Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-03-12

OCEANA AND MASON CoUNTIEs.-It is a
fact, indisputably settled in the minds of those
acquainted with attending circumstances, that
there is no State in the Union that presents
greater inducements to the actual settler than
the Peninsular State, and that there is no
portion of that, already peopled, more wor-
thy of commentator in all respects-even
health included-than the Grand River Val
ley. Every indigenous fruit, vegetable and
grain, can be produced here in the greatest
perfection and abundance, with little labor.
Strangers arriving at Grand Haven, by
way of Grand Rapids and our river steamers,
after having visited other portions of the Val
ley, are almost ready to conclude, from ap-
pearances here presented, that this is the ex-
treme point of civilization, northward; that
the lofty hills opposite us form an efectual
barrier to any further efforts Of man to con-
vert the wilderness beyond into smiling fields,
teeming with the wealth of nature. But if
we do not err in Judgment, based upon data
derived from those most intimately acquain-
ted with its peculiar features, but few years
will elapse before the territory contiguous to
us, on the north, known as Oceana and Ma
son counties, will become, if possible, even
more attractive than the Grand River Valley.
The most valuable farming lands in Oce-
ana county, commence in the immediate Vi
cinity of White River and extend thence
north, to Pere Marquette River, in Mason
county, embracing section of about twenty
miles in width, from Lake Michigan, east
ward. The intermediate territory between
White River and this point, consists for the
most part Of immense pine plains, interspers-
ed, here and there, with portions of hard tim
bered land. Much excellent pine is found in
the immediate vicinity of Muskegon River.
Upon this stream are erected many extensive
mills, for the manufacture of lumber, large
quantities of which are annually transported
to Chicago and other markets. After reach
ing White River, the pine, for the most part,
disappears, except in the immediate vicinity
of the principal streams and near the lake
shore. Efficient mills for the manufacture of
lumber, are also in successful operation, near
the mouth of White River.
We are indebted to Mr.. HIRAM BEAN, sur
veyor, for the following valuable information
in relation to portion of the lands in Oceana
county, with every point of which he is famil-
iarly acquainted. He states that within the
last half year large proportion of the farm
ing lands in town thirteen north, range sew
enteen west, have been purchased, generally
by persons intending to become actual set
tiers. That portion of this town in the i'm
mediate vicinity of the lake, consists pricipal-
y of pine lands; further east, hard wood 8
timber of all kinds makes its appearance,
all, straight and beautiful in the extreme. $
The soil is black sand, intermixed with red I
sh loan, well watered with numerous peren- ,
nal streams. Town fourteen, in the same ,
ange, 10000 acres of which have been pur- +
hased within few months, consists of roll !
ng lands, gently undulating, resting for the
most part, on base of limestone, from whose
revices we'll forth innumerable rills of crys-
Al transparency that form thousands of lit
lie brooks and creeks that wend along in
heir serpentine course-New England like :.
Or many mile, through lands unsurpassed :
! every element of fertility. The soil and 7
mber is much the same in this as in the Il
,rmer town. In towns fifteen and sixteen, of "
he same range, about $500 acres have been
'cated in each; most Of it, since the LIST of b