Sebewa Recollector
Items of Genealogical Interest

Volume 46 Number 2
Transcribed by LaVonne I. Bennett


     LaVonne has received permission from Grayden Slowins to edit and submit Sebewa Recollector items of genealogical interest, from the beginning year of 1965 through current editions.


THE SEBEWA RECOLLECTOR – Historical Newsletter from Sebewa (Sebewa Township, Ionia County, MI)
Volume 46, Number 2, OCTOBER 2010 (Submitted with written permission of Editor Grayden D. SLOWINS):

Front page photo:  HOTEL DIVINE, PORTLAND, MICHIGAN

SURNAMES:

Avery, Maynard, Toan, Kidder, Rowe, Terry, Munger, Fuller, Howell, Barnard, Sandborn, Shepard,  Divine, Spitzley, Revels


“VOICES FROM THE PAST” & “THOUGHTS WHILE STROLLING ON KENT STREET”;
Gathered from back issues of PORTLAND REVIEW & OBSERVER: 

January 7, 1960:  John B. AVERY, 86, died at the White Convalescent Home, Nashville, MI, December 29.  A former Portland Township Supervisor, Mr. Avery came to Michigan at the age of 5 from Ontario, Canada.  In 1901 he was employed as a cooper for Portland Milling Co., later operated a delivery service for Richards Grocery, and served as a clerk there for over 30 years.  A longtime farmer on Looking Glass Avenue in Portland Township, he had served as Township Treasurer for two years and Supervisor for 13 years, and was a life member of Portland F&M Lodge.
   Surviving are the wife, Carrie, to whom he had been married 65 years; three daughters, Mrs. Beatrice Cotton, Mrs. Lula DURKEE and Mrs. Alice SMITH, all of Portland; three sons, Herbert of Vermontville, Forest of Sheridan and Frederick of Ionia; 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Henry BEIMERS has purchased of Norman LAY the building located west of Portland on Grand River Avenue just east of Vandevenne’s Market, and is moving his J. I. CASE agency and Norge appliance store from the Walter MARTIN property at the west village limits.  The building was built and used by HUVER Brothers some years ago as an automobile agency and garage.  It was later occupied by a truck-stop restaurant.  Clarence BROWNING Jr. will be in charge of the repair shop.  (In 2010 this location is the Portland school bus garage.)
   Movies coming to Sun Theatre:  Robert Mitchum & Julie London in The Wonderful Country, Randolf Scott in Ride Lonesome, James Steward in Anatomy of a Murder, Spencer Tracy in A Bad Day at Black Rock, Victor Mature in Timbukto, Gary Cooper in The Wreck of the Mary Deare, and Rock Hudson & Doris Day in Pillow Talk.
   At the R & O last week a new pencil sharpener was attached to the wall.  This would not be a special event, but for the story of the one it replaced.  The old one had hung in the hallway just outside Miss Carrie MARTIN’s classroom in the old Portland Public School.  We took it out of the burning building the night the school was destroyed.  It appeared the whole building would go, and it did, so we yanked the old sharpener off the wall and kept it as a souvenir.  That disastrous fire occurred October 16, 1918, and that sharpener has ground down a lot of pencils for the R & O since that time….first in the “loft” above Black’s (formerly Roy DAWDY’S) Store for 19 years, then moved to Wilhelm (Harness Shop) building, for 10 years, then to R & O’s own building (across from the Carnegie Library) built 12 years ago, for a total of 41 years.  It has seen its best day long since. 

January 7, 1920:  Mrs. Drua MAYNARD, widow of Umbra J. MAYNARD, died lat Saturday at the home of her brother, William (Bill) TOAN.  Six hours previous to her death, word came that another brother, Robert O. TOAN had died at Jackson.  (This explains how Bill TOAN came to own his “MAYNARD Place Farm” as discussed in a letter in the June Issue---it was his sister Drua who had married into the MAYNARD family and acquired property from her husband Umbra J. MAYNARD and he from his father John J. MAYNARD.) 

January 7, 1960:  Mrs. Anna KIDDER of Akron, OH, announces the engagement of her daughter, Frances E. KIDDER, to Richard R. MAUREN of Portland.  Saturday, April 23, 1960, has been selected as the date of the wedding, which will be solemnized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Akron. 

January 14, 1960:  We recently visited with Ben PROBASCO, who lives in Sebewa Twp. and last Fall returned from an auto trip to Washington State.  At Rawlins, WY, he saw a large mountain lion in an enclosure.  The animal was two years old, about eight feet long, and had been acquired as a mascot by Los Angeles Dodgers.  The lion was very tame and could be petted, like a large cat!  Readers may recall that some years ago we printed a picture of Ben and an African lion.  It was taken in Mexico, while Mr. & Mrs. PROBASCO were traveling there.
   Clarence BROWNING Jr. tells us of a holiday season trip to Houghton-Hancock in the U. P.  There was plenty of winter in that area, and he enjoyed seeing the new straight-up lift bridge operating on the lake channel (Portage to Superior) between the two cities.  His dad, Clarence BROWNING Sr., was 95 years old last week.
   Elon LAKIN, who for years has traveled for a Grand Rapids drug firm, recalls days when he worked in E. A. RICHARDS’ store here.  It opened at 6:00 AM, because a half-hour later Ramsey-Alton plant went to work, and the store did quite a business in that half hour.  Much of it was sale of chewing tobacco to men on way to work.  Plug was popular then, and the store had a “plug cutter” which cut slices from a large tobacco block.  That was in the days of the hand-cranked coffee grinder, too, and Lion brand coffee, Sapolio and Japanese Rose soap, etc.
   In early morning we meet Mr. & Mrs. George HOFFMAN going into Portland Carnegie Library.  George tells us they will look after the building.  Otto SCHRAMM gave up the job when he became caretaker at Maynard-Allen State Bank.
   Lewis ROWE Sr., 86, passed away at his home in Orange Township Monday evening.  Surviving are his wife, the former Olive E. WILSON, to whom he had been married for 65 years; a daughter, Mrs. Revah (Edwin) GALLOWAY; a son, Lewis E. ROWE Jr; six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild; and a sister, Mrs. Mary BADDER.  Services at LeValley Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. J. Lawrence WARD and Clinton GALLOWAY.
   Fire destroyed a barn on the HENGESBACH farm southwest of Westphalia, early Friday morning.  The blaze was the second to hit the farm, the first destroying the house last March. 

January 14, 1940:  Two men from Portland were among those accepted for assignment to CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) near Grand Haven recently.  They are Melbern A. BARBER and Leo R. YERGE.
   William TOAN of Maynard Place Farm was severely injured Sunday forenoon when a horse kicked him just above the knee on the left leg. 

January 21, 1960:  In days long ago, before invention of the mechanical refrigerator for homes, the Grand River had an important function in furnishing ice for home use during summer.  It was watched closely during January, and when the ice was thick enough, the annual harvest was cut and stored in ice houses that stood on banks of the river back of Harold STORZ home (on present-day Riverside Drive), and also on west bank of stream.  A January thaw before harvest sometimes meant no harvest, and then ice was shipped in by train, although that situation occurred very few times.
   Laban SMITH went to Redford Monday to attend funeral services for his aunt, Mrs. W. E. TERRY.  Mr. & Mrs. TERRY lived in Portland many years ago, where Mr. Wm. TERRY learned the printing trade on the REVIEW.  The couple later went to Redford, where Mr. TERRY for years conducted a large commercial printing business.  His death occurred several years ago.  Three children survive.  Mrs. Lela TERRY’S maiden name was CHALKER.  (As was Labe’s mothers’, Tressa (Mrs. George) SMITH). 

January 21, 1920:  There is no danger that Portland will suffer from an ice famine next summer.  In the storage house on the west side of the river are 900 tons of the nicest ice ever put up in Portland.
   A blaze, starting in the row of wooden stores on the east side of Kent Street Sunday afternoon, wrecked the building owned by A. SULPIZIO and occupied by SIMONS & SHAY as a restaurant.  The fire also burned the second story from a building owned by Francis BURGER.
   Superintendent STITT, Miss Mary BROWN, and Mrs. Lewis (Ruby) ADAMS of the school staff were taken sick Wednesday and school was closed, as many students were ill too.
   The Last Will & Testament of Mrs. Drua MAYNARD disposes of an estate valued at $70,000. 

January 21, 1900:  Landlord DIVINE (Monroe DIVINE 1851-1908, father of Chester M. DIVINE 1885-1945) has changed the name of the WELCH House to Hotel DIVINE.  (Eli T. WELCH was the original proprietor.) 

January 28, 1960:  At Westphalia Alfred & Hilary SNITGEN show us a copy of “Michigan School Reports for 1855-1856-1857”.  It was printed 103 years ago and recently found by Joseph BIERSTETEL.  Westphalia Township had six district schools in operation and school year was only two and one-half months.  There were 245 children enrolled and total teachers’ salaries amounted to $196.75.  Portland Township also had six district schools operating, with 351 enrolled, and a school year of five and one-half months.  Total teachers’ salaries were $681.95.
   The Village Commission received a request for transfer of the Tavern S. D. M. Liquor from Hotel DIVINE to Arthur KLOECKNER and Elmer NURENBERG.  The request states that the upper floors of the hotel are to be closed off, but the tavern will be operated. 

January 28, 1940:  It was 100 years ago in February that ownership of a half-section of land (320 acres) in Portland Township was filed with the Register of Deeds of Ionia County, by Washington IRVING, noted writer of his day.  (“The Legends of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle”.)
   William TOAN returned from Blodgett Hospital, Grand Rapids, where he underwent surgery on his knee, following a severe kick by a horse two weeks ago. 

January 28, 1920:  Superintendent A. C. STITT leaves for a new job at the University in Ann Arbor this week, and his successor, C. H. BRYAN, becomes Superintendent of Schools in Portland next Monday morning.
   Among those named in the Will of the late Mrs. Drua MAYNARD are:  William TOAN, who was willed the homestead and farm (MAYNARD Place Farm); Dr. John W. TOAN, Miss Mayme TOAN, Robert TOAN and Mrs. Jessie Jones, all relatives.

January 28, 1900:  David DORMAN has been granted an increase in his Civil War Pension.

February 4, 1960:  Mr. & Mrs. Charles KEUSCH of Portland have purchased the MILLARD General Store at Langston, MI, through KORTES Realty Agency.  The new owners took possession on Wednesday of this week.  Langston is located 10 miles north of Greenville on M-91.  The business is one of the oldest in the area. 

February 4, 1940:  Wright WAKELY has purchased from Dr. Lunette I. POWERS of Muskegon the building in which the ENGLAND and WAKELY Barber Shop and the Portland Dry Cleaners are located on the east side of Kent Street.
   Ira FULLER, one of Portland’s oldest and best known residents, died at his home on ELM Street Sunday at the age of 90. 

February 4, 1900:  Landlord DIVINE and R. St. CLAIR were in Grand Rapids last week, buying new fixtures for the Hotel DIVINE bar. 

February 11, 1940:  A quiet observance of their 60th wedding anniversary is planned by Mr. & Mrs. Charles VanHOUTEN of Portland.  (Formerly of GODDARD Road in Sebewa Township.)
   Mrs. E. M. CLARK fell down the cellar stairs at the home of her son, Jay CLARK, Friday, suffering serious though not permanent injuries.
   William G. MINER received word of the death at Coleman, MI, of Michael S. HOWELL, who enlisted for the Civil War while a resident of Portland in 1861. 

February 11, 1900:  The safe in the offices of GREEN & HORNING, Dentists, was cracked during the noon hour and $40 stolen.
   E. D. VERITY will move the machinery from his factory in Portland to Lake Odessa about April 1.  However he will not move his residence to the house he had negotiated to purchase there, but will remain a Portland resident.  

February 18, 1940:  William BLOUGH has been cutting ice from the pond at Portland Municipal Dam near his storage house off Lyons Road, with which to serve his customers next summer.  The ice there is about 15 inches thick.
   It was 63 years ago that Portland’s only bank robbery attempt was made at MAYNARD-ALLEN Bank, which had been doing business for less than two years.  Several attempts at blowing the vault attracted attention and the burglars fled. 

February 18, 1920:  Lines of sleighs, loaded with bags of wheat, extended from the Portland Milling Company’s plant almost to the railroad tracks across Looking Glass River Bridge on the north, and as far west as the village laundry, one day last week in one of the biggest rushes to get out from under the failing market that the farmers of this vicinity had ever seen. 

February 18, 1900:  Mrs. Frank FRIEND has been granted a Civil War widow’s pension of $12 per month. 

February 25, 1960:  Ernest BARNARD, 80, well known Orange Township farmer, died Sunday morning at Ionia County Memorial Hospital.  He was an active member and trustee of LeValley Methodist Church and had held offices in Farm Bureau.  Survivors include his wife, Bertha, to whom he was married March 16, 1910, two daughters, Mrs. Robert WOLVERTON of Orange Township and Mrs. Lawrence CROAL or Ionia Township; six grandchildren; three brothers, Oley of Elkhart, IN, Ray of Portland and Stanley of Carmel, CA.  Services were held last Wednesday at LeValley Methodist, with Rev. Heath T. GOODWIN officiating, burial was at Portland Cemetery.
   Few residents of the community celebrate their birthdays on February 29.  One who does is Mrs. Mabel (A.J.) BARTON.  She will be 80 on Monday, and has celebrated only 19 “birthdays”.  We would be interested to know of others in the area who observe birthdays on February 29.  (We published a fairly long list a few years ago and wonder who would be on that list today.)
   Mrs. Carrie K. (KLEINER) SANDBORN, 79, 401 James Street, passed away Sunday morning at Ionia County Memorial Hospital.  Surviving are her husband Ernest; four sons, George of Portland, Harold of Clare, Russell of Portland and Elon of Lansing; one daughter, Mrs. Marguerite FULLER of Mulliken; 23 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; a brother, Albert KLEINER of Lake George; a sister, Mrs. Marie BLASS of Baldwin.  Services were held Tuesday at NELLER Funeral Home, Rev. Robert TREAT officiating, burial in Portland Cemetery. 

March 17, 1960:  This week Tuesday, March 15, marked the 40th anniversary of Portland’s biggest flood.  Thousands of dollars worth of damage was incurred when the ice and water went on a rampage that Monday afternoon in 1920.  Damage estimated at today’s prices, would have been even more staggering.  Following is a graphic damage story from the Review’s files of 1920:
“It has been a slow process, emerging from the greatest flood Portland has ever known, and it will be many weeks before the last traces of the havoc have disappeared.  It is difficult to make an estimate of the loss, but a conservative figure would be $42,000.  The lower bridge (an iron structure) cost about $7000 when constructed in 1885 by the late S. S. RAMSEY, but could not be replaces today (1920) for less than $25,000.  Therefore the township is the largest loser in this flood.  (The bridge would probably cost 100 times that amount in 2010, although county, state and federal governments would kick in a big chunk for disaster relief.)
   Next comes Mrs. Ada BLANCHARD, owner of the building in which Chester S. BLANCHARD has his stock.  It may require $3,500 to replace the rear wall, plus $200 for Chester’s stock lost out the opening.  Lewis WILHELM estimates his loss at between $2,000 and $2,500, eighteen feet having been taken from the rear of the building.
   The Portland Milling Company has no way of arriving at its loss, but it is doubtful $750 will cover it.  C. S. BENJAMIN cannot buy the lumber to replace his buildings carried away for less than $1,000.  The village will have $2,000 in labor for cleanup costs.  The two telephone companies, in loss of poles, wires and labor to replace, have $750.
   Will C. STONE’S loss of stock may be $500.  George A. KNOX, owner of the store building in which the Stone stock is located, will have $100 in repairs.  Mrs. Herbert T. EMERY’S store building, home of City Bakery, has $100 repairs.  Carl D. BYWATER’S stock of wallpaper was hit by the water and his loss may be $500.  Wolverine Soap Company will lose $1,500 on stock and office furniture.  Terriff’s Perfect Washer Company has lost considerable lumber, plus motors and machinery were also damaged, probably $800 will cover loss. 

March 17, 1920:  Mrs. Sara RICE, Republican, and Mrs. Nora YOUNG, Democrat, will oppose each other for Treasurer in Portland Township.  (This Spring Election was apparently the first election in which women could vote and run for township office, although the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was not ratified by enough states until August 18, 1920.  Some State Constitutions had allowed it in state elections prior to that.)
   At Wednesday’s meeting of the Village Commission, Francis BURGER, who is soon to extend his garage through from Maple Street to Kent Street, was granted permission to install a gasoline pump next to the curb on Kent Street. 

March 17, 1900:  Apples are selling as high as 8 cents each in Portland, a great surprise to the citizen who usually stores away a few barrels, bought in the Fall at 50 cents to $1.00 per bushel. 

February 25, 1920:  Mrs. Vilona FULLER, (Mrs. William B.) mother of Ira FULLER, (grandmother of Francelia and others) was found dead in bed.  She was 92. 

March 10, 1960:  In the long ago, Portland almost landed several proposed new railroads, but only made it once, because most of the railroad projects failed to mature.  One of these, brought to our mind by an item in the 50-year-ago- column in Ionia Sentinel-Standard, was the Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids Electric Railroad.  Coming in from the east, the line was to run down town on Bridge Street, across river at upper bridge, and on west through town on Broad Street (West Bridge) Street and present Grand River Ave.  Fifty years ago interurban type electric lines were popular, but this one never even got started.
   In earlier days there had been the Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw (which never got farther than Woodbury,) the Coldwater, Marshall & Mackinaw (never completed,) and in 1918, the proposed Michigan Northern Railroad, which never got under way.  Portland was adequately served by the Detroit, Lansing & Muskegon Railroad, which became part of Pere Marquette and later Chesapeake & Ohio, which is still in operation but no longer has a branch to Portland.  Portland once had at least six passenger trains daily and good railway freight service.  Then came six passenger trains daily and good railway freight service.  Then came the day of motor buses and motor trucks.  Our location on US-16, now becoming I-96, quickly put us on fast motor lines.
   Comes maple syrup season again and while riding Sunday we see trees tapped along M-43 south of Grand Ledge.  Years ago there were numerous sugar bushes in the Portland area.  Several were quite large, with the GIBBS, TYLER, LINEBAUGH and PEABODY farms producing large quantities of syrup each year.  The LINEBAUGH bush in Orange, a family operation for more than half a century, with 1500 trees, will be operated again this year by Mrs. Webster E. LINEBAUGH and family.  Her father-in-law, Lafe (Lafayette) LINEBAUGH, operated it for years, and later her husband, W. E., whose death occurred a year ago. 

March 10, 1920:  Riley H. SANDBORN, son of Mr. & Mrs. Lon (Lawrence) SANDBORN of Orange Township and Miss Annis BENSCHOTER, of Sebewa Township, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John BENSCHOTER, were married at Sunfield.
   In the vault at Portland Cemetery are 28 bodies, five more than have ever been there at one time.  All have been placed there since January 1, and are awaiting burial under better weather conditions, when it will be practical to dig graves.
   The fire truck was used as a hearse Friday morning at the funeral of J. L. SHEPARD, who was one of the active members of the fire company and who often drove the truck.  (To his funeral?) 

April 7, 1940:  Mrs. Lulu M. DIVINE, D. D. S., of Portland, was among several postmaster nominations sent to the Senate Monday.  Dr. HORNING has served one term of four years and was acting postmaster for about six months before official appointment. 

April 14, 1920:  The trunk line route through Portland (US-16) will be by way of DeWitt Street, instead of Bridge Street, the hill on the latter being objectionable.
   Edwin L. GOODWIN is wrecking the south part of the old HINMAN and PERRIGO building, (blacksmith shop, wagon shop and foundry,) preparatory to putting a garage on the location.  (Approximately where WARD’S Garage is located in 2010.) 

April 21, 1960:  Rev. Heath T. GOODWIN, pastor of Ionia First Methodist Church, has been appointed Superintendent of the Grand Traverse District of the Methodist Church.  He will continue to serve the Ionia Church until the Annual Conference.  He is a nephew of Mrs. Ruby KLOTZ of Portland.  (And a cousin of Mrs. Harriet EVANS.) 

April 21, 1920:  A tank car loaded with gasoline was pulled into Portland Sunday morning by the Pere Marquette Railroad.  It was for Frank Fineis, local Standard Oil Agent, and broke a gasoline drought that had lasted for several days.  Twenty-five carloads of outgoing merchandise have been on various sidings in Portland on various sidings in Portland awaiting shipment.  The Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Company had nine carloads of chairs in their yards last week.  A few more days of strikes and embargoes would have put the manufacturers and other shippers in this town out of business. 

October 13, 1960:  Firemen disposed of remnants of the home just west of Powers Park playground a few evenings ago, a home which many of our citizens have pointed out to visitors in town.  It was the birthplace of Clarence Buddington KELLAND, small town boy from Portland, who made good in the city as a writer, and whose novels and magazine stories have earned him a fortune.  KELLAND was born there, but later his parents moved to (233 S.) Lincoln Street, where his youthful days were spent.  From Portland he went to Detroit, and there his career as a writer got under way.  (See RECOLLECTOR Vol. 31 – No. 6, June 1996, for Walt LOCKWOOD’S story on KELLAND.)
   John B. SPITZLEY, 82, died Sunday after only a few days at St. Lawrence Hospital and services were held at St. Mary’s in Westphalia on Wednesday.  Mr. SPITZLEY had been identified with many projects in Westphalia.  He was president of Westphalia State Bank for many years until it closed in 1950.  In earlier years he had operated an automobile business there, selling Reo cars and trucks.  It was during his tenure as Village President that a municipal electric plant was installed and Westphalia was one of the first small towns, (along with Portland, Ionia and Lyons,) to have electric service.  He served on the Clinton County Road Commission 1926-1948.  He was the first county road chairman when the commission was formed, and was credited with creating a county road network of major proportions.  Surviving are a brother, Joseph of Westphalia and a sister, Mrs. Theresa KOENIGSKNECT of Fowler. 

October 16, 1900:  Jacob REVELS (Portland barber) was notified last week of the death of his father, Absolem REVELS, who was born in slavery.  He was about 95 and lived at Owosso. 

March 9, 1961:  Many years ago four hotels did big business in Portland.  Frank Davenport’s furnace and tin shop west of the Nazarene Church on W. Bridge Street was once SOULES Hotel.  A tall one stood at the center of the east edge of Powers Park.  In its day it was known as the National Hotel.  It was last occupied by Wolverine Soap Company as factory and office, and was torn down when this firm moved out.
   For years WORDEN Hotel stood at the west end of the lower bridge.  (William TOAN Park is there today.)  It was torn down when this firm moved out.  For years WORDEN Hotel stood at the west end of the lower bridge.  (William TOAN Park is there today).  It was torn down in 1930s to make room for a wider US-16.  And of course the last and largest was Hotel Divine, first opened as the Welch House by Elias T. WELCH.
   About 1900 he sold to Monroe B. & Julia A. DIVINE, who changed the name to Hotel DIVINE and at their deaths in 1908 and 1905 respectively, were succeeded by their son Chester M. & Lulu M. DIVINE.  Lulu died in 1940 and Chester retired from the hotel business in 1944.
   (Until his death in 1948, he lived in a travel trailer which he parked at the south side of Alton Park when in Portland.  It was one of the first postwar units and was an amazing 28 feet long!  But people still called them by their prewar name as “House Cars”.)


 

FROM:  Grayden D. SLOWINS, Editor
       THE SEBEWA RECOLLECTOR
       3226 E. Musgrove Hwy.
       Lake Odessa, MI  48849-9528




Last update October 20, 2021