Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-09-17

opposed. 1t is the kind of subserviency
shown by DANIEL WEBSTER in his vote on
the Compromise Measures in defiance of the
rage Of the fanatics of Boston. A subservi-
ency to principle so perfect in every respect
that it never swerves hair from its course
at the bidding of popular feeling or prejudice;
that forms but does not follow the opinions
of men; that faithfully works for the up
holding of right and that had never yet in
all the long and eventful history of our party
yielded a position once assumed but has, in
defeat as we'll as triumph, looked steadily for
ward to the sober second thought of the peo-
pie for the rendition of a favorable verdict.
HOME MATTERs-OUR EARLY History.
All the mighty cities and innumerable towns
and villages of lesser note, that thickly dot
every portion Of this ponderous globe, had
once a beginning, and among them the vii
lage of Grand Haven, and on this wise
Rev. WIN. M. FERRY, while travelling for
his health, during the summer of 1884, hav-
ing resided for some years previously at Mack
inaw, as Missionary, had an interview with
ROBERT STUART, ESQ, and entered into an
arrangement with him to invest in land GER
tain funds, placed at his disposal, at any point
that Mr.. FERRY, in his wisdom might select,
and the proceeds arising therefrom should be
divided between the parties in certain stip-
ulated manner. Accordingly, in September,
of that year, this point having been selected
as the basis of future operations, Rev. VIM.
M. Ferry and N. H. White, Esq, who pur-
chased an interest in the enterprise, left
Massachusetts and came by way of Detroit
to Grand Haven. Previous to this tinse,
Hon. Xix Robinson, of Ada, had pre-empted
fractional quarter section of land, a portion
of which constitutes the present site of the
fourishing village of Grand Haven, and
erected a trading house nearly in front of the
spot now occupied by the Ottawa House, on
Water street, which he visited at stated peri
DDS during the year for the purpose of col
Letting flls of the Indians, making general
deposit of those obtained at this and other
points along the river, during the months OF
June and July, at Mackinaw, the head quar-
tiers of the American Fur Company, and re-
turning with the necessary supplies, parceled
them out to the different trading posts, as the
wants of the trade seemed to demand.
Robert Stuart, Esq, in connection
with N. Fl. and T. w. White, Esqrs.,
formed partnership with Mr.. Robinson, I'M
der the name of the Grand Haven Com
pany, whose primary object was the pur-
chase and sale of lands. Mr.. Robinson
admitted his partners to share of his
presumption. Other portions of land contig-
uous to the present village were in due time
purchased by the company, all being then
an unbroken wilderness for many mile
around.
AS soon as Mr.. Ferry, who from the COM
mencement acted as agent Of the company,
had caused a survey of the present site of the
village to be made, preparatory to the cree
ton of buildings, &C., he left for Mackinaw,
and returned in the month of November, in
a small schooner, with his family, accompan-
led by Mr.. p. G. Duvernay and family lat
present citizens), and large number of me-
chanics. Mr.. F. and family took up their
abode during that winter in Robinson's trad
ing house, and Immediately commenced the
erection of his present residence. Mr.. Du-
vernay built a log house near his present
dwelling. The timber for these two build
ings was obtained from the Indians and RATED
down from the bayou, above Ottawa Point
In the spring of 1885 Mr.. Nathan Throop
and family arrived from Canada, making
their descent from Grand Rapids in an Indi-
an canoe, 7. D. Gilbert, T. w. White, Miss
Mary A. White and .torty-two of the Robin
son family arrived in schooner from Macki-
nav. Most of these original, pioneer Robin
sons, with their numerous descendants are
now citizens of Grand River Valley. Miss
White Immediately commenced teaching a
school in one portion of Mr.. Ferry's dwelling,