Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-05-14

This entire region of country is settled, and
being settled, with the right kind Of people.
Go-a-head-a-tiveness is evidently the promi-
nent organ. Lansing, aside from the public
expenditures, exhibits spirit Of private en-
terprise TO be emulated. Dewitt, in Clinton
county, Charlotte, in Eaton county, and
Hastings, in Barry county, are all fiourlshing
shire towns, that have no occasion to be
ashamed of their Improvements, considering
the newness of the country and the much
territory vet unsettled. Grand Rapids the
great commercial mart of this region, is inn
proving and beautifying in a manner proba-
bly, unprecedented in Michigan. Lowell, at
the mouth Of Flat River, exhibits spirit of
enterprise not met with in northwestern
Michigan, except at st. Johns, in Clinton
county, which will doubtless eventually be
the shire town.. This humming bustling,
new village has sprung up right in the dense
forest, on the line of the Detroit and Milwau-
kee Railroad, within two years, I was told
about eighteen months and now has in full
operation two or more large steam mills
propellng saws, lath mill, shingle machines
turning lathes, DC. There are several we'll
filled stores land Office, and two or more
public houses, and mechanics of the various
crafts, who showed in their countenances
cheerfulness, and determined enterprise
Ionia, (shire town. is pleasant little village
nestled in under the hills, (north bank of
Grand River,) but does not exhibit the spirit
of advancement manifested by the village of
Lyons some ten miles above. This flourish
ing town appears destined by nature and
enterprise to become commercial mart for
large scope of surrounding country. About
ten miles northeast of Lyons, at the junction
of Fish Greek and Maple River is the flour
ishing village of Matherton; this would be
to me one of the inviting spots were | me-
chanic looking for a location. would be
GLAD if | could, and | did intend to speak in
dividually of many of our farmer friends and
their farms, but the length of this article for
bids. Permit me to say in conclusion, for
the benefit Of those wishing to obtain loca-
tions for homes, that having had some expe-
rience of western climate, and not an inferior
acquaintance with the western country to the
Wisconsin River, | can honestly recommend
this region to have as many q think more)
advantages, present and proscriptive, as any
part of the west; and | think it foolish to
spend time and money to move to western
Wisconsin or Iowa, and leave behind just as
good soil and climate, and more privileges
than can be had there. For the benefit o.
enquirers | will add that there is little or nc
government land in Barry, Eaton, Clinton
Gratiot, or Ionia counties, but there is plenty
of unsettled land in all those counties, al
from So to Sl2 per acre. There is some
Government land in Montcalm, the north tiel
of towns in Kent and some scattering pieces
to be had in Ottawa county, at IS cts. pc
acre to actual settlers But the desirable
Government lands just at present, are to bC
6 found in Newago, Mecosta, Oceana, anC
Mason counties. But procrastination is th'
thief of time; now is the time of choice t.
! become an actual settler by next July, at Z!
cts. per acre, or pay from So to SIS per acr
: one year or eighteen months hence. | hac
something to say of the Improvements il
! Newago county, but on account of the lengtl
E of this article, must pass it by; simply stat
!. !. ing there are two flourishing villages (viz.
: Newago and Croton, at both of which ther
are mills for Touring, and saving is done o
: large scale. But purpose to speak {
= this county at some future time.
- - n J. A. BALDWIN.
O ~