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Description of Land of Village of Lisbon and Original Signers and Early History
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Lisbon Lodge #229, F. & A. M., 1868 - 1968
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Lisbon Cemetery Company - Names of Members, 1867-1878, 1913 Non-Residents Burial Permits
Transcribed by Evelyn Sawyer, 1998
"Be it remembered that the foregoing page is a plat of land describe as follows: starts at the quarter post on east side of Section 25 in township 9, north of range 13 west in the county of Ottawa and State of Michigan and running thence west 33 feet, then north 269 ½ feet, thence west 132 ft, thence north 561 feet, thence west 1155 feet, thence north 495 feet, thence east 660 feet, thence westerly 187.52 feet, angling south from a direct west course 13 feet and 10 ½ inches, thence north 200 feet, west 342 feet, north 132 feet, west 98 feet, north 33 feet to the south line of section 24 in said township, north 165 feet, east 396 feet, north 33 feet, east 231 feet, north 142.22/25 feet, thence east 33 feet to west line of section 19 in township numbered 9, north range, 12 est., east 214 feet, south 93 feet, east 352 feet, south 214 feet, east 547 feet, south 33 feet to north line section 30 in said township, south 385 feet, west 387 ¾ feet, south 173 feet, west 528 feet, south 82 ½ feet, west 165 feet, south 351 feet, east 481 feet, south 346 feet, west 679 feet to the place of beginning – to be known as the Village of Lisbon.
The parcels and pieces of land set apart for public highways on said plat are described as follows, that describe on said plat as State Street being 66 feet wide and 2,991 feet long. That described on said plat as Ottawa Street being 66 feet wide and 1,773 feet long. That described on said plat as Church Street being 49 feet wide and 1,080 feet long. That described on said plat as Kent Street being 49 feet wide and 302 feet long. That described on said plat as Frost Street being 49 feet wide and 302 feet long.
The above described streets are all intended and are hereby set apart as Public Highways (Streets). The blocks are progressively numbered by words placed near the center thereof from one to eight – inclusive. The lots are numbered on each of said Blocks by figures placed near the center thereof. The figures at the ends and sides of said lots designate the length and breadth thereof in feet and fractional parts of a foot. The center point at intersection of Sate and Ottawa Streets is same point as the northeast corner of Section 25 in Township numbered 9, north of Range 13 West in Ottawa County, State of Michigan.
In witness whereof we the undersigned proprietors of said above described lands so platted and Christopher C. Hinman, Surveyor of said plats have hereunto set out hands and seals this Eighteenth day of July, 1976.
Alexander B. Frost, Mrs. Marie E. Irish, Charles C. Eddy
Nancy M. Frost, Hamilton B. Irish, J. J. Smith
John P. Smith, Mary T. Keeler, Curtis Pintler
Charles A. Gronburg, Ethalinda Allen, B. Rosenberg
Sophia Gronburg, Malinda Eddy, Anna Maria Rosenberg
Friederich Kirchner, Sophia Decker, Matilda F. Purdy
Friederiecke Kirchner, John P. Atkins, Conrad Kritzer
Richard Hawkins, Dell E. Atkins, Christine Kritzer
Charles C. Eddy, Nancy A. Thurston, H. S. Thurston
C. Jannett Eddy, Daniel Thurston, Charles E. Koon
Joseph Brooks, John Thurston, Elizabeth Koon
Olive M. Brooks, E. E. Tallman, George M. Miller
Catharine Roberts, George S. Chubb, Allen Meeker
Jacob Th. Mann, S. Delia Chubb, Electa Meeker
Sherman J. Koon, Sarah Shuck/Sherck, Nettie Stuart
M. Maria Koon, Eliza A. Stringham, Brayton Chester
Mary M. Chester
Signed by Christopher C. Hinman (Surveyor)
Amherst B. Cheney, Justice of the Peace, Kent County, Michigan
The village of Lisbon, whose population once boasted 350 inhabitants, is now deserted. The village was located on Twelve Mile Road and Kenowa Avenue, in the townships of Sparta, Kent County and Chester, Ottawa County, Michigan.
Many of the residents of the area are from the original settlers of Lisbon. On November 10, 1844, John Pintler and his family blazed a trail through the wilderness and arrived at the site of what became Lisbon. Curtis Pintler, son of John, was the first white child born there in 1852. The locality was originally called Pintler’s Corners. In 1848 a mail route was established between Grand Rapids and Newaygo and John Pintler was the first postmaster for this area. Later, a relay station was established for the Grand Rapids and Big Rapids Coach Lines where people could transfer to the Muskegon Line. In 1859 the name was changed to Lisbon when it became an incorporated village.
Business began to prosper. The first goods sold from a store were by Miner Atherton in 1855. Other early businesses were G. M. Miller’s flour mill, James Bodinis’ sawmill and steam thresher works, H. B. Irish, J. J. Smith and E. A. Johnson, hardware dealers; F. Kirchner and J. P. Mann, shoemakers; John Bloomstrom, Frick and Herbert Whitsell and Wilbur, wagonmakers; J. R. Harrison, R. Hawkins, Charles G. Heath, E. G. Thurston, storekeepers; A. S. Acker, blacksmith and machinist; James Partridge, carpenter and insurance agent. Lorenzo Chubb’s three story Hotel was the scene of dances, recitals and lectures. At one time there was an apple-packing plant called King’s Mill that packed apples in barrels. Later, they made barrels and baskets. There were two doctors, Dr. Charles Koon, and his brother, Dr. Sherman Koon, who operated a drug store in the first floor of the Masonic Temple – one of the first built in the state.
The first house of worship was built in 1864 by the Methodists and the Baptist church was built shortly afterward. A two-frame school was built in 1871 at a cost of $2,700. At one time it housed 150 students and three teachers.
John Kleibusch (1905-1925) was the last postmaster. After that many of the 26 buildings comprising Lisbon were taken down and moved. Many feel the decline of Lisbon, the old stagecoach town, was when the railroad came to Sparta. The line was built a mile north of Lisbon and called Gooding. In 1904 an election was held and it was decided to vacate their charter. In 1940 there were 51 persons in Lisbon
Lisbon Lodge No. 229, F. & A. M. - 1968
Lisbon Lodge, under dispensation, formally met April 18, 1867, with C. E. Koon as Worshipful Master, S. J. Koon as Senior Warden and S. Atherton as Junior Warden. Other officers were appointed by the Worshipful Master. The first meeting was held in a store building in Kent County.
The first meeting under Charter as Lisbon Lodge No. 229 F. & A. M. was held January 16, 1868. A committee of George Cole, S. J. Koon and S. Atherton was formed to draft a set of bylaws. It was also decided by motion, to meet the Thursday night on or before the full moon. An election of officers was held February 6, and a motion for public consecration of the lodge room and installation of the officers was to be held on February 13. It was supported and carried.
At this time our minutes show that Berlin Lodge No. 248 F. & A. M. was under dispensation.
On November 26, 1868 (or 1867?), the lodge apparently met in the present hall, and on February 13, 1868, after consecration of the new hall, the officers were duly installed.
On December 17, 1874 a petition was received asking that Lisbon Lodge recommend the establishment of a new lodge at Sparta.
At this time a committee was appointed to see about purchasing an emblematic carpet. On January 21, 1875 the committee reported the carpet purchased and laid. The bill of $33.39 was presented to cover the cost of the carpet and a stove.
On December 17, 1874 a committee examined the hall at Sparta, found it suitable, and it was recommended a lodge be established at Sparta.
In 1881 the Koon brothers agree to build a 14 x 26 addition to the present building, rather than have the lodge build a new hall.
Assets of the lodge in 1882 were $2,070.31, mostly in loans or mortgages at 10%. Membership at this time was 109.
In 1892 the lodge and barn were bought for $950.00. The barn was remodeled to provide stalls for 28 horses and the first floor of the lodge hall was remodeled as a dining room.
After due procedure in 1893, Lotus Chapter of Eastern Star was instituted in 1894.
In 1899 the Lodge purchased the present desk from the Sampler Furniture Company for $7.00.
Dr. Charles E. Koon, the first Worshipful Master, passed away in June, 1900.
Ravenna’s application to form a new lodge at Ravenna was approved by Lisbon Lodge, January 21, 1905.
On January 22, 1910, members of our Lodge petitioned for dimits or certificates of transfer to form a new Lodge at Casnovia. A motion was made, supported and carried to approve the petition.
In all, three Lodges have sprung from Lisbon Lodge No. 229 F. & A. M.: Sparta Lodge No. 334 at Sparta, Ravenna Lodge No. 441 at Ravenna and Casnovia Lodge No. 461 at Casnovia. This naturally reduced our jurisdiction and in the past has caused many problems but at the present time the lodge seems to be healthy and thriving and looking forward to the next one hundred years with optimism and hope.
Committee: John Lauffer and Leroy A. Vogel
Lisbon Lodge, under dispensation, formally met April 18, 1867, with C. E. Koon as Worshipful Master, S. J. Koon as Senior Warden and S. Atherton as Junior Warden. Other officers were appointed by the Worshipful Master. The first meeting was held in a store building in Kent County.
The first meeting under Charter as Lisbon Lodge No. 229 F. & A. M. was held January 16, 1868. A committee of George Cole, S. J. Koon and S. Atherton was formed to draft a set of bylaws. It was also decided by motion, to meet the Thursday night on or before the full moon. An election of officers was held February 6, and a motion for public consecration of the lodge room and installation of the officers was to be held on February 13. It was supported and carried.
At this time our minutes show that Berlin Lodge No. 248 F. & A. M. was under dispensation.
On November 26, 1868 (or 1867?), the lodge apparently met in the present hall, and on February 13, 1868, after consecration of the new hall, the officers were duly installed.
On December 17, 1874 a petition was received asking that Lisbon Lodge recommend the establishment of a new lodge at Sparta.
At this time a committee was appointed to see about purchasing an emblematic carpet. On January 21, 1875 the committee reported the carpet purchased and laid. The bill of $33.39 was presented to cover the cost of the carpet and a stove.
On December 17, 1874 a committee examined the hall at Sparta, found it suitable, and it was recommended a lodge be established at Sparta.
In 1881 the Koon brothers agree to build a 14 x 26 addition to the present building, rather than have the lodge build a new hall.
Assets of the lodge in 1882 were $2,070.31, mostly in loans or mortgages at 10%. Membership at this time was 109.
In 1892 the lodge and barn were bought for $950.00. The barn was remodeled to provide stalls for 28 horses and the first floor of the lodge hall was remodeled as a dining room.
After due procedure in 1893, Lotus Chapter of Eastern Star was instituted in 1894.
In 1899 the Lodge purchased the present desk from the Sampler Furniture Company for $7.00.
Dr. Charles E. Koon, the first Worshipful Master, passed away in June, 1900.
Ravenna’s application to form a new lodge at Ravenna was approved by Lisbon Lodge, January 21, 1905.
On January 22, 1910, members of our Lodge petitioned for dimits or certificates of transfer to form a new Lodge at Casnovia. A motion was made, supported and carried to approve the petition.
In all, three Lodges have sprung from Lisbon Lodge No. 229 F. & A. M.: Sparta Lodge No. 334 at Sparta, Ravenna Lodge No. 441 at Ravenna and Casnovia Lodge No. 461 at Casnovia. This naturally reduced our jurisdiction and in the past has caused many problems but at the present time the lodge seems to be healthy and thriving and looking forward to the next one hundred years with optimism and hope.
Committee: John Lauffer and Leroy A. Vogel
| C. E. Koon 1868-1874 | Leroy A. Vogel 1932-1933 |
| Charles Dole 1875-1877 | Maurice Anderson 1934-1935 |
| C. E. Koon 1878 | Arthur Jablonski 1936-1937 |
| Abel Chase 1879-1880 | Art T. Condon 1938 |
| A. J. Booram 1881-1884 | Leslie Groeneveld 1939 |
| Thomas W. Gibbs 1885-1886 | Harvey Batson 1940 |
| L. W. Gannon 1887-1889 | Hiram Higley 1941 |
| G. C. Whitsell 1890-1891 | Russell Patterson 1942 |
| D. Waller 1892-1896 | Boyd Brittain 1943 |
| G. L. Chubb 1897-1899 | Elmer Triick 1944 |
| G. H. Press 1900-1901 | John Host 1945 |
| John Babcock 1902-1903 | Jay Bolthouse 1946 |
| Earl B. Thurston 1904-1905 | Lowell McKinney 1947 |
| William Lauffer 1906-1907 | David Batson 1948 |
| E. A. Webb 1908-1909 | Elmo Heft 1949-1950 |
| Charles Bean 1910-1911 | Milton Doane 1951 |
| Louis P. Steig 1912-1914 | Pearl Carter 1952 |
| A. F. Fitchit 1915 | John Host 1953 |
| Martin L. Klenk 1916-1917 | Verl Beuschel 1954-1955 |
| Charles G. Batson 1918-1919 | Russell Lowing 1956-1957 |
| Louis P. Steig 1920 | Richard McKinney 1958 |
| Charles L. Bean 1921 | George Klenk 1959-1960 |
| Willard Asman 1922-1923 | John Host 1961-1963 |
| P. B. Gillhespy 1924-1925 | Pearl Carter 1964 |
| G. E. Jacobs 1926-1927 | Clifford Rasmussen 1965 |
| John G. Lauffer 1928-1929 | Alvin Wilson 1966 |
| Ralph Wright 1930-1931 | Lynn Hill 1967 |
| Thomas Rasmussen 1968 | |
In all, fifty different men have served as the Worshipful Master of this Lodge including the first year on dispensation and the present year. Brother Dr. Charles E. Koon was the first Worshipful Master and served nine years including the year on dispensation, two served five years each, two served four years each, four served three years each, twenty-three served two years each and seventeen have served single terms.
COPY OF NOTICE FOR FIRST MEETING
TO ESTABLISH A BURIAL GROUND AT LISBON, MICHIGAN
In pursuance of an application made by L. Chubb and C. O. Koon of the Township of Chester, Ottawa County, Michigan and F. McNitt of the Township of Sparta, Kent County, Michigan,
To A. S. Hildreth, a Justice of the Peace for said county of Kent and State of Michigan, for a warrant empowering one of said applicants to call a meeting for the purpose of organizing a Burying Ground Corporation according to the laws of Michigan. In obedience of said warrant,
I hereby give notice that there will be a meeting held at the school house in the Village of Lisbon on Monday evening, November the twenty sixth, at 7 p.m. A.D., 1866 for the purpose of organizing such corporation, electing officers, establishing bye-laws and transacting such other business as may become necessary for said corporation.
C. E. Koon
Lisbon, November 13th, 1866 (By authority of A. S. Hildreth, Justice of the Peace for Kent Co.)
State of Michigan
County of Kent
Thereby certify that the within notice is a true and correct copy of two notices posted up by me one on the door of Miner Atherton’s Store and one on Miles Chubb’s store door in Lisbon.
Said notices were posted up on the fourteenth day of November A.D., 1866 – C. E. Koon
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of November, 1866 – Alonzo S. Hildreth, Justice of the Peace for Kent County. The above is a true copy – A. B. Frost, Sec.
COPY OF WARRANT
In pursuance of an application made by Lorenzo Chubb, Charles E. Koon and Franklin McNitt of the Township of Sparta and Chester in the Counties of Kent and Ottawa, Michigan for forming a Burying Ground Company according to the laws of the State of Michigan. Therefore I do hereby direct you, C. E. Koon, to post up notices in at least two public places in the Village of Lisbon of a meeting to be held at the school house in said place on Monday, the twenty-sixth day of November in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-six at 7 o’clock P.M. for the purpose of electing officers, establishing bye-laws and transacting such other business as may become necessary for said company.
Alonzo S. Hildreth
Justice of the Peace for Kent County
Dated – Lisbon, November 12th, 1866
The above is a true copy of the original warrant – A. B. Frost, Sec.
Coppy (sp.) of Application to a Justice to order some person to post notices for meeting to form company.
Lisbon – November 12, 1866
We the undersigned inhabitants of Sparta and Chester desire to form a company for the purpose of purchasing and holding a piece of land for a burying ground in compliance with the laws of this State. Therefore we request you, Alonzo Hildreth, Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Kent, to order one of the persons whose names are hereunto annexed to post up notices according to law for holding the first meeting.
Lorenzo Chubb
Charles E. Koon
Franklin Mc Nitt
The above is a true coppy (sic) of the original application – A. B. Frost, Sec. (1866)
Meeting organized by calling Sylvanus Atherton to the Chair and A. S. Hildreth was chosen Secretary.
A Motion was made and carried to proceed with the election of officers which resulted in the election of: C. E. Koon, President
R. Hawkins, Secretary
S. Atherton, Treasurer
J. Brooks, Sexton
Committee on Bye-Laws: F. Mc Nitt, R. Hawkins and L. Chubb
A Motion prevailed to name the company, "Lisbon Cemetery Company".
A Motion prevailed to purchase the following described land of William Frick for a burying ground – Commencing at the North quarter stake of Sec. 30, Township 9 North, of Range 12 West and running east 15 rods 9 ft and 6 inches, thence south 150 rods, 8 ft and 3 inches, thence west 15 rods, 9 ft and 6 inches, thence north 15 rods, 8 ft and 3 inches to place of beginning and containing 1 ½ acres of land the same more or less.
A Motion prevailed to adopt the following plan for laying out the ground – the lots to be 10 x 22 ft. with alleys 5 ft wide, 2 main avenues 12 ft with the alley next the road to be 7 ft wide, a strip off the east side 18 ft wide for Potters field.
On motion the meeting adjourned – Lisbon, November 26, 1866 – A. B. Frost, Sec.
December 17th, 1866 – Meeting was called by order of the President
On motion of A. - A. B. Frost in absence of the Sec., F. Mc Nitt, was chosen Sec. Protem.
Constitution and bye-laws presented and adopted. On motion, A. B. Frost was chosen to get our organization papers place on file in the County Clerk’s Office. On motion A. B. Frost was appointed to make two plats of the Cemetery to be kept according to law.
A motion prevailed to appropriate one hundred and fifty dollars to fence the cemetery. On motion C. E. Koon, A. B. Frost and F. McNitt be a committee to determine a plan and get up specifications for a cemetery fence. A motion prevailed that the fence be completed by the first day of June A.D. 1867. On motion an order of five dollars was drawn on the treasury to pay the surveyor for surveying the burial ground. On motion the meeting adjourned.
B.Frost,Sec.