Rapids Historical Society
Volume 33, number 4
January 2012
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society
Inside this issue: Cover Story: January program: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church: Active in 175 years of Grand Rapids History Letter from our President, page 2 New books in local history, page 3 GRPL program: History Detectives, pages 4 - 5 Member Focus; Nostalgic Spoon; Photo Sleuth, page 6 Happenings in History, page 7
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February Program: Jesse Buttrick Davis and “His Boys”: A History of the Early Grand Rapids Junior Chamber of Commerce Presented by Nan Schichtel February 9, 2012
St. Mark's Episcopal Church: Active in 175 years of Grand Rapids History January 12, 2012, 7:00 p.m. Off Site: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 134 Division Avenue North St. Mark’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1836, before Grand Rapids was a city. The history of St. Mark’s and the story of its members is linked with the story of Grand Rapids. Karen Hunter will share stories of how the building was born from the river and how some early members’ names live on in Grand Rapids in the form of parks, institutions, and street names. Called the church of mayors, St. Mark's members have been political and business leaders in Grand Rapids and in the nation. She will also share the church’s grand music history and its place in the community today. Some of the early members’ names that people will recognize include Wealthy Morrison, Richard Butterworth, David Kendall, and many more. Other stories include the ‘Disappearing Deacon,’ and his French pony, and why the first bell installed in the current building weighed 1,020 pounds.
St. Mark’s is located at 134 Division Avenue North. Limited parking is available in the lot just north of the building. Other parking, though not free, is located at the southwest corner of Pearl and Ionia Early photo of St. Mark’s Home. Date unknown. Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, Archives, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, MI
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Dear GRHS members, I find it hard to believe that it is already 2012. What I do know is that the Society has four more interesting programs to offer as well as our annual banquet in May, which includes a presentation on Ramona Park. The last program we offered, at the Jewish synagogue, and the January program, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, fit the mission of “2012 Year of Interfaith Understanding”. The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society, published six times annually. Established in 1894, the Grand Rapids Historical Society is dedicated to exploring the history of West Michigan; to discover its romance and tragedy, its heroes and scoundrels, its leaders and its ordinary citizens. The Society collects and preserves our heritage, passing it on to new generations through books, lectures, and education projects. Executive Committee: Gina Bivins, president Open, vice-president John Gelderloos, treasurer Board members: Alan Bennett Charles Bocskey Matthew Daley Thomas Dilley W.D. Frankforter, emeritus Tim Gleisner Marilyn Hamill Sharon Hanks Chris Kaupa Les Morant Gordon Olson, emeritus Nan Schichtel Wilhelm Seeger Jeff Sytsma
Gina Bivins GRHS President
The mission of the 2012 Year of Interfaith Understanding is to engage the community, campuses, and congregations of West Michigan in interfaith dialogue, learning, engagement, and ultimately, understanding.
I’m not sure that our hard working program committee knew of this designation when putting together this year’s offerings, but am glad we fit into this important initiative in Grand Rapids. Learning the history of a congregation can help in understanding. The Society is co-sponsoring one of the presentations at the 2nd Annual History Detectives Day at the Grand Rapids Public Library. Benjamin Boss, a librarian in the local history room, will talk about his research on Ray Barnes, best known for his caricatures of locals. In the early years they were printed in the Herald, and from the early ‘50s to the early ‘70s, in the Grand Rapids Press. Five other topics fill out this daylong event. Come for all or come for one, you won’t be disappointed. The newsletter has some new features. We hope you find them interesting. You can let a board member know at our programs, via email at grhs.local@gmail.com, or find us on facebook.
Jennifer Morrison, secretary John Morrison, editor Grand Rapids Historical Society c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Web site: www.grhistory.org Email: grhs.local@gmail.com
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From the Grand Rapids Herald, an ad promoting Ray Barnes. Courtesy of Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, Archives, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, MI. (No need to “Sh-h” about that!)
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
New Books in Local History A History of Grand Rapids City League Track & Field by David R. Wood with Steve Grinczel Foreword by Greg Meyer, 1983 Boston Marathon Champion David Wood has compiled a history for track & field enthusiasts. His painstaking research has taken three years and offers a comprehensive look at the sport from its local beginning in 1890 through 2008. Wood takes the reader year by year with photographs, stories, and statistics galore. Along the way the reader is introduced to characters such as: Ottawa Hill's Bob Brown who finally hit the 10-second mark for the 100-yard dash in 1951; Terry Barr, who held several records for the 440 and later went on to play in the NFL; Ottawa Hill's Cindy Tett who became the first female from the City League to win a state title with her 18' 5 ¾” long jump in 1976; and last but not least Houseman Field itself as it comes alive with the memories of all the students who competed on its hallowed grounds. David R. Wood is the head track & field coach and associate athletic director at Aquinas College. He is a regular visitor to the local history department of the Grand Rapids Public Library where he is working on his next book – on Catholic Central High School football. Wood's book is available at Literary Life, Gazelle Sports, Striders, and Aquinas College.
The Lake Line: The Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway by Carl Bajema, Dave Kindem, and Jim Budzynski This comprehensive 224-page book on the interurban line that ran from Grand Rapids to Grand Haven and Muskegon is the culmination of 25 years of research using newspaper accounts, interviews, court documents, company literature and historical images. The book is beautifully printed and includes 180 photographs, 27 maps, seven timetables and 27 advertisements. The book reconstructs the business history of the line, touches on some of the political battles, features the resort attractions, and even delves into rail accidents on the line. Carl Bajema is Professor Emeritus of Biology at GVSU. He retired in 2007 after teaching and doing research for 43 years. Dave Kindem became interested in the history of the area and an electric interurban railway that ran in western Michigan. Jim Budzynski is the curator of the Coopersville Historical Society Museum. The book is available at Schuler’s Books & Music or from: Central Electric Railfans' Association, Dept CB Box 503, Chicago, IL 60690. Email: books@cera-Chicago.org. Grand River Times
New in Grand River Times We’re bringing three new regular features to Grand River Times to build participation from Grand Rapids Historical Society (GRHS) members. Two of these new sections can be found on page 6: Member Focus highlighting a collection or project a GRHS member is working on, and The Nostalgic Spoon, taking a trip in time to recipes of Grand Rapids’ past. We want to hear from you, GRHS members, so that we can all learn about the hidden treasures in our midst. Lost and Find Use the Grand River Times to help search for that something you just can’t seem to find for your project. Looking for a photo? A piece of information? What is it you can’t find but you’re sure is out there? Let us know and we’ll share it. Maybe somebody in our membership has just what you’re looking for, or knows where it is. To participate in any of these features, email us at grhs.local@gmail.com.
Chris Kaupa found this plaque in the lobby of the Morton House. It reads, “On this very site in 1782 something happenned but we forgot what it was.” Whatever happened on the site of the Morton House in 1782, we assume it had something to do with the wilderness and perhaps the laws of nature. 3
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
2012 History Detectives: Sleuthing for Local History Saturday, January 21, 2012, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This day-long event is made up of six programs exploring various aspects of Grand Rapids history. Presented by area historians and members of historical and cultural organizations, topics are varied and reflect the unique heritage of West Michigan.
Rescued from the Attic: A 1918 Grand Rapids Treasure Trove 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Diana Barrett One week in 1918 a thousand Grand Rapids registrars interviewed 20,000 women, one half the city's adult female population. Trained by the Women's Committee of the Council of National Defense, they surveyed 118 skill categories that could aid the effort for WWI. Men's registration cards, including comparatively little information, have been saved; but data-rich women's cards have virtually disappeared all across the nation - except in the Grand Rapids Public Library. Local history sleuth Diana Barrett will recount the story of their rescue from decades of obscurity and elaborate the picture they provide Grand Rapids women in 1918 from all social levels and ethnicities. An energetic public historian and member of the Grand Rapids Historical Commission, Diana Barrett received a State Award in Communications from the Historical Society of Michigan in 2007 and the Albert Baxter Award from the Grand Rapids Historical Society in 2008. Her fascinating research often appears on the GRHC website's virtual archive in the form of photo essays and podcasts, but most recently has been published in Glance at the Past, which features glimpses of early Grand Rapids.
University, earned a doctorate from Oxford University, worked for the State Department and traveled around the world twice – before purchasing a ticket to travel into space. Closer to home, we can ask what legacy Merze Tate left to her undergraduate alma mater. She was an amazing woman. After graduating from Western Michigan University, award-winning writer Sonya Bernard Hollins worked for newspapers (Akron Beacon Journal, Kalamazoo Gazette, and the Battle Creek Inquirer) and wrote freelance for Michigan-based magazines and Black Enterprise. She is the author of Here I Stand: A Musical History of Battle Creek and currently edits and publishes the magazine Community Voices. Bernard Hollins has followed Merze Tate's trail for six years and in 2008 founded the Merze Tate Travel Club, which teaches girls about inspirational people, places and media. Sponsored by the Kutsche Office of Local History, GVSU Uncovering Ray: From House History to the Discovery of a Legendary Cartoonist 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Benjamin Boss
Sponsored by the Greater Grand Rapids Womens' History Council Merze Tate DECLASSIFIED 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. Sonya Bernard Hollins Why would anyone try to murder a Howard University history professor? Why did the U.S. State Department call one of its own diplomats “a public relations risk”? These are only two questions we can ask about Merze Tate, born an African American girl in 1905 in rural Michigan. She graduated first in her class from Western Michigan 4
Ray Barnes at work. Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids Public Library, History & Special Collections
What began as a simple house history soon turned into a discovery of a local cartoonist and his life's work of capturing Grand Rapids in ink. While digging through city directories for previous owners of his house, Benjamin Boss came across the name of Ray Barnes, manager of the Newspaper Engraving Company. Turns out that Mr. Barnes was a local celebrity. Barnes was best known for his cartoons “Razzing the Rapids” in The Grand Rapids Herald (1923 to 1952) and later “Over the Rapids” in The Grand Rapids Press (1953 to 1972). For nearly fifty years his caricatures portrayed local persons using bits of biography and light humor. Readers looked forward to seeing who would be “razzed” each Sunday. Continued on page 5 Grand River Times
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Continued from page 5
Benjamin Boss is a library assistant with the Grand Rapids Public Library. He has been with the Local History department for two years and with the library since 2007. Benjamin is currently working on his master's degree in Library Science through Wayne State University. Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Public Library and the Grand Rapids Historical Society Collective Biography: The Rewards of Prosopography 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Don Bryant Find out how prosopography helps enrich our view of a Grand Rapids micro-neighborhood called home by five former mayors and other city leaders. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, prosopography is “a collection of … studies focusing on the public careers and relationships of a group in a particular place and period; a collective biography.” The place: Cherry Street from College to Union. The period: the 1850s to the 1920s. The group: neighbors living in the homes, some of which still stand and some that are long gone. Don Bryant has lived in Heritage Hill for over thirty years. A life-long resident of Grand Rapids, avid genealogist and local historian, he is currently president of the Western Michigan Genealogical Society. Over the last several years, Don has studied the history of his immediate neighborhood. He has uncovered some unique and surprising connections. Sponsored by the Western Michigan Genealogical Society The Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Grand Rapids? 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Matthew L. Daley, Ph. D. The crowning event of the July 4th 1925 weekend was a 3,000-person march of the KKK starting at Bridge Street on the northwest side of the city. Unlike the famous “hooded” marches, the local parade was hoodless, declaring the marchers' identity and pride in membership. By revealing the faces of the members, the leadership hoped to bolster Michigan's struggling Klan chapter by removing the stigma surrounding the secret society. This 1920's Klan had only limited ties to the Reconstruction-era South. Its adversaries expanded beyond African Americans to include Catholics, Jews, immigrants, and the new popular culture. Matthew L. Daley is an Associate Professor of History at Grand Valley State University. His research focuses on urban history and social policy, Great Lakes maritime culture and technology, and the practice of public history. A long-term project involves tracing housing policies in
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Detroit and Grand Rapids during the Great Depression. He is also editor of the Grand Rapids Historical Society’s magazine Grand River Valley History. Dr. Daley received his Ph. D. from Bowling Green University in 2004 and his M.A. From Wayne State University in 2000. Co-sponsored by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Grand Rapids Public Museum Invaluable Services: Special Scouts in the Civil War 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Gordon Olson As Union troops pushed south and opened the Mississippi River Valley all the way to New Orleans, loosely organized irregular units resisted occupation by sniping at Union vessels, smuggling goods and, in many cases, by raiding and stealing from Union sympathizers and Confederate families alike. One of a variety of tactics employed to counter these guerrilla fighters was the formation of Lt. Isaac N. Earl's Special Scouts in mid-1864. The Scouts captured nearly 200 prisoners and goods valued at $14 million. Olson's presentation will summarize the Scouts’ activities and assess their role in the Union's effort to control southern partisans, guerillas, and renegades. Gordon Olson served as Grand Rapids city historian from the position’s inception in 1978 until he retired in 2002. He has authored numerous books and articles about the city's history, produced live and videotaped programs, and collected historical materials for the Grand Rapids Public Library. He continues to pursue Grand Rapids history and longtime interests in the U.S. Civil War and baseball history. Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Civil War Roundtable
Lunch - Reserve ahead of time! 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. Boxed lunches are $7.00 and must be ordered in advance. Please call 616 988-5492 or email: rsvp@grpl.org by 5:00 p.m. on January 18 to reserve your lunch. Sandwich choices: turkey, ham, roast beef, or vegetarian. Included area fruit cup, pasta salad, individual condiment, and bottled water. Although lunches must be reserved in advance, cash payment must be made when the lunch is picked up on January 21. Attendees may choose to bring their own lunch as well. Please note the library cafe is not open on Saturdays. Lunches sponsored by the Cherry Deli; bottled water by Meijer.
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Member Focus Chuck Bocskey caught the bug for collecting political memorabilia when he worked on John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 1960. He became fascinated with pins and buttons, and has more than 300 of them stored in notebooks and frames in his office. His favorite is a handpainted porcelain pin for Cass for Governor - think very early Michigan history! That one, among his other more valuable pins, is stored in a safety deposit box. While pins are Chuck’s favorite, he collects anything political for local, state, and national elections and documents everything in his collection. He has two boxes of bumper stickers, a couple stacks of yard signs including a Truman sign from a time before yard signs were popular - as well as hats, mugs, and more. Sometimes Chuck has duplicates in his collections that he is willing to sell or trade. If you have something you think Bocskey might be interested in, or if you’re looking for a particular item, give him a call at 616 245-9845.
Chuck Bocskey with a portion of his collection. He has other collection interests as well, and has been involved with the Grand Rapids Historical Society for many years.
The Nostalgic Spoon Visiting Recipes from Restaurants of Grand Rapids’ Past
Red Lion's Hot Dog Sauce Ingredients: 1½ lb. hamburg; 2 onions (chopped); 1 tbsp. chili powder; ½ tsp. garlic powder; salt and pepper to taste; cinnamon to taste; 1 pkg. chili mix; 8 oz. tomato sauce; 1 cup beef broth + 1 can water. Brown hamburger, onions, chili powder, garlic powder and salt and pepper; drain. Add chili mix, tomato sauce, beef broth and water. Simmer, adding cinnamon a little at a time -- the more you add the hotter it gets. Submitted by Karen Kragt for A Taste of Sacred Heart, A collection of recipes by Sacred Heart Parish, Grand Rapids, MI 2007.
Grand Rapids Public Library Photo Sleuth Here is GRPL’s January Photo Sleuth, from the Robinson Studio Collection (#125), Commercial Series, Consumers Power. This was taken for a service award presentation on May 8, 1956. Three of the men became members of the Quarter Century Club. However, the name tags are unreadable. If you know who any of these men are, please email your information to kgillman@grpl.org, or call 616 988-5402, extension 5497. Each month the local history department of the Grand Rapids Public Library posts a different photo on a web page called Photo Sleuth to enlist the public’s help in identifying individuals in the photos. To find the photo on GRPL’s website, go to www.grpl.org and type “photo sleuth” in the search bar.
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Happening in History: January 2012 If you have history-related events you would like included in our calendar, please let us know at info@grhistory.org.
through MelCat, and surf grplpedia, the library’s wiki. Free and open to the public.
Education and Writing, Historical Summary of Real Life Experiences Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 5:30 p.m. University Club, 5/3 Building
Abraham Lincoln: From Obscurity to Greatness Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 7:30 p.m. Kuyper College, 3333 East Beltline NE
Program presented by Falinda Geerling, Ph.D., retired Professor of Writing from Spring Arbor University and Torch Club member. Membership not required. Visit torchclubgr.org for more information on cost and reservations. Genealogy Lock-In Friday, January 13, 2012, 6:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Come to the Local History and Special Collections department for a free after-hours program just for genealogists! Learn how to use the microfilm reader/ scanner/printer, save images, and take advantage of free copying and printing during the event. Use the time to search databases - we will have plenty of computers available or bring your own laptop and use the Library’s WiFi network. Bring your genealogy questions or Ancestry and Heritage Quest problems – volunteers will be on hand to assist. Network with other genealogists – you never know what you might find! Registration is required; visit www.grpl.org/register or call 988-5400. Sites & Sounds of the Civil War Saturday, January 14, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Grand Rapids Public Museum Tour the Thank God for Michigan! Stories from the Civil War exhibit to see and hear 3rd Michigan Regiment Reenactors, dancing, and live music. Enjoy presentations on a Civil War spy, Company K, and much more. And be sure to visit the Grand Rapids Historical Society table. Free with general admission.
Paul Bremer gives this talk for the Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table. Doors open at 6 p.m. More information at www.grcwrt.com. Adult Computer Class: Upgrading or Converting to Family Tree Maker Thursday, January 19, 2012, 6:45 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE This class will cover the essential elements and process for upgrading the Family Tree Maker software and the consideration that the user must grasp when their family data is reformatted. This class will be very helpful for those thinking about migrating to a different genealogical software. Free and open to the public. History Detectives Saturday, January 21, 2012, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE A day-long event made up of six programs exploring various aspects of Grand Rapids history. Presented by area historians and members of historical and cultural organizations, topics are varied and reflect the unique heritage of West Michigan. Topics include Rescued from the Attic: A 1918 Grand Rapids Treasure Trove; Merze Tate DECLASSIFIED; Uncovering Ray: From House History to the Discovery of a Legendary Cartoonist; The Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Grand Rapids?; Collective Biography: The Reward of Prosopography; and Invaluable Services: Special Scouts in the Civil War. All events are free and open to the public. See pages 4 and 5 of this newsletter for more details.
Adult Computer Class: Introduction to Library Resources Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 2:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Designed for those who already have a working knowledge of computers and some experience with using the mouse, this class explores the wide-variety of electronic resources that GRPL offers. Learn about everything from research databases to the Michigan Electronic Library (MeLCat) catalog. Find out how to search using GRPL’s Evergreen catalog and place holds, access books, request items Grand River Times
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Grand Rapids Historical Society, Inc.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 234
c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
January program: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church: Active in 175 years of Grand Rapids History
Inside this issue: Cover Story: January program: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church: Active in 175 years of Grand Rapids History
January 12, 7 p.m.
Letter from our President, page 2
Presented by Karen Hunter from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
New books in local history, page 3
Off-site at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 134 Division Avenue North Details inside!
GRPL program: History Detectives, pages 4 - 5 Member Focus; Nostalgic Spoon; Photo Sleuth, page 6 Happenings in History, page 7
For more information on Historical Society programs, visit www.grhistory.org
