The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-05-28
From the Grand River Times, Oct. l, SO.
Home Matters--0ur Early History.
[CoNTINUED.1

The first School House built at Grand
Haven was the building now occupied as
courtroom. 1t was erected in 1886,
by the Grand Haven Company, and the
first school assembled therein was under
the superintendent of Miss MARY A.
WHITE, now prominent teacher in
the Rockford, (Ill) Female Seminary.
Miss w. was, as before intimated, the
only teacher employed by our citizens un-
til the rising generation became so nu-
merous that it was found necessary to as
sociate others with her as assistants, and
to this school many of our prominent
young ladies and gentlemen look as their
alma mater, where was laid the founda-
tion Of an education that enables them
now to occupy an enviable position in the
social and business relations of life.
Col. AMOS NORTON arrived from To-
ronto, Canada, in 1887, and commenced
the erection of steam saw mill, at
point four miles from the mouth of Grand
River, known at present, as Nortonville.
A few months after, Messrs. BARBER q
MASON arrived and associated themselves
with Col. NORTON in the completion of
the enterprise. This mill with its appur-
tenances, was burned in the spring of
1854. A new and more commodious one
has since been erected on its site, rank
ing, 10 point of facilities enjoyed for the
manufacture of lumber, among the first
mills on Grand River.
These three gentlemen were residents
of Canada during the troubles of 1886
and 81, but the quiet stability of our
government connected with true princi-
pies of liberty and equality of rank,
and condition, enjoyed by its citizens, ir-
respective of wealth and royal blood, no
doubt favorably impressed their minds
with the superiority of our government
and institutions compared with those of
their mother country, and induced them
to emigrate hither. The spirit of enter
prise which has characterized their move
ments since their arrival has exerted a
very favorable influence on this portion of
the Grand River Valley, and Col. N, who
is still a resident, is widely known as one
Of our most hospitable, social, benevolent
and influential citizens.
Mr. BARBER persisted with the ill-fated
steamship Pacific, in December last, while
homeward bound from visit to his ma
tive England. His death is much regret
ed by all who enjoyed the pleasure of his
acquaintance.
Messrs. BARBER & Mason built, in
1910, the steam mill at Mill Point which
was burned few years ago upon the site
now occupied by the prince of Grand
River mills, owned by Mr.. B. at his death,
and now by his hers-at-law.
Mr.. BENZ. F. HOPKINS, father of the
Messrs. HOPKINS d BROTHERS, mill own
ers and residents at Mill Point, also ar
rived from Canada in 1887, and purchas-
ed or pre-empted lands at Eastmanvile,
where he resided at the time Of his death.
His sons are too we'll known throughout
the Grand River Valley to need any pass
ing enconiums.
Mr.. II. GRIFFIN arrived from Canada
about the same time with Mr.. H. and set
tied at the same place; but in 1914, hav-
ING been elected sheriff of Ottawa Coun-
ty, he removed to this place and subse-
.quontly engaged in the mercantile bust
ness, but after some reyerses Of fortune,
gave up that branch of business, and has
for several months past been dispensing
from an extensive and well selected stock
of drugs and medicines, health and pro-
longed life TO afflicted citizens.
Other early settlers in this vicinity will
receive attention in our next. Now for n
reminiscence: