the amount advanced for the Snooks engine", and that "if the
young men or boys will form a fire company, they may have the use of the
Peaselee engine". January 10, 1850, the Trustees appointed Charles H. Taylor, Julius C. Abel,
Alfred D. Rathbone, George Martin and Edward E. Sargeant, a committee to draft a
city charter – the city to include Sections 19 and 30 in Town Seven North, of
Range 11 West, and Sections 24 and 25 in Town Seven North, of Range 12 West.
January 23, $150 was appropriated to procure fire hooks, ladders and carriage,
for a hook and ladder company. February 28 the Board by vote recommended the
passage of the city charter. May 1, 1850, ends the village record with a
statement of the vote of the electors adopting the city charter. The following
is a list of the principal village officers from 1838 to 1849, inclusive: Boards of Trustees – 1838 Henry C. Smith, President; Louis Campau, Richard Godfroy, William
A. Richmond, Charles I. Walker, George Coggeshall, James Watson. 1839 George Coggeshall, President; Louis Campau, John Almy, Henry P.
Bridge, Francis J. Higginson, William G. Henry, Henry C. Smith 1840 John Almy, President; Antoine Campau, Charles Shepard, James M.
Nelson, Josiah L. Wheeler, Samuel F. Perkins, Israel V. Harris 1841 John Almy, President; James M. Nelson, William G. Henry, Antoine
Campau, Harvey K. Rose, Charles I. Walker, Samuel F. Butler 1842 John Almy, President; Samuel F. Butler, William G. Henry, James M.
Nelson, Harvey K. Rose, Antoine Campau, Charles I. Walker 1843 John Almy, President; Lucius Lyon, Daniel Ball, Charles H. Taylor,
George Coggeshall, Julius C. Abel, George M. Mills 1844 The record contains no entry of any election this year, but at a
Board meeting were present John Almy, President; Julius C. Abel, George M.
Mills, Charles H. Taylor, George Coggeshall 1845 Trustees elected failed to qualify, and the Board of the previous
year held over. 1846 William Peaselee, President; Harvey K. Rose, Charles Shepard,
David Seymour, David Burnett, Zenas G. Winsor, James M. Nelson 1847 George Coggeshall, President; Amos Rathbone, George C. Evans,
William H. McConnell, William H. Godfroy, Boardman Noble, Kendall Woodward 1848 Geo. Coggeshall, President; Joshua Boyer, Thompson Sinclair,
William Peaselee, William H. Godfroy, George Kendall, Abram W. Pike 1849 George Coggeshall, President; Harry Eaton, Luther N. Harmon, Heman
Leonard, Thompson Sinclair, Solomon O. Kingsbury, Julius C. Abel Clerks John W. Peirce, 1838 - 1846 Samuel R. Sanford, 1847 – 1848 Solomon O. Kingsbury, 1849 Treasurers Charles I. Walker, 1838 William G. Henry, 1839 Antoine Campau, 1840 – 1841 Samuel F. Butler, 1842 William G. Henry, 1843 Henry Seymour, 1846 Amos Rathbone, 1847 George Kendall, 1848 Harry Eaton, 1849 Marshals Gideon Surprenant, 1838 – 1839 William O. Lyon, 1840 William I. Blakely, 1841 – 1842 Harry Dean, 1843 George C. Evans, 1844 Jacob W. Winsor, 1846 Ira S. Hatch, 1847 – 1848 Michael Connolly, 1849 |
Transcriber: Evelyn Sawyer
Created: 08 February 2002