"Grand Ledge Remembered"

David S. Haueter is a Grand Ledge native, a life time member and former Board member of the Grand Ledge Area Historical Society. His column on local history appears regularly in the Grand Ledge Independent newspaper.

06/27/08

* * * * *
The first of the Shane’s to settle in Grand Ledge was D.D. Shane. He started Shane Jewelry, the family business that was so well known and later continued by Charles and Jerry Shane. The store opened in 1883 at 206 S. Bridge and in 1926 moved next door to 208 S. Bridge. The Shanes remained part of our business community for 106 years until 1999 when Jerry Shane retired. His great-uncle D.D. Shane was profiled in 1906:
Delbert D. Shane, jeweler and ophthalmologist, in Grand Ledge, and also
district manager for the Bell Telephone Company, is one of the representative
citizens and business men of his home city and is a son of George W. Shane., Mr. Shane was born in Leslie, Ingham county, Michigan, January 21, 1859, and he received his educational training in the public schools of the state. At the age of thirteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship at the jeweler's trade, in Charlotte, where he worked six years, becoming a skilled artisan in his line. He then went to Hastings, where he remained one year, after which he removed to Fowlerville, where he engaged in the jewelry business on his own account. Four years later he sold the business and thereafter was traveling salesman for a wholesale jewelry house until 1882 when he located in Grand Ledge.
On May 1, 1883 he opened a jewelry store and has built up a large and representative trade, having a well appointed and stocked establishment, and being held in unqualified esteem in both business and social circles in the community. He makes a specialty of his optical department in which he has the latest facilities and devices for the proper testing and correction of irregularities in vision, and he gives his personal attention to all cases, having taken a thorough course in ophthalmology and practical optical work. A number of years ago Mr. Shane became the promoter of an independent telephone company in this locality, securing seven hundred subscribers and installing an excellent plant, which has since merged into the control of the Bell Telephone Company, which purchased the plant and business, Mr. Shane being district manager for the company.

In Mr. Shane takes a lively interest in local affairs of a public nature. He has served six
years as a member of the board of education, one term as city clerk, two years
as a member of the board of aldermen, and in 1903 he was mayor of the city,
giving a most able and satisfactory administration. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In 1896 Mr. Shane was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Lyttle, who was born and reared in the Dominion of Canada. He has two children by a previous marriage, George and Louis.
* * * * *
Old Advertisement

Shane Jewelry Co.
Diamonds-Watches-Silverware-Watch  and Jewelry Repair-Gifts-Glassware
Phone 88. South Bridge
* * * * *

06/15/08

* * * * *
With the recent passing of Jerry Shane, I was reminded that I have not written about the Shane Family. The Shane’s were an important part of our community for over a century.
If you read carefully, you will notice that the jewelry business seems to be in their blood.
Let me first start with Jerry’s great-grandfather George W. Shane as he was profiled in 1906:
George W. Shane is one of the honored citizens of Grand Ledge and was a representative of Michigan as a soldier during the War of the Rebellion. He was born in Pennsylvania, May 30, 1833, and when he was a child his parents removed to Ohio, where his mother died when he was but ten years of age. His father, Peter Shane, was a millwright by trade, and passed the closing years of his life in Michigan.

George W. received very limited educational advantages, and soon after the death of his mother he began providing for his own maintenance. For seven years he worked at the trade of carriage-making, until he was twenty-two years of age, and thereafter he followed the carpenter's trade until he was thirty years old. On Christmas day of the year 1863, at Leslie, Michigan, Mr. Shane enlisted as a member of Battery C, First Michigan Light Artillery, with which he served until the close of the war, having taken part in a number of important engagements and having been with Sherman on the memorable march from Atlanta to the sea, while he also participated in the Grand Review, in the city of Washington. He received his honorable discharge, in Detroit, Michigan, June 22, 1865.

In 1888 he took up his residence in Grand Ledge, where he has since maintained his home. He has made his vocation by traveling and performing the trade of millwright, in connection with the building of dams and installing machinery in various plants, and in connection with this work he visited the Columbia River, in Oregon and Washington in 1892, and Tennessee in 1893.

On September 26, 1852, Mr. Shane was united in marriage to Miss Eunice DeLamater, who was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, February 17, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Shane have four children: Henry P. is a resident of Shiawassee County, where he is engaged in the jewelry business, and also holds the office of express agent and is identified with the telephone business. Delbert D. is their second son and operates a jewelry store and telephone business in Grand Ledge. Willard and Willis are twins, the former being a resident of Minnesota, where he conducts a general store and is also engaged in the jewelry business. Willis resides in Grand Ledge and is associated with his brother Delbert in the telephone business. Willard married Miss Annie Bradford, and they have two children, Millie and Rhea. Willis married Miss Minnie McCrumb, and they have three hildren: Lamoyne, Charles and Henry.
* * * * *
Old Advertisement

At Shane’s they are showing an exquisite line of Diamonds, Cut Glass, Sterling Silver, Fine Jewelry and Bric-a-Brac, come and see.

* * * * *

06/01/08

* * * * *
It is going to be hard for me to imagine the High School Choirs without Nancy Lange. With her retirement now eminent, I still remember when I first saw her long ago. Back in the mid 1970s, when I went to Neff Elementary, The Madrigal Singers came to perform for us. I can so clearly remember us all sitting on the floor “Indian style” in the gym and the Madrigals roaming around us and singing. It opened up a whole new world of music and song to me. The highlight of the show, and the one song I can remember, and even still sing, was “Dad’s taking us to the zoo tomorrow! (and we can stay all day)”

Years later when I entered Ninth Grade and went to Sawdon School, I again met Nancy Lange when I joined the Freshman Choir. On my first day, I couldn’t even find the choir room; it was beyond the cafeteria, tucked into a corner of the building. We had three guys in a choir of girls; needless to say we were vocally quite outnumbered. In those days, the early 1980s, we had five singing groups: Freshman Choir at Sawdon, then at the High School -Ladies Ensemble, Concert Choir, Madrigals Singers, and the Barbershop Quartet. I was lucky enough to be in Concert Choir and also later two years also in Madrigals.

Nancy Lange had us do many things in those years, we recorded an album, we performed Handel’s Messiah, performed five musicals, and we took a trip to Washington D.C. to perform at the National Cathedral. Madrigals were also often in demand to perform at events around the area. One time in particular, we had to learn special lyrics someone had written to the tune of “You picked a fine time to leave us, Lucille” by Kenny Rogers. It was to honor Lucille Belen, the long time Lansing City Councilwoman. The new lyrics were all about the ins and outs of Lansing politics at the time. I can only assume they were quite clever, they meant nothing to us. Unfortunately, Ms. Belen was enjoying herself so much at her party, I don’t think she ever heard of word of the song!

Looking back now, I was certainly lucky to be in choir those four years. The old choir room became a place of calm for me in the whirl of High School and I spent all my free time there. I certainly was not a great singer, by any means, but I think Mrs. Lange understood it was the fun and interaction I really needed. When it came time for her seniors to graduate, she had a long tradition of letting us sign one of the walls in the choir room. Just a way of saying “we were here”.  I don’t know how I would have gotten through High School without choir and Nancy Lange. I certainly wish her the best in her retirement.

* * * * *

05/19/08

* * * * *
The current exhibit at the Museum on transportation reminded me that in the early days several tiny car dealerships, often one man operations, sold various makes of early cars. The Hudson and The Overland were two of the brands sold here. However over the years Grand Ledge has had two main car dealerships.

The local Chevrolet dealership was founded in the mid 1920s as Fandel & Huhn Chevrolet. The dealership was located in a large building on West Jefferson next to the current Log Jam.   Leo Huhn soon purchased his partners share to become sole owner. Huhn Chevrolet became a family business. Eventually his sons Lyle and Leon took over the firm and in the early 1970s they moved the dealership to a lot on Saginaw Highway. Later Leo’s grandsons continued to run the operation until it was sold in the late 1970s and became Sundance Chevrolet. The dealership soon expanded and continues to thrive today.

The local Ford dealership began as a side business. In 1913 William Schavey bought a Farm Implements business at 303-305 N. Bridge Street. The Grand Ledge store was run by his son Archie. He also opened a branch of the business in Mulliken, this was run by his sons Leon and Clayton. Soon after buying the business Schavey began to sell gasoline, oil and coal as well as new Ford automobiles.

The dealership did well and in 1917 the Schavey Garage was built at 125 East Jefferson to provide service to cars the family was selling on Bridge Street. The Schavey Garage was located in what is today the entrance to the library parking lot, between the Super Mart and the Library building. The Schavey building later became the Comet Dairy Bar, an ice cream parlor. It burned in a memorable fire in 1955. In 1929 Archie became sole owner of the business and he soon added a gas station at N. Bridge and N. Clinton and also one in Potterville to his business holdings.

During the 1930s the Ford dealership on N. Bridge was sold to a Mr. Hunter. Hunter’s Ford Sales and Service continued until 1937 when it was sold to Maynard Moynahan. By the early 1940s the Maynard J. Moynahan Company ran two dealerships, one in Hastings and one in Grand Ledge. In 1944 they sold the Hastings branch.

In 1950 Moynahans sold the dealership to Bob Bryant, who moved here from Plymouth to run the business. Bryant Ford had its main business on North Bridge Street and would later open a Used Car lot at 265 South Clinton Street. Eventually the entire business was moved to the Clinton Street lot. The old site on N. Bridge was sold to the City and is now the parking lot on the corner of W. Main.
Bryant Ford continued until 1975 when the dealership was sold to Keith Boice and moved to a new lot on Saginaw Highway and was renamed Grand Ledge Ford. The old location on S. Clinton became Kempf’s Auto Service. After 95 years of selling Fords the dealership is still doing well today.

* * * * *

05/04/08

* * * * *
In the past as I read local history, I was vaguely aware that the topography of the area of the Log Jam parking lot had changed over the years.  It was only recently however as I was looking at old photographs that I noticed how great a difference it was.

Early pioneer accounts describe a spring-fed pond in this area with a stream running down to the river. Over the centuries the stream had created a deep ravine that must have exposed clay and shale deposits. Native Americans made use of these in their pottery. Early settlers noted the presence of an abandoned Indian “ash-kiln” in the middle of this block.

Photos from the Cement Bridge construction of 1910 show a deep gully running down the middle of the block from Jefferson Street all the way to the River. Indeed both Jefferson and River Streets had road beds built high above the gully that run under them. We can still see the remains today, as the Masonic Temple foundations sit far below the level of River Street. In 1910 several brick buildings sat across the street from where the Temple is today. Used as Carriage and Livery Shops, these also had foundations below street level. By 1910 the pond had been filled in and the former stream bed was home to barns and livestock. The ravine was so deep that only the barn roofs could be seen from Jefferson Street.

During the next decade the barns were removed and the gulf was filled in. Once the land was level with Jefferson Street, Maurer Dairy was built right on top of the old ravine. This is The Log Jam building today. Next to it was built the Fandel & Huhn Chevrolet dealership. Creating a level building site along Jefferson resulted in an area far above River Street. Many will still remember the black-topped banks that ran along River Street that held back this fill dirt.

Over the years the land was slowly turned over to parking. For many years, Dr Mowrey’s home at the corner of Harrison and Jefferson was the last remaining house of the four homes that once stood on this block. For over fifty years, beginning in the 1870s, the corner of Harrison and River was home to restaurants. A car wash sat on the same corner for over forty years until recently when the block underwent changes again. The City re-graded the lot to match the surrounding streets and remove the embankments along River Street.

* * * * *
Old Advertisement:
Dunton Grocery –groceries & general merchandise. Ice cream-pop-candy-tobacco-school supplies.
Lamson Street  phone #714
* * * * *

04/20/08

* * * * *
We hear much discussion today about immigration and the debate over requiring the English language. It reminds me of a story from my own family.  The Haueters came to Michigan from Switzerland in 1882. My great-grandfather, Fred, was born that year in Washtenaw County. When he was still very young the family moved to Eagle Township, just north of Grand Ledge.

When it was time for Fred to attend school he was met with a shock I am sure. At home, the family had always only spoken in German.  That was their native language and the children were raised the same way. It was only when Fred began to go to school that he had to learn English. In time of course, English became his main language and by the time my grandfather Victor came along, only a few German words remained in daily use in the family.

* * * * *

As a follow up to my article on the Haggert-Wilson family, The A.J. Haggert home at the corner of Jefferson and Adams was also home for many years to Queena Fitzgerald, the widow of our own Governor Fitzgerald. I had a very nice email from the current owner of the home. As it happens, she was a close high school friend of my sisters. She has done much to love and restore the home.

During our email conversation I was able to provide her with more information. Not only is the house shown on the 1873 map of Grand Ledge, but it also appears on the 1860 map. During recent work on the home it was found that part of the building was constructed using sawn logs, some with the bark still attached. This helps put the date of the home even earlier. The first saw mill in town, located just below the Opera House, began producing sawn lumber in about 1850. However I am sure that logs were still being used for several more years. Also the parcels were laid out in the original plat of the town in 1853. The home certainly appears to date from around this time. Only a handful of homes remain from the 1850s and I hope all of them are as treasured and loved as this one has been.

* * * * *

Victorian Household Hints

When weighing molasses for cooking purposes, if the scale is well floured first, the syrup will run off quite smoothly, without leaving any stickiness behind.

A box filled with lime and placed on a shelf in the pantry and frequently renewed will absorb the damp and keep the air pure and dry.

* * * * *

04/12/08

* * * * *
The Presbyterian Chapel seems to be a little known part of our history, although it is mentioned from time to time. In about 1900 one historian summarized it this way: “The Presbyterians also organized a society at one time, and erected a chapel in which to hold services, but, after several years, discontinued their meetings in favor of the Congregationalists, who were first in the field.”

The Presbyterian Church formed early in Grand Ledge’s history. The date is not know, but we can surmise they began in the 1850s or early 1860s. We do know that the Congregationalist were the first to build a church on East Front Street in 1866. Within just a few years, the Presbyterian Chapel was constructed at approximately 218 West Scott. This was very early, and makes the Chapel the second house of worship in the area.

The 1873 map shows the Chapel on its large corner lot. The Methodists, previously, had been sharing the Congregational Church, using it at alternating times. However in the early 1870s, the Methodists began to share with the Presbyterians on Scott Street instead. Indeed, the Methodists were holding services here while their own brick church was constructed across the street at the corner of Scott and Harrison Streets. This original Church was replaced in 1911 with the current Methodist Church.

The Presbyterians seemed to have disbanded in the late 1870s. The chapel with its bell tower is shown on the 1881 map. It was during the 1880s that the empty chapel was used by the school district. The student population had outgrown the small White School on Lampson Street and was being housed in other buildings around town. In 1887 Union School was built and the chapel was no longer needed by the schools.

The property and chapel is then believed to have passed on to A.J. Haggert, local blacksmith and investor. After a few years, he in turn sold the property to his daughter Olive and her husband Dr. Wilson in 1892. The Wilsons built their own home on the empty corner lot. Later in the 1890s, they removed the chapel and constructed two rental houses on the site.

* * * * *
Old Advertisement:
Randolph Dry Cleaning –Our dry cleaning keeps new things new. Reasonable prices plus quality work. –“Everything Back ‘Cept the Dirt”.
North Street  call phone #291

* * * * *

04/05/08

Dr Walter E. Wilson, as I stated last week, was born in Birmingham, MI in 1859. He arrived in Grand Ledge in 1884, at the age of 25. This was during the height of the Resort Era and this excitement may have drawn the young man to our town. Just a year later, in August 1885 he purchased the drug store I discussed last week. During this time he met young Olive Haggert. She was the daughter of blacksmith A. J. Haggert.

Alexander Haggert was born in Ohio in 1835. He and his wife Caroline came to Grand Ledge in 1868 and setup a blacksmith shop and carriage factory on Jefferson Street. The couple’s home was at the corner of W. Jefferson and Adams Streets. Here they would raise their four children:  Olive, Georgia, Charles and Herbert.

Olive Haggert was just 18 years old when she married the young businessman Walter Wilson on November 10, 1886. They were married at her parent’s home and began married life in a set of rooms in the Berry Block downtown. The Berry Block, built by George N. Berry, stands at 212-214 S. Bridge.

By 1892, A.J. Haggert had purchased the lot at the corner of Bridge and River Streets. This area had formally been the site of one of the Mineral Bath Houses of Grand Ledge. In that year, Haggert built a new modern building on the corner. To help raise capital he partnered with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.). As part of the design of his new building, the third floor would be arranged for use as the Odd Fellow’s meeting hall. The Haggert Block (also called the I.O.O.F building) still stands today at 201-203 S. Bridge. You can still see the large iron sign at the top of the building.

Additional cash was raised that Spring when Haggert sold several lots to Olive and Walter, just up the block from his own home. Dr and Mrs Wilson chose the prominent corner of Adams and Scott streets for the site of their new home. The fine Queen Anne house was built in the English Aesthetic style, so popular at the time. It emphasized the picturesque and natural themes. This can even been seen in the oak woodwork that features sunflowers and wheat stalks. A turn of the century addition included the wonderful wraparound porch. Just east of the house, on Scott Street, stood the former Presbyterian Chapel. This was later removed and Dr Wilson built two rental homes on the site in 1899. The Wilson-Schavey family would remain in the home until the 1980s.

In May 1896 Dr Wilson was a witness in the Marvin vs. Mudge trail. He had treated Mrs Marvin when she was thrown during the 1891 initial run of the rollercoaster on the island downtown. Wilson later served as Post Master from 1908 to 1913 and an office-holder in the Grand Ledge Clay Product Company.  Dr Wilson and his wife had no children, but did help raise a niece, Madeline Haggert Schavey.

* * * * *

03/30/08

I recently came across a wonderful old advertisement for T. Johnson & Son, druggists.
With some luck I was able to find some history of the enterprise.

Abraham DeGroff arrived in Grand Ledge in the 1850s from New York. He settled on an 80-acre farm that ran all along what is now Degroff Street. The farm included all the land between Degroff and Jenne Streets, from Kent Street all the way to Saginaw Road. Like many farmers of his time, he lived in house in town. In about 1857 he built a Greek Revival home at 302 E. Jefferson. (readers of this column will notice this home keeps showing up in the history of our town. This fashionable address has been the home to several prominent families.)

Abraham DeGroff was also a physician. Dr. DeGroff built a store right next to his home on E. Jefferson. From this building he conducted his medical practice as well as operated a drug store. In the early 1860s Dr. DeGroff purchased a lot in the 300 block of S. Bridge Street and had his office building moved to that site.

In the late 1860s, Dr. DeGroff sold his business to Truman Johnson, also a New York native. Truman Johnson lived in a fine home on E. Front Street. In years to come, his son Calvin would join him in the business. Although the business was called a drug store, we see from his advertisement that his stock of wares went far beyond simple prescriptions.

Truman Johnson retied in 1885 and sold his business to Walter E. Wilson, a 26 year old from Birmingham, Mi. His special interest was in physician’s prescriptions, and Wilson’s Prescription Drug Store was able to double that line of his business in the first year. We must remember that prescriptions were not “filled” in those days. Rather, the druggist would compound the raw chemicals and produce each pill himself by hand to the physician’s specific instructions. Wilson continued with the other items Truman had sold as well and by June of 1886 he moved to a larger store to handle all his business. Working with physicians was a good fit for Wilson, and in about 1890 he sold his business and went to the Detroit Collage of Medicine, returning to Grand Ledge as Dr. Walter E. Wilson.

* * * * *
Old Advertisement of 1882
* * * * *

T. Johnson and Son, Grand Ledge, Mich
Dealers in Drugs, Medicines and Chemicals, Perfumery--
Soaps, Combs and Brushes, Trusses, Supports, Shoulder braces, Fancy and Toilet articles, Books and Stationary, Kerosene Oil, Lamps and Chimneys,
--Grass and Garden seeds--
Glass, Putty, Paints, Oils, Varnishes and Dye Stuffs
--Pure Wines and Liquor for Medicinal Purposes--
Patient Medicines etc, Family Medicines and Physicians Prescriptions accurately compounded at all hours

Goods selected with care and warranted as represented.
South Bridge Street, Grand Ledge

* * * * *

03/16/08

It was back in 1911 when a group of local literary women formed the Ladies Library Association. The Ladies opened a reading room upstairs in the newly built Alexander Block. The Alexander Block stood where the drive-through of the National City Bank is today on E. Jefferson St. It was a fashionable building holding offices of several physicians and attorneys.

The Association soon outgrew this small room and in 1912 they moved to W. River St into a larger room in the City Municipal Water Works building. The Water Works was located on the site where the Masonic Temple is today. The 1890’s building housed city offices when there was not room in City Hall as well as a water pumping station. The City Council offered to furnish the room as well as pay for the heat and lights. In time a second room was also made available as they expanded their services.

George N. Berry, who owned the Loan and Deposit Bank downtown, was a very community-minded man. His fine Victorian home stood at the corner of Taylor and E. Jefferson where our present City Hall is today. In about 1910 he donated land for the Trinity Episcopal Church across the street, and in about 1920 he donated the lot next to it for a new library building.

In 1927 a Library Board was elected, and a building campaign was underway. Finally in 1931 the new Library was dedicated on E. Jefferson St. The classical building was built using brick made at our own Grand Ledge Face Brick Company, site of our current Lincoln Brick Park. In years to come the Post Office and Catholic Church (now City Hall) would also be built using the lighter shades of the local brick to harmonize with the Library building. The building housed two reading rooms, the large one on the main floor and a smaller room in the basement. Both rooms featured working fireplaces.

The Library grew and within twenty years was in need of more room. In the 1950s longtime local postal employee Emily Shipman left a large endowment to the Library in her will for the purpose of expansion.  Local architect, William Kane, designed a large addition to tie into the basement of the original building and take advantage of the sloping lot. This addition, what we think of as the library today, was dedicated in 1961. The downstairs room of the original building had its floor raised several feet and the fireplace blocked off. The room was divided into storage area and reading room. The upstairs of the original building became a community meeting room for local clubs and for many years was used weekly for ballet classes.

The local library is now part of the Grand Ledge Area District Library, formed in 2000. This regional library serves Grand Ledge, Oneida Township, and portions of Riley, Watertown, Eagle and Westphalia Townships. They also have a second library located in Wacousta.

* * * * *

03/09/08

William H. Turner was born in 1809 in New York. About 1839 he married Sarah Ford who was born in 1818. Right after the marriage the couple left New York for Michigan. By 1840 they were living in Portland Township, Ionia County. Soon after, they moved to Danby Township settling on 110 acres along the Grand River in the northwest corner of Section 26. Turner Road and the old Turner Bridge ran adjacent to the homestead. William and Sarah had seven children: Christina, William, James C., Julia, Hiram, John, and James Junnis.  William H. died in 1885. Sara remained on the homestead farm; however she sold off 36 acres, reducing the farm to 74 acres. The farm later passed to Hiram and his wife Lottie Hagerman. Hiram’s daughter Nora Williams was my great-grandmother.

I came across an interesting story regarding William Turner:
“The Portland post-office was on the route between Detroit and Grand Rapids, and received mail once a week. In 1846 or thereabouts, stages succeeded the horseback mail-carrier, and then there was a daily mail. William R. Churchill was deputy-postmaster and in the early days of the post-office, when the mail receipts were little more than nothing, the opening of the mail-bag was a ceremony upon which all the villagers felt morally obligated to attend. At such times Churchill would call out the addresses on the letters as fast as he could run them over, and the eager expectants would step nimbly forward and take what was for them, provided always that the required two shillings were handy. This recalls the experience of William H. Turner, living three miles from the village. Being informed one day by a neighbor that there was a letter for him at the post-office, Turner cast about him for the necessary two shillings, but, neither having it himself nor being able to borrow it from others (for all hands were similarly out of cash), he threw a bushel of wheat over his back and trudged away to the village after his letter, concluding that of course the postmaster would take the bushel of wheat in payment of the postage. Much to his surprise, however, the postmaster would not think of taking anything but two shillings in coin; “for,” said he, “as much as I’d like to accommodate you, I couldn’t get anybody to give me money for the wheat; and it’s money I must have, and nothing else, when I settle with the Post Office Department.” Nor could Turner find anybody willing to give him anything but store-pay for his wheat, and so, much to his grief and disappointment, he left his letter in the post-office and carried his wheat home again, there to bide the time when by some manner of means he could raise two shillings in cash. It seems strange at this day that money was so hard to get then, but such was one of the many painful experiences of Michigan pioneers.”

* * * * *

02/24/08

As Grand Ledge searches for a new School Superintendent, it is interesting to look back at some of the previous holders of that office. I hope they can find someone to live up to our rich past.

Professor J. L. Wagner was a teacher and then Superintendent beginning in 1886. During his time Grand Ledge had two districts, one on the Northside and one on the Southside. During his tenure both districts built large brick schoolhouses and operated independent high schools.

Jonas Sawdon was our longest serving Superintendent. Mr. Sawdon began as a teacher in about 1904, and then became Principal in 1907. In 1910 he was elevated to Superintendent. Sawdon oversaw the building of a new High School in 1929. Jonas Sawdon spent much of his time in the schools and was known to all students and their families. The 1929 High School was later named Sawdon School in his honor. Mr. Sawdon was a valued member of our community and even his West Jefferson home was a well known local landmark. Jonas Sawdon retired in 1946 after 36 years of leadership.

Kenneth Beagle, who had worked for years under Mr. Sawdon, became the next Superintendent in 1946. During the 1950s, Ken Beagle oversaw the monumental task of consolidating over 30 small country school districts into one united district. This included new school building throughout the new district. Like his mentor, Jonas Sawdon, Beagle was a well known figure to his students and staff. Having worked in the district, he knew its functions and needs well. This trust and knowledge of the community help create the large regional district we now enjoy. It was soon after his retirement in 1973 that a new school was named Beagle Middle School in his honor.

Ronald Richmond served as Superintendent in the 1980s. I believe he is the first (and perhaps only) person to hold the job who was also a graduate of Grand Ledge High School.  No one has spent more years in the district, as student, as teacher, as administrator and as superintendent as Ron. I remember when he became Superintendent many in the community felt a great sense of relief that “one of our own” was now in the top job. Ron Richmond was certainly always well respected and well liked by the staff and community. Indeed, the Richmonds were “backyard neighbors” of mine growing up, and it has always been an honor to me that he was able to hand me my own graduation diploma in 1984.

As we see from the past, Superintendents were important and respected community figures. They had lived in the community and worked in the district. These were men who could be trusted to look after the needs of each child while still looking toward the future of the district. They were able to have long-term vision because not only did they have a history in the district, but it was expected they would remain in the job for many years.

* * * * *

02/10/08

The Nichols family were very early settlers of Eaton County. In the 1920’s Helen Nichols Caldwell told the story of her grandparents and uncle as they found a home in the forest:

In the spring of 1838, a party consisting of Richard Hughes, his wife, Charles Nichols (age 16), and Mr Chandler, had been following an Indian trail for several days. Just as the sun was sinking below the horizon, they came to a halt in the heart of this unbroken forest, and Hughes said they had reached home.

They had bought a tract of land, and had logs ready for a house, but the building was in the future. Mrs Hughes remembered she “clambered out of the wagon as quickly as possible, and seeing a brook a little way off, I took my little brass kettle out, filled it with water, and built up a fire and by the time father and the boys had the team taken care of, I had supper ready and a good supper it was too. After I had the dishes washed, I sat down on a log to watch the men get the camp fire ready. It was twilight, the frogs were beginning to croak, the whip-poor-wills to sing, and I began to feel a little homesick.” The camp was then introduced to their neighbors, the Indians. Four Indians dressed in blankets and with folded arms slowly inspected the camp before leaving again.

Mrs Hughes slept in the wagon while the men slept outside. She remembered “the first thing added to the noise of the frogs and whip-poor-wills was the hooting of the owls and then later the terrible howling of the wolves. We were surrounded with them, they seemed so near I felt as if they must be ready to spring upon me any moment. With the first ray of morning light the sounds grew fainter and farther and all was still.

Then began the morning song of the birds, the woods resounded with their music.”
She often said “you never heard the music birds can make, each tree and bush with filled with them, each singing their own song, yet there was no discord. I have never before or since heard such music as came to my ears in those early mornings. We don’t have now a days the birds we had then.” The nearest settlers were two miles away, but Mrs Hughes stay and help built the cabin and cook out in the open, then go visit anyone.

* * * * *
Old Advertisement
BICE & THOMAS for the best in Tasty Baking. If Harry and Howard bake it for you- ITS GOOD.
We deliver. Phone 65J
* * * * *

02/03/08

J. D. Summers was a well known politician and businessman as we see in part of his profile from the "Past and Present of Eaton county" of 1906:

Joseph D. Summers is distinctively one of the business men and influential citizens of Grand Ledge, and the city has not a more loyal and progressive citizen than is he. Mr. Summers is native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Ashland County, Ohio, July 4, 1844, and being a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Stine) Summers, who were numbered among the pioneers of Eaton Township, this county, whither they came from Ohio in 1853, and here they passed the remainder of their lives. J. D. Summers was about nine years of age at the time of his family’s arrival to Eaton County, and he was reared on the home farm, securing his educational training in the common schools of the place. For a number of years he continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits, and for a decade he was engaged in business in the city of Charlotte, then removing to Grand Ledge, the beautiful little city that has since been his home.

He took up his residence here in 1873 and thereafter operated a saw mill and conducted a general lumber business on Union Street until 1891. He then became one of the interested principals in the Grand Ledge Sewer Pipe Company, with which he was identified until 1900, when he again engaged in the lumber business. Becoming a member of the firm of Hall & Summers, they now control a most flourishing enterprise, handling lumber, lime, cement, sash, doors, blinds and general building materials. Mr. Summers is also president of the Grand Ledge Gas Company and has other local capitalistic interests.

Mr. Summers enlisted February, 1864, in the Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and served until the close of the war. He was with General Sherman on his march to the sea, and was in several engagements but came through without injury. He was once President of the village of Grand Ledge, before its incorporation as a city in years past. He has once again been elected to high office and is now serving his second consecutive term as mayor. His administration being progressive, discriminating and businesslike, so that all interests of the municipality are well safeguarded. He is also' a member of the board of supervisors of the county. He is the owner of one of the beautiful homes of the city; he constructed his fine modern residence at 520 East Jefferson street in 1875.

Mr. Summers has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Delaney, died in 1885, leaving no children. He later married Miss Augusta Chadwick, who was born and reared in Grand Ledge. She is the daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Russell) Chadwick, whose beautiful home stands at 301 East Jefferson street. They have two children, Walter and Florence.

* * * * *

01/27/08

Eagle Township was setting by Anthony Niles and Stephen Groger in 1831. Within just a few years there were enough settlers that churches began to be formed.

In the fall of 1835, Rev. Munett, a Methodist missionary visited the remote settlement in Eagle. He followed his circuit, which included a great extent of country, on foot, carrying a knapsack stored with a Bible, a hymn-book, and a few articles of clothing. With these he went from one settlement to another, making his rounds about once in five or six weeks. In the fall of 1835 he came to the log house of Anthony Niles. The two men announced religious services for the next Sabbath. These services, the first of the kind in Eagle, passed off well, and Eagle Township was then added to his circuit, so that he visited the settlement as regularly as possible.

In the spring of 1837, Rev. Bennett came to Eagle and organized the first church society. It was composed of Anthony Niles, John Benson and wife, Heman Thomas, and Valentine Cryderman and wife. Mr. Cryderman was appointed the class-leader. The class prospered for a little time, but was at length discontinued. In 1840, John Thomas, of the Baptist faith, came and held a series of meetings. These resulted in the formation of a Baptist Church. When it was organized several persons who had previously been members of that denomination, reunited with it. The names of the persons composing this class were Anthony Niles, John Benson and wife, Heman Thomas and wife, John B. Shear and wife. Anthony Niles was chosen deacon. About the same time the Methodist Church reorganized, with Oliver Doty as class-leader. The Baptist Church in Eagle was finally disbanded, its members uniting with the society in Grand Ledge which had been formed in 1851.

The Methodist class continued, and was the germ of the Methodist Church in Eagle. The meetings of this society were held for a number of years in the Thomas school, and then in the Jenison school-house. Its Methodist meeting-house was completed in 1876 and cost two thousand nine hundred and sixty dollars. It was dedicated by Rev. George B. The Free Methodist Church was organized at the schoolhouse in North Eagle in June, 1876. The church edifice of this society was built in 1879, and dedicated by C. W. Haines.

* * * * *

01/13/08

One of Grand Ledge’s natives went on to be a nationally known artist. John Hamilton Delaney Wareham was born Jan 27, 1871. The son of Hamilton Wareham and Julia Delaney, he was known as Dee Wareham all his life.

After graduating from high school in 1889, Dee enrolled in the Cincinnati Art Academy. In 1893 Dee, professionally known as John D. Wareham, joined the decorating department of Cincinnati’s famous Rookwood Pottery. Wareham was known for his artistic pottery decorations. Dee became director of the art department and later vice-president. In 1934 John D. Wareham became President of the Pottery, a position he held for seven years. He remained with the company until his death in 1954. Examples of his pottery are not only praised in this country, but can be found in European museums.

Wareham not only decorated Rookwood vases and Rookwood tiles. He was also an artist whose oil paintings featured many of the floral designs seen in his pottery. He worked as an interior designer and all around expert on artistic tastes. He created a well known mosaic mural in the Central Trust Bank. A flamboyant bachelor, he once spent a week’s salary on a fine silk handkerchief. He was considered one of the best dressed and most stylish men in Cincinnati. Many Cincinnati institutions consulted Dee before any repainting or redecorating work was done. His opinion counted!

Dee’s love for flowers extended beyond his pottery and paintings. He raised and hybridized Iris, and developed several new varieties. For many years he took charge of the floral arrangements and decorations for the dinners and parties of the Cincinnati Commercial Club.

At the age of 15 Dee moved with his family to 302 E. Jefferson. The house would be the home of the Wareham family for the next 67 years. After Julia Wareham died in 1910, the house passed to Dee and his brother Fred “Choppie”. Since Dee spent most of his time in Cincinnati, Fred and his family lived in the house, with occasional visits from Dee.  Fred worked at many of the local stores in downtown Grand Ledge.  He was a clerk for a time at the Puff Cigar Store, and in 1931 he went into business for himself in The Smoke Shop.

* * * * *

01/08/08

My column on Dr Robinson prompted some nice comments. One correction was that the doctors moved to Hartel Rd in 1970 instead of 1972.  I had an email was from the son of Genevieve Holmes Smith, a life-long resident of Grand Ledge.  She reminded me about his parents and sister.

In the 1920s and 30s Wayne and Pearl Robinson lived in a brick home at 400 Kent Street. In their home, Pearl ran a hospital for routine or minor illnesses. We might call it a nursing home today where patients could recover while getting good home care. Local physician, Dr Andrew Stanka oversaw care at the hospital.

Genevieve was a classmate of Stan’s sister Lorna and they would often walk home together. Lorna would help her mother care for the hospital’s patients. She remembers one incident.
  
Mrs Ethelyn Howe, a Sunday school teacher who lived on Spring Street, let Genevieve, Viola Avery and Lorna Robinson ride on the running boards of her car. Mrs Howe went around a corner, maybe a little too fast, and Lorna fell from the car. She laid in the street bleeding while the other two girls ran to a nearby house for help. Dr Payne was called for assistance. Lorna was treated and recovered, however Dr Stanka was upset that the girls had not called him for help.

Lorna Robinson went on to become a nurse at Sparrow’s Nursing School. She married Joseph Johnston in 1939. In 1941 the couple bought the home of Lorna’s great-grandmother at 514 East Jefferson were they began to raise their young family.

* * * * *
High School Senior Sleigh Ride of 1925

“The sleigh ride, known by some as “follow the sleigh”, was declared by some the best time they had in ’25. Twenty-five seniors and faculty assembled at the home of Ilo Smith to take a ride in a sleigh built for fifteen. A jolly ride was enjoyed by those lucky enough to ride. To keep up the spirit, yells were given and various songs were sung, the main air being: “so sang all of us”. Each took a dip in the snow bank, being pulled from the sleigh by husky farmers. After a dip in the snow, some were unable to keep up, so they were forced to walk the short distance of three miles. After arriving at the home of Ione Shepard’s, games were played until the pedestrians arrived. Stunts made up most of the entertainments of the evening, and several people were hurt falling from a broom stick and injuring their noses. After a visit to the dentist chair, some were relieved by having a tooth removed. After playing “Who do you love best?” we discovered “King Tut” was very popular among the faculty members. Lunch was served at twelve-o’clock. Turning down a ride in a sedan, many of the seniors walked home, while the rest rode in the sleigh, all arriving at the main four-corners at two-thirty a.m.”

* * * * *

More Articles