NCMHC Newsletter October 2015

Quarterly Issue
October 2015
Newaygo County History
Newsletter of the Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center
the barn window
By Lucy Larcom
From The Newaygo Republican, November 14, 1875
2015 Season
Exhibit Gallery
and Research Room
Hours
April 1 - October 31
Wednesday - Saturday
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Local historian present
on Wednesdays
----Exhibit Gallery Closed
October 31 - March 31
Research Room
Available all winter
by appointment
----
Newaygo
Christmas Festival
Exhibit Gallery Open for
Friday’s Christmas Walk
December 4, 2015
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
The old barn window, John,
Do you remember it?
How just above it, on the beam,
The tame doves used to sit;
And how we watched the sunshine stream
Through motes and gossamer,
When down they fluttered, John,
With such a breezy whlrr?
I think the sunsets, John,
Are seldom now as red;
They used to linger like a crown
upon your auburn head,
From the high hay-loft looking down
To tell me of the nest
The white hen hid there, John-The whole brood’s handsomest!
Those times were pleasant, John,
When we were boy and girl,
Though modern young folks style them
“Slow”; Alack! A giddy whirl
The poor old world is spinning now,
To stop, who guesses when?
Be thankful with me, John,
That we were children then!
Have you forgotten, John,
That Wednesday afternoon
When the great doors were opened wide
And all the scents of June
Came in to greet us, side by side,
In the high-seated swing,
Where flocks of swallow, John,
Fanned us with startled wing?
Up to the barn-eaves, John,
We swung, two happy things,
At home and careless in the air
As if we both had wings;
The mountain sides lay far and fair
Beyond the blue stream’s shore;
I cried; “Swing higher, John!”
And fell upon the floor!
Next time I saw you, John,
You stood beside my bed;
Tears trembled in your clear boy-glance,
I thought that I was dead,
But felt my childish pulses dance
To be beside you still:
I lived to love you, John,
As to the end I will!
We swing no longer, John,
We sit at our own door
And watch the shadows on the hill,
The sunshine on the shore;
But the window in the barn is still
A magic glass to me,
For through its cobwebs, John,
Our childhood’s days I see!
Phone: 231-652-5003
newaygocountyhistory.org
[email protected]
The Newaygo County Museum and Heritage
Center is made possible by individual donations, sponsorships, and grants from the
Fremont Area Community Foundation, Gerber Foundation, Great Lakes Energy, and
The Arthur Christian Nelsen and Virginia
Faith Nelsen Fund of InFaith Community
Foundation.
Barn Raising Near Hesperia
Page 2
Newaygo County History
Florence was Town Pioneer
by Robert I. Thompson, Newaygo Historian
from the Fremont Times Indicator
Bicentennial Special - July 1, 1976
Mrs. Florence M. Quick was born about 1820 in a cabin
located on the banks of the South River in Canada. Her parents were French Canadians by the name of Melanson
Her mother died when Florence was two-years-old, and the
family then broke up. Her father brought Florence and her
brother Moses to Michigan, and they drifted to Detroit,
Monroe and then to Grand Rapids.
Florence was five and Moses seven when their father went
back to Canada for a visit and to
money which was sorely
They had been obtain
needed leaving the children alone
befriended by
He came back after a year’s sickIndians who
ness and found the children gone.
found them in
a shack near
starvation.
They had been befriended by Indians who found them in a shack
near starvation. The Indians fed
and took care of them for three
years until their father came and
returned them to a new mother in Detroit. It later developed
they were far happier with the Indians.
It wasn’t until later that Florence left Detroit to make a
home with a sister in Grand Haven. Later she moved to
Muskegon and went to work for the Martin Ryerson family
as a nurse maid.
She was just nicely settled when she received word from a
sister living near Croton that she was needed. She left
shortly after in a canoe paddled by Indians who also acted as
guides up the Muskegon River to Newaygo. They landed at
October 2015
John A. Brooks mill, the nearest habitation, to obtain food
and shelter. The next morning Mr. Brooks sent one of his
men with a team to drive Florence to her sister’s.
The teamster happened to be Thomas Quick, whom Florence married three months later. She was 15 and he was 33.
They were married by a Justice of the Peace from Grand
Rapids with the blessing of John Brooks. The happy couple
spent their honeymoon that winter in Brooks’ shack on the
banks of Brooks Creek near the mill.
In the spring they went to Muskegon, then by lumber barge
to Chicago. There they purchased household goods, returned to Newaygo that fall and set up housekeeping in their
own shanty down river from Brooks Creek.
Of her marriage she relates, “The happiest moments of my
life were the day I was married
to Thomas Quick and the day
Thomas Quick died.”
Mrs. Quick lived in the Village
of Newaygo about 50 years in a
one story plain dwelling on the
property now owned by William
Shutts. She had a crude kindly
way about her, and in some
ways she took care of the distressed and fed the hungry.
To many it was a mystery how
she managed to exist and do
these good things with no visible means for support. The
Newaygo Portland Cement
Company purchased her property in 1900 and gave her a pension to be paid monthly as long This image of Florence Quick
was sold as a post card in
as she lived. She died in 1909.
Newaygo.
Newaygo Republican
October 1, 1931
Newaygo To Remain
On Eastern Time
“Indications are that Newaygo will stay on fast or daylight
saving time during the coming winter, it being the general
concensus of opinion that with Grand Rapids and most of the
rest of the state abiding by the new law, a change back to
central time would be the cause of much confusion. No definite decision has been reached by the railroads in regard to
the matter, but it is likely that within a short time trains will
be operating on eastern time standards.”
“One local family had a lesson last Sunday which should
cause them to have plenty of respect for toadstools in the
future. Looking for bittersweet, they came across some
fine mushrooms, supposedly. They prepared a quantity
for dinner, throwing the scraps in the chicken yard. While
the “mushrooms” were cooking the woman of the house
stepped into the yard, only to find 23 chickens quite thoroughly dead. The dinner menu was changed, needless to
say.”
Quarterly Issue
Newaygo County History
Archaeology Exploration 2015
Page 3
type of items found, identified and provided information
about their use. Online resources were also utilized. Exhibit ideas were also discussed, setting the stage for Friday’s
work.
Amazing things happened on Friday. Dig items were chosen for display, research was completed, labels were made,
and exhibits were assembled. The day culminated an Archaeology Fair. Slides showing the showing the adventure
of the dig, and exhibits describing the interesting things
students had found and learned were shared with family and
friends.
On August 3rd, Huron-Manistee National Forest Service
archaeologist, Lora Rosling, met with nine young people
and eight adults at the pavilion behind the Hesperia Community Library for an introduction to archaeology. She discussed proper use of tools and correct procedures for scientific digging. Co-worker, Russell Snyder, explained a Forest Service archaeologist’s job.
After lunch, the group headed to the Booher Homestead on
Jefferson Road. Purchased in 1947 by Gerald and Chrystal
Booher, they lived and raised their family there. The buildings had all been razed in 1979. Visible now, were only the
foundations of the 1880 homestead where John Maynard
had originally built the home, barn, and outbuildings.
With a quick site orientation, five units were staked out and
opened. The dig commenced with one adult for every two
youngsters at a unit. A depth of 10 – 20 centimeters was
reached by the end of the day on Tuesday. A horse harness,
many square nails, a vintage key, ceramic ware, pottery
shards, small bones, and other items were found which gave
clues about farm life long ago. To identify each item and its
purpose on a 1900’s farm required thought, and with consideration each piece revealed more of what farm life for
the Booher’s may have been like.
Wednesday’s dig was followed by archaeology student,
Mariah Walzer’s presentation about her experience on recent dig in Western Canada and what she learned about the
early Native Americans. Later, the Booher ladies, relatives
of those who had lived on the farm, had great tales to tell as
they were interviewed by our junior archaeologists.
As the week ended, the soil was put back into each hole and
the grass was replaced. Research work on the artifacts continued at the Hesperia Library. Two men, familiar with the
Participants all agreed that
the archaeology project
was one of the most authentic
and
enjoyable
learning experiences they
had ever been involved in.
The were delighted with
the displays and with the
knowledge they had gained
during the week.
Our collaboration with the Hesperia Community Library
and the Huron-Manistee National Forest Service was a
unique opportunity to provide an education project that we
could never have done alone. We also deeply appreciate the
support of the Potter-Zimmerman family through the Dillan
Potter-Zimmerman Memorial Fund at the Fremont Area
Community Foundation which allowed us to purchase the
tools and supplies for the project.”
Now, off to start thinking about Archaeology 2016!
~ Luanne Nelson, Education Coordinator
Page 4
Newaygo County History
How Antiques Become Artifacts
Holly and Doug Harmon, of Fremont, sent us photos of an
old Kelvinator freezer, formerly used in White Cloud’s Sanitary Grocery, to see if we would accept it as an artifact, and
we thought you may be interested in finding out just how an
antique becomes an artifact.
Before items are added to the
permanent artifact collection,
every object must be accompanied by a “Donation Pending Review” form with the
Kelvinator Emblem
name of the legal owner, a
physical description of the item, and any historical information or anecdotes that may be known. Documentation and
objects are then assembled by the Artifact Collections Department to be considered monthly by our Artifact Review
Committee (ARC.)
The ARC is composed of five Newaygo County residents
serving three year staggered terms. When reviewing antiques
offered to the Museum and Heritage Center, their job is to
review a checklist of criteria, including:
 Is the item at least 25 years old?
 Is there a historical connection to the County or an adjacent township? Did the donor provide a story? Is it relevant without a story?
 Do we already have an item like it? If we do, is this one
in better condition?
 If the item is large and/or high maintenance do we have
the capacity to store and care for it?
The Artifact Review Committee decided to accept the
freezer for the permanent collection since it had been used
in White Cloud, we did not
already have one like it, and it
was in acceptable condition.
However, ARC members
wanted to know more about
its history.
October 2015
Research Room Historian,
Toni Rumsey, set about
investigating further, beginning with Holly who
recalled memories of hearing that her grandfather,
Carl Anderson, owned the
store which opened in
1938. The freezer, bought
a dozen years later, was
used in the store to keep
ice cream and frozen vegetables.
After he moved to White
Cloud, Carl married Lola
Branch Mudget, who was
a widow with two children. They later had two
children together. Their
son, and Holly’s father,
Jerry Mudget, worked at the store before school, sweeping
and setting out produce, and remembered that there had once
been a meat counter in the store. The store closed in 1958
and Anderson moved the family to Shelby to start a real estate business. The freezer went with them and finally ended
up with Holly.
Learning that the store had opened in 1938, we searched our
digital editions of the White Cloud Eagle, provided by a
grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation and
private donations, and found several items pertaining to the
store, including an article which revealed who had purchased
the store and Carl Anderson’s original role as manager.
We shared these finds with Holly and added the pertinent
information to the artifact database
record for the freezer.
Through a thoughtful donation by
the Harmons, the work of our Artifact Collection and Research Departments, and the wisdom of our
Artifact Review Committee, we
have acquired another slice of
Newaygo County history through
an artifact with a story to tell.
Visit the Research Room inside the Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center.
View old time newspapers in digital format, searchable by issue.
Ancestry.com and other resources are also available.
Open April 1 - October 31 on Wednesday - Saturday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. -- Open all winter by appointment.
Quarterly Issue
Newaygo County History
Fred Nay
Page 5
in caring for veteran graves in area cemeteries, and decorating them for Memorial Day rites.”
Civil War Veteran
“During a lifetime spanning 93 years Fred Nay, pioneer
farmer and Civil War veteran, distinguished himself in an
unusual manner...He was the last survivor of the Civil War in
this area, and the last commander of the local GAR (Grand
Army of the Republic) post.”
“...at the age of 17 he enlisted in the 152nd Indiana Regiment serving in the Civil
War. Three years after his
discharge, in 1868, he came
to Fremont, married Miss
Harriet Smithers, and settled
on a farm in Dayton Township.”
“...before he moved into
town in 1887 that Nay
owned and operated the first
thrashing machine in this locality. It was a horse powered
affair, the horse walking around the machine, turning gears
which drove the thrashing mechanism. Later he purchased a
steam driven thrasher.”
“When Fremont's first electric light generating plant was
built, during the 1890's, Nay took over duties as stationary
engineer. “
“In 1901 Nay was appointed the first rural mail carrier operating out of Fremont. In fact, he was one of the first two men
in the United States to inaugurate this service, the Rural Free
Delivery, as it came to be called. It was an experimental venture by the Post Office Department in Washington. It was an
arduous job, six days a week, and often Nay wouldn't get
home at night till ten or eleven o'clock. He made the rounds
of the rural roads for three years at a salary of $500 a year,
with no extra money for expenses. He h ad to furnish buggy
and team and feed.”
“As a charter member of the local Henry Dobson Post, Grand
Army of the Republic, and a lifelong member, Nay was actively interested in veteran affairs, being especially zealous
Civil War Veterans in White Cloud - year unknown
“For several years before his death in 1940, Nay was the lone
survivor of the Civil War in this community. As the last commander of the local GAR post, it was his sad duty to "close
the books" on this organization which for 60 yea rs had knit
together the "Boys in Blue," and to send the post records to
Lansing for safekeeping.”
“Fred Nay died April 5, 1940, and was buried in Maple
Grove Cemetery.”
The above is an excerpt from
“The History of Newaygo County,
Michigan, Civil War Veterans”
Compiled and edited by John Braden
and Terry Wantz in 1984, the softcover
book of 104 pages is filled with an enlightening history of Newaygo County’s
contribution to the Civil War. It also
contains a surprising number of photos
and a few maps.
Order one for your Civil War buff or
local history lover!
Send $20.00 (postage paid) to:
NCMHC, PO Box 361, Newaygo, MI 49337.
Be sure to include the name and address of the recipient.
Artifact Preservation Honor Roll
Thank you for assisting with the preservation of Newaygo County’s Artifacts
Choice One Bank
The Vac Shop
Auction Connection, Inc.
Bay Leaf Used and Rare Books
Country View Auctions
Osborne’s Gunsmithing
Ryan’s Card and Coin
This Old House Antiques and Resale
Sandy’s Harley-Davidson
E&M Design Solutions
Gerber Federal Credit Union
The Rudert Agency Insurance
Oosting, Burt, & Associates, LLP
Quality Tree of West Michigan
Rau Electric
Norm & Alicia Pedelty
David Huisjen
Page 6
Newaygo County History
Search Tips for Pennsylvania Ancestors

State Library of Pennsylvania,
Toni Rumsey
NCMHC Researcher/Archivist

Pennsylvania State Archives

Historical Society of Pennsylvania
So often, I hear people say their relatives came to Michigan
from Pennsylvania via Ohio. Following are tips from a class
I recently took from familytreeuniversity.com (“Best Pennsylvania Genealogy Research Strategies” with James M.
Beidler) that may assist you if you have traced your relatives
to Pennsylvania.
Record Groups distinctive to Pennsylvania – Where to
search:

Blair County Genealogical Society

Carnegie Library of Pennsylvania

National Archives – Mid Atlantic Region
October 2015

 Vital records laws in the 17th and 18th centuries were not
Humphreys Pennsylvania Birth Series by John Humphreys - In 15 Volumes by county (“Pennsylvania Births
of ____ County”). Covers 15 counties in the lower
southeast corner of colonial Pennsylvania. Contains
church records from over 200 congregations and Quaker
meetings.” Years typically end around 1800. Search
worldcat.org to find libraries to contact which hold this
book.
Familysearch.org - Offerings for Pennsylvania:
 All counties began recording marriage licenses in 1885.

Births and Christenings, 1709-1950
 Births and deaths started to be kept in counties between

County Marriages, 1885-1950

Eastern District Naturalization Indexes and Petitions for
Naturalization

Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906

Philadelphia City Death Certs., 1803-1915

Pittsburgh City Deaths, 1870-1905
enforced and families seldom took part. Your family
may have lived there, yet may not be recorded. The first
effective effort at recording births, marriages, and deaths
was 1852-1855. Not all families participated.
1893 and 1905.
 Official state birth and death records are kept 1906 to
present.
 Septennial Census, taken 1779-1863, lists head of
household and the number in the household.
 Estate records can be found in county Register of Wills.
 If you see a reference to the Orphan’s Court, that is the
Probate Court.
 Look at the county Record of Deeds.
 Tax Lists can be found on both county and state level.
 1798 U.S. Direct “Window” Tax.
 Colonial Oaths of Allegiance: All males, 16 years of
age and older, had to take an oath of allegiance to Great
Britain upon landing in the country.
Key Repositories to contact or visit:
Additional Michigan Death Certificates Available
This summer, the Archives of Michigan released Michigan
death certificate images from 1921-1939. Together with the
records from 1897-1920, you now have more tools to assist
in your family history research. Seeking Michigan provides
these records, at no cost, on their website http://
seekingmichigan.org
You will also find an index for death records for 1940-1952.
As privacy restrictions lift, each January another year of certificates will be available; for example, 1940 will be released
in January, 2016.
Records such as these provide helpful information, especially for the between-years of the census record data, and lessen prior costs of traveling to counties for records as well as
mailing and copy fees.

Probate Records, 1683-1994 for numerous records
found for the state
Ancestry.com - Offerings for Pennsylvania:

PA Death Certificates, 1906-1964

Land Warrants, 1733-1987

County birth / marriage / death registers, 1852-1854

Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801

Septennial Census, 1779-1863

PA and NJ, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985
Searching for your ancestors?
Remember to look at our helpful list of resources at:
newaygocountyhistory.org/research-room/research-links
If you would like research done for you, look here:
newaygocountyhistory.org/research-room/research-service
Of course, here’s a thought...
"Why waste your money looking up your family tree? Just
go into politics and your opponents will do it for you."
- Mark Twain
Quarterly Issue
Newaygo County History
Exhibit Support
New in 2015
At the end of October, when we close temporarily until the
Christmas Walk, we immediately begin making preparations for winter exhibit improvements. Last winter, while
working on the farm exhibit we contacted Nestle/Gerber
while doing some research.
This resulted in an opportunity to collaborate with them on
the creation of the Gerber exhibit, a perfect way to complete the farm exhibit since Gerber has played such a predominant role in the lives of the farmers and so many others
in and around Newaygo County. We’d like to thank the following for their assistance and support:
Farm & Gerber Exhibit Assistance
Nestlė Nutrition/Gerber
The Bull Family
Todd DeKryger
Clare Artgetsinger
Michelle Foley
Todd Bassett
Rau Electric
Stan VanSingel
Bee Equipped/Martin Yoder
Graphicus Signs & Designs
Perry DeKryger & Crew
Ron Murray
Grant Fettig
Tim Roeters
Don Eenigenburg
Coming in 2016...
Even though volunteers and staff build the exhibits, the cost
of materials, props, and photo enlargements do add up.
We’d like to thank the following businesses for their assistance with the Al Capone exhibit set to open April 1, 2016.
Al Capone Exhibit Assistance
37 North
Beaver Tree Service
Classy Cuts
Countryside Septic
Croton Bay Trading Post
Dr. Conrad
Dynamic Fitness
Elizabeth Hawlsey Boutique
Gala Gourmet Kitchen
Shoppe & Catering
Gina Webster, Massage
H.A. Guide Service
H&R Block
Indian River Tobacco
Instant Cash
Jerky’s Jerky
Jimmy’s Road House
LaBelle De La Riviere
Light House Insurance
Miller & Sheperd Law
Mary Jane’s Floral
Mellema Nursery
Muskegon River Fly Shop
Newaygo Auto Mall
Newaygo Floral
Newaygo Patio & Deck
Old Orchard, Sparta
Parsley’s Sport Shop
River Rat Tube
Riverstop Cafe
Riverstop Saloon
River Valley Antiques
River Valley Carpet
Shabby to Chic Hair
Boutique
Sherry Russell Photography
Shopko
Sportsman’s Bar
& Restaurant
Sui Generis
The Corner Closet
The Driftwood
The New Ewe Yarn Shop
The Sportsman’s Club
Timberland
Twisted Sister
Wisner Rents Canoes
Page 7
Newly Certified Newaygo County
Historical Farms in 2015
Centennial Farm
William & Jessie Dickinson Farm
Luce Avenue, Lincoln Township
Established 1914
Currently owned by George and Karen Dickinson
Sesquicentennial Farm
Richard Morrison
Maple Island Road, Sheridan Township
Established 1865
Currently owned by John Stuart & Kathleen Morrison
The Historical Society of Michigan’s Farm program recognizes farms of 10 acres or more that have been continuously
owned by the same family for at least 100 years and longer.
To obtain an information packet, you may contact the Michigan Historical Society at 517-324-1828 or visit their website at www.hsmichigan.org.
Turtle Island
It wasn’t stressed in our history books, but Columbus didn’t really “discover” an unpopulated land. The indigenous
people whom the explorers encountered upon their arrival
had already inhabited this continent known as Turtle Island
for thousands of years.
In our area the Odawa, the Ojibwa, and the Potawatomi,
who know themselves as the Anishanaabe, or “first people,” had developed a sustainable way of life with a rich
cultural heritage including art and trade.
They counted time by nights (24 hour intervals,) moons
(months,) and winters (years.) The moons each had a
name which described an event or season as listed here:
Bnaakwii giizis - ‘falling leaves moon’ - October
Baashkaakodin giizis - ‘freezing moon’ - November
Manidoo giizisoonhs - ‘little spirit moon’ - December
When you visit the Museum and Heritage Center and turn
the corner in the farm exhibit, you will see the display entitled “Marsh to Muck” where you can learn about what the
Anishanaabe did during the Mnoomni giizis ‘rice moon’
which roughly corresponds to August.
Miigwech (thank you) to our Anishanaabe friends for their
assistance with many things.
P.O. Box 361
Newaygo, MI 49337
Thank you for supporting our mission to collect, preserve, and share Newaygo County’s history!
37 North
Auction Connection., Bob Rottier
Bay Leaf Used & Rare Books
Beaver Tree Service
Bee Equipped, Marin Yoder
Choice One Bank
City of Newaygo
Classy Cuts
Countryside Septic
Country View Auctions & Resale
Cronk’s Ace Hardware
Croton Bay Trading Post
D&D Roofing 4G
Deter’s Heating & Cooling
Dr. Conrad
Dynamic Fitness
E & L Long Homes
Elizabeth Hawlsey Boutique
Freedom Chevrolet
Fremont Times-Indicator
Gala Gourmet Kitchen Shoppe & Catering
Gene’s Family Market, Croton & Grant
Gina Webster, Massage
Graphicus Signs and Designs
H.A. Guide Service
H&R Block
Hi-Lites
Independent Bank West Michigan
Indian River Tobacco
Instant Cash
Jerky’s Jerky
Jimmy’s Road House
LaBelle De La Riviere
Light House Insurance
Magic Touch Professional Cleaning
Mark Brock, Coldwell, Banker, Schmidt
Mark Miller, Miller & Shepherd Law
Mary Jane’s Floral
Mellema Nursery
Michigan Agricultural Commodities
Mike Saum State Farm, Inc.
Murphy and Caris
Murray Lumber
Muskegon River Fly Shop
Newaygo Auto Mall
Newaygo Family Dental
Newaygo Floral
Newaygo Patio & Deck
Nestle Nutrition/Gerber
Old Orchard
O’Reilly Auto Parts - Newaygo
Osborne’s Gunsmithing
Parsley’s Sport Shop
Rau Electric
River Rat Tube
Riverside Computer & Internet
Riverstop Cafe
Riverstop Saloon
River Valley Antiques
River Valley Carpet
Rocket Marketing/Exede Internet
Rosenberg True Value Hardware
Rudert Agency, Inc.
Ryan’s Card & Coin Shoppe
Sandy’s Harley-Davidson
Shabby to Chic Hair Boutique
Sherry Russell Photography
Shopko
Spectrum/Gerber
Sportsman’s Bar & Restaurant
Sui Generis
Terry’s Flooring & Finishing
The Corner Closet
The Driftwood
The New Ewe Yarn Shop
The Sportsman’s Club
The Vac Shop
This Old House Antiques & Resale
Timberland
Twisted Sister
Wisner Rents Canoes