KENT COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Grand Rapids being the county seat and the center of official business for Kent
county, historic lists of the principal county officers properly come in here.
They have been carefully gathered and arranged, as closely as possible to
correctness even in details; though the destruction of the county records, some
thirty years ago, has rendered the work rather difficult. This chapter will be
useful for reference, and also an aid to many in recalling to mind various
events and incidents connected with the names given of officers and years of
their terms of service.
SHERIFFS
|
NAME |
YEARS |
|
Ezra Reed |
1837-1838 |
|
Aaron Russell |
1839-1840 |
|
Harry Eaton |
1841-1842 |
|
Solomon Withey |
1843-1844 |
|
C. P. Babcock |
1845-1846 |
|
DeWitt Shoemaker |
1847-1848 |
|
Harvey K. Rose |
1849-1850 |
|
Leonard Snyder |
1851-1854 |
|
Daniel S. T. Weller |
1855-1856 |
|
Anson N. Norton |
1857-1860 |
|
Sluman S. Bailey |
1861-1864 |
|
William Thornton |
1865-1866 |
|
Sluman S. Bailey |
1867-1868 |
|
Jesse F. Wyckoff |
1869-1872 |
|
Isaac Haynes |
1873-1876 |
|
Freeling W. Peck |
1877-1880 |
|
Isaac F. Lamoreaux |
1881-1882 |
|
Lyman T. Kinney |
1883-1886 |
|
Loomis K. Bishop |
1887- |
COUNTY CLERKS
|
NAME |
YEARS |
|
Stephen Wilson |
1837-1838 |
|
Charles H. Taylor |
1839-1846 |
|
Samuel R. Sanford |
1847-1848 |
|
Reuben H. Smith |
1849-1854 |
|
Peter R. L. Peirce |
1855-1968 |
|
Daniel McNaughton |
1869-1872 |
|
Hobart H. Chipman |
1873-1876 |
|
Frederick S. Clark |
1877-1882 |
|
Orland H. Godwin |
1883-1886 |
|
Cornelius L. Harvey |
1887- |
PETER RANDOLPH LIVINGSTON PEIRCE was a prominent citizen of Grand Rapids for upward of a quarter of a century. He was born at Geneseo, New York, May 25, 1821, and was a son of Colonel John Peirce, who moved from Virginia to Western New York about the time of the War of 1812. From Geneseo, in 1836, Peter removed to Detroit, where for a time he read law, and thence in 1840 came to Grand Rapids. Here he again studied law in the office of George Martin (afterward Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court), meantime keeping a bookstore, and was one of the active members of the Grand Rapids Lyceum, the debating club of the period. In 1843 he removed to Cincinnati and engaged in mercantile trade. While there he became interested in temperance movements, and wrote a history of the Order of the Sons of Temperance in Ohio, of which 100,000 copies were published and circulated. He also contributed many articles to the newspapers of that city, and formed a habit of writing for the newspaper press, which he kept up through life; his productions in that line being always sprightly and readable as well as useful. From Cincinnati Mr. Peirce returned to Grand Rapids in 1850, and followed mercantile business some five years. He had the eye and the taste of an artist, with talent in architectural drawing. In each of the years 1853, 1854, 1855 he was chosen City Clerk, serving three terms. In 1854 he was elected Clerk of Kent County, and re-elected to the same office until he served seven consecutive terms, running through fourteen years. In that position he won universal commendation, and was called the Model County Clerk of the State. As an officer he was methodical, expert, prompt and exact in his records and in the details of the public business. He was chosen to the State Senate for the term of 1869-1870, and there his services were indefatigable and efficient, to the great benefit of the cause of education; he being the chairman of the Committee on Education and influential in procuring the passage of the Act abolishing the rate bill and making the common schools free; also successful in urging liberal appropriations for the State University. Mr. Peirce was elected Mayor of Grand Rapids in 1873 and also in each of the years 1875 and 1876. From about 1870 for some six years he was connected with the ??Land Department of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad Company, and compiled a historic and descriptive map of the country comprising its land grant, which was widely circulated, at home and in Europe. March 19, 1877, he was appointed Postmaster at Grand Rapids, which office he held at the time of his death. Through all his life Mr. Peirce was an active, industrious, public-spirited citizen, and in social circles remarkable for his cheerful, lively and happy disposition and mirthful mind, which made him a welcome guest at all gatherings. During the War for the Union he was active among the foremost in promoting enlistments, and generously alive in aiding needy families of the gallant men who went to the front, giving liberally of his own means in numerous instances. He was very popular with the soldiers and worked in their interests at all times. He was popular as a lecturer, and as a speaker at public gatherings, and it was said of him that for eighteen consecutive years he delivered an address at some Fourth of July celebration. His happy manner of spicing with wit and anecdote and humor his fervid patriotism, earnest appeal and instruction, always insured him a large and well pleased audience. In religious sentiment Mr. Peirce was an Episcopalian of liberal views; was a member of that denomination after 1843, and a vestryman of St. Mark’s Church in Grand Rapids for eighteen years. In its behalf he manifested a zealous interest, and managed many trusts with scrupulous fidelity. Politically, from its organizaion, he was an active, earnest and enthusiastic adherent of the Republican party. Mr. Peirce married, in May, 1843, Ellen E. Steele (daughter of Chester Steele of Hinesburgh, Vt.), who died in January, 1858; and again in April, 1859, Cora, daughter of Benjamin H. and Maria J. Mitchell of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who survives him and is yet a resident of Grand Rapids. In domestic life, his was a happy household. Mr. Peirce died at his home, November 12, 1878, leaving a widow, two sons and a daughter. Few in their lives had more or warmer friends than he, and few or none are more sincerely mourned when the death summons comes. He was a member of the Bar of Kent county, but never entered into general practice as an attorney. As a citizen and as a public officer, Peter R. L. Peirce was a man of spotless integrity. His life was one of influence and usefulness.
|
NAME |
YEARS |
|
Jacob Barns |
1837-1838 |
|
E. W. Barns |
1842, to fill vacancy |
|
Benjamin Smith |
1843-1844 |
|
George H. White |
1845-1846 |
|
John M. Fox |
1847-1852 |
|
Fred. W. Worden |
1853-1856 |
|
Leonidas S. Scranton |
1857-1860 |
|
John R. Stewart |
1861-1866 |
|
William G. Beckwith |
1867-1872 |
|
Simeon Hunt |
1873-1876 |
|
Loomis K. Bishop |
1877-1882 |
|
Henry F. McCormick |
1883-1888 |
|
Nathaniel Rice |
1889- |
COUNTY TREASURERS
|
NAMES |
YEARS |
|
Hiram Hinsdill |
1837-1838 |
|
Aaron Dikeman |
1839-1843 |
|
Sidney Smith |
1843-1844 |
|
James Davis |
1845-1848 |
|
Solomon O. Kingsbury |
1849-1852 |
|
Nelson Robinson |
1853-1856 |
|
Daniel C. McVean |
1857-1858 |
|
Thompson I. Daniels |
1859-1866 |
|
George Young, Jr. |
1867-1872 |
|
Henry Bremer |
1873-1876 |
|
John A. S. Verdier |
1877-1882 |
|
Andrew J. Stebbins |
1883-1886 |
|
Charles D. Stebbins |
1887-1888 |
|
Sherman T. Colson |
1889- |
ANDREW JACKSON STEBBINS was born in Madison county, New York, October 14, 1840. In October, 1846, he came to Michigan with his father, Gaius P. Stebbins, who settled in Sparta, Kent county, two miles south of Sparta village. Charles D. Stebbins now owns and lives on the farm first taken up by his father, on Section 26 in Sparta township. Andrew J. in youth attended the common school. When the War of the Rebellion came on, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-first Michigan Infantry, and went into the service; had charge of medical supplies at Hospitals No. 1 and No. 4, Nashville, Tennessee, and was hospital steward until the close of the war. After his return he worked on a farm two years, and then engaged in the lumber trade; for several years owning and operating mills on Section 1, Sparta, known as Stebbins’ Mills; also lumbered several years for William T. Powers. He then built an elevator at Sparta Center, and bought grain for some time. Afterward, in 1880, he went to Dakota and spent a year in Deadwood, lumbering there for W. T. Powers. Mr. Stebbins is mainly a self-educated man, but has always taken great interest in schools. At his mills in Sparta, after two years of hard work in that behalf, and several defeats, he succeeded in securing the organization of a school district formed of territory taken from the four towns of Sparta, Algoma, Tyrone and Solon; also in having a good school house built, and nicely furnished with patent seats and desks. While he lived there he managed to have at least nine months of school each year; often making personal contributions for the maintenance of good schools, and frequently giving presents to the small scholars for constant attendance and faithful work in their studies. For several years in Sparta he held the office of Justice of the Peace. In 1882 he was elected Treasurer of Kent county, since which time he has resided in Grand Rapids, and was re-elected in 1884, thus holding the office four years. In 1889 he was elected a member of the Common Council – Alderman from the Fourth Ward. Mr. Stebbins married, in 1866, Mary V. Gillam of Sparta. They have three children – Miss Elsie, born in 1869, teacher; Orson D., born in 1870, book-keeper, and Leo A. J., born in 1888. Politically, Mr. Stebbins is a Democrat. He was a charter member of Kent Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and High Priest therein until he removed to Grand Rapids. For many years he has owned a fine farm in Sparta, but never lived on it. At present he is engaged in the real estate and insurance business, in partnership with Charles A. Robinson.
COUNTY SURVEYORS
|
NAMES |
YEARS |
|
Charles Shepard |
1843 |
|
William Slawson |
1845-1846 |
|
Volney W. Caukin |
1847-1848 |
|
William Slawson |
1849-1852 |
|
James Dockeray |
1853-1854 |
|
Ezekiel Howell |
1855-1856 |
|
David R. Smith |
1857-1860 |
|
John F. Tinkham |
1861-1862 |
|
Edward L. Briggs |
1863-1866 |
|
Riley Smith |
1867-1868 |
|
Robert S. Jackson |
1869-1874 |
|
Dorr Skeels |
1875-1882 |
|
Homer A. Collar |
1883-1884 |
|
Emory W. Muenscher |
1885-1886 |
|
Elias C. Martin |
1887-1888 |
|
Dorr Skeels |
1889- |
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The office of County Commissioner was not an abiding one. The first election of members for that board was held in November, 1838. By an act approved February 10, 1842, the Legislature abolished the office, and established a Board of Supervisors instead. Those who served on the Kent county Board of Commissioners were: Robert Hilton, Rodney Robinson, Sylvester Granger, William B. Hawks, and William H. Withey.
The Board of Supervisors is the legislative body of the county, and has supervision of all its public affairs. Below are given the names and terms of service of these guardians of the public welfare, by towns and wards.
ADA TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Sidney Smith |
1838-1840 |
|
Rix Robinson |
1841 |
|
Norman Ackley |
1842 |
|
Sidney Smith |
1843 |
|
Rix Robinson |
1844 |
|
Amos Chase |
1845 |
|
Nelson Robinson |
1846-1852 |
|
Emory F. Strong |
Jan. to April, 1853 |
|
Gurden Chapel |
1853 |
|
John H. Withey |
1854-1856 |
|
Peter McLean |
1857-1858 |
|
Moses O. Swartwout |
1859 |
|
Peter McLean |
1860-1865 |
|
William H. Mekeel |
1866 |
|
Hiram A. Rhodes |
1867 |
|
Peter McLean |
1868-1869 |
|
John T. Headley |
1877 |
|
Peter McLean |
1878 |
|
John T. Headley |
1879-1880 |
|
Peter McLean |
1881 |
|
Walter S. Plumb |
1882-1884 |
|
John T. Headley |
1885-1886 |
|
E. B. Clements |
1887 |
|
John Headley |
1888 |
|
Edward B. Clements |
1889 |
ALGOMA TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Smith Lapham |
1849-1852 |
|
James Mosher |
1853 |
|
Smith Lapham |
1854 |
|
George H. White |
1855 |
|
Morgan Allen |
1856 |
|
Smith Lapham |
1857 |
|
James Mosher |
1858 |
|
William Thornton |
1859-1860 |
|
Morgan Allen |
1861-1864 |
|
Horatio N. Stinson |
1865-1866 |
|
Walter Chipman |
1867 |
|
Horatio N. Stinson |
1868-1876 |
|
Neal McMillan |
1877 |
|
Oscar House |
1878 |
|
John T. Gould |
1879-1880 |
|
Nathan Gould |
1881 |
|
John T. Gould |
1882-1889 |
ALPINE TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Edward Wheeler |
1847 |
|
William H. Withey |
1848-1850 |
|
Alonzo Brewer |
1851 |
|
Charles T. Hills |
1852 |
|
John B. Colton |
1853-1855 |
|
Reuben H. Smith |
1856 |
|
Lyman Murray |
1857 |
|
Reuben H. Smith |
1858 |
|
Lyman Murray |
1859-1865 |
|
Isaac Haynes |
1866-1872 |
|
Henry D. Wedge |
1873 |
|
Lyman Murray |
1874 |
|
Henry D. Wedge |
1875 |
|
Lyman Murray |
1876 |
|
Norton Fitch |
1877-1882 |
|
James Hill |
1883-1889 |
BOWNE TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Roswell F. Tyler |
1849-1852 |
|
A. C. Hill |
1853 |
|
Daniel C. McVean |
1854-1856 |
|
James H. Truax |
1857-1858 |
|
Luke Strickland |
1859-1861 |
|
Jared Miller |
1862 |
|
Luke Strickland |
1863-1864 |
|
James H. Truax |
1865-1867 |
|
Abner D. Thomas |
1868-1870 |
|
A. Lewis Coons |
1871-1872 |
|
Abner D. Thomas |
1873-1874 |
|
W. T. Remington |
1875 |
|
A. Lewis Coons |
1876 |
|
Abner D. Thomas |
1877-1879 |
|
David M. Skidmore |
1880 |
|
James C. Johnson |
1881-1885 |
|
Martin A. Holcomb |
1886 |
|
Peter J. Sinclair |
1887-1888 |
|
William E. Davis |
1889 |
BYRON TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Gideon H. Gordon |
1836 |
|
George W. Scranton |
1837 |
|
Julius C. Abel |
1838 |
|
Robert Howlett |
1839-1841 |
|
W. R. Godwin |
1842-1843 |
|
Eli P. Crossett |
1844 |
|
W. R. Godwin |
1845-1847 |
|
Elijah McKenney |
1848-1849 |
|
Jerry Boynton |
1850 |
|
James M. Pelton |
1851-1854 |
|
Amos B. Smith |
1855 |
|
James M. Pelton |
1855-1860 |
|
S. S. Towner |
1861 |
|
James M. Pelton |
1862-1863 |
|
Loyal Palmer |
1864-1866 |
|
William P. Whitney |
1867-1874 |
|
Samuel Tobey |
1875-1877 |
|
William P. Whitney |
1878 |
|
Samuel Tobey |
1879-1882 |
|
Byron McNeal |
1883-1887 |
|
James S. Toland |
1888 |
|
Moses Rosenberg |
1889 |
CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
John P. McNaughton |
1840-1841 |
|
Norman Foster |
1842-1843 |
|
Roswell F. Tyler, William Gibson |
1844 |
|
John A. Cornell |
1845 |
|
Justus G. Beach |
1846-1847 |
|
Reuben H. Smith |
1848 |
|
William H. Brown |
1849-1853 |
|
Lyman Gerould |
1854-1856 |
|
Zabin Williams |
1857 |
|
William H. Brown |
1858-1859 |
|
Warren S. Hale |
1860 |
|
William H. Brown |
1862-1862 |
|
William I. Wood |
1863-1864 |
|
Adam B. Sherk |
1865-1867 |
|
William I. Wood |
1868 |
|
Marcus Buell |
1869 |
|
Adam B. Sherk |
1870 |
|
Robert S. Jackson |
1871 |
|
William I. Wood |
1872 |
|
Martin Whitney |
1873-1876 |
|
Austin W. Hill |
1877 |
|
Marcus Buell |
1878 |
|
Sherman T. Colson |
1879-1888 |
|
Alfred W. Stow |
1889 |
CANNON TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Andrew Watson |
1846 |
|
Hugh E. McKee |
1847 |
|
Norman Ackley |
1848 |
|
James Dockeray |
1849-1850 |
|
Andrew Watson |
1851 |
|
Timothy E. Wetmore |
1852 |
|
James Dockeray |
1853-1854 |
|
Daniel C. Pratt |
1855 |
|
Benjamin Davies |
1856-1861 |
|
George W. Van Every |
1862 |
|
James Dockeray |
1863-1865 |
|
Asa P. Ferry |
1866-1870 |
|
James Dockeray |
1871-1875 |
|
Loomis K. Bishop |
1876 |
|
Albert W. Davis |
1877 |
|
Andrew J. Provin |
1878 |
|
William C. Young |
1879-1881 |
|
William S. Johnson |
1882-1886 |
|
Oscar House |
1887 |
|
William S. Johnson |
1888 |
|
Frank Ladner |
1889 |
CASCADE TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Peter Teeple |
1848-1849 |
|
Asa Denison |
1850 |
|
Frederick A. Marsh |
1851 |
|
Peter Teeple |
1852-1853 |
|
Asa Denison |
1854 |
|
Gideon H. Denison |
1855-1857 |
|
Peter Teeple |
1858 |
|
Gideon H. Denison |
1859 |
|
Edgar R. Johnson |
1860-1861 |
|
Horace Henshaw |
1862-1863 |
|
Edgar R. Johnson |
1864 |
|
Henry Holt |
1865 |
|
Henry C. Denison |
1866-1867 |
|
Alfred Stow |
1868 |
|
Edgar R. Johnson |
1869-1872 |
|
Horace Henshaw |
1873 |
|
Edgar R. Johnson |
1874-1877 |
|
Henry C. Denison |
1878 |
|
Edgar R. Johnson |
1879-1881 |
|
William C. Denison |
1882 |
|
George P. Stark |
1883-1884 |
|
Edgar R. Johnson |
1885 |
|
George P. Stark |
1886 |
|
Edgar R. Johnson |
1887 |
|
George P. Stark |
1888 |
|
John H. Withey |
1889 |
COURTLAND TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Philo Beers |
1839 |
|
Isaac Tower |
1842 |
|
Philo Beers |
1843-1844 |
|
John Austin |
1845-1846 |
|
Nelson Miles |
1847 |
|
Philo Beers |
1848-1849 |
|
Fred W. Worden |
1850 |
|
Horatio N. Stinson |
1851 |
|
Philo Beers |
1852 |
|
Harry H. Kingin |
1853 |
|
Asa P. Ferry |
1854-1855 |
|
Philo Beers |
1856 |
|
Isaac T. Worden |
1857 |
|
W. H. Myers |
1858 |
|
Jacob I. Stoner |
1859 |
|
Wheaton L. Hewitt |
1860 |
|
Calvin Thompson |
1861 |
|
William H. Myers |
1862-1866 |
|
Barton Johnson |
1867 |
|
William H. Myers |
1868-1877 |
|
Isaac M. Hunting |
1878 |
|
Charles M. Mann |
1879 |
|
Elias C. Brooks |
1880 |
|
Charles M. Mann |
1881 |
|
Fred. Stegman |
1882-1883 |
|
W. H. Myers |
1884 |
|
Simeon P. Peterson |
1885-1886 |
|
William F. Woodworth |
1887-1888 |
|
Charles H. Carlyle |
1889 |
GAINES TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Peter VanLew |
1848-1853 |
|
Alexander Clark |
1854-1855 |
|
Peter VanLew |
1856 |
|
Aaron Brewer |
1857-1860 |
|
Charles Kelly |
1861-1862 |
|
Aaron Brewer |
1863 |
|
Charles Kelly |
1864-1865 |
|
James M. Pelton |
1866 |
|
Charles Kelly |
1867 |
|
Henry L. Wise |
1868 |
|
James M. Pelton |
1869-1870 |
|
Aaron Brewer |
1871 |
|
William J. Hardy |
1872 |
|
Aaron Brewer |
1873-1876 |
|
Valentine Geib |
1877 |
|
Lewis A. Solomon |
1878-1879 |
|
Nelson Kelly |
1880-1885 |
|
Lewis A. Solomon |
1886 |
|
Nelson Kelly |
1887 |
|
Lewis A. Solomon |
1888 |
|
Valentine Geib |
1889 |
GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Rix Robinson |
1834-1835 |
|
Ezekiel W. Davis |
1836-1838 |
|
William G. Henry |
1839 |
|
Francis J. Higginson |
1840 |
|
George Young |
1841 |
|
John Almy |
1842-1843 |
|
Josiah L. Wheeler |
1844 |
|
Truman H. Lyon |
1845 |
|
Daniel Ball |
1846 |
|
Harvey K. Rose |
1847 |
|
James M. Nelson |
1848 |
|
Aaron Dikeman |
1849 |
|
Lewis Reed |
1850 |
|
Foster Tucker |
1851-1852 |
|
Abram Shear |
1853 |
|
Foster Tucker |
1854 |
|
Lewis Reed |
1855 |
|
Foster Tucker |
1856 |
|
George W. Dickinson |
1857 |
|
Augustus Treat |
1858 |
|
Kendall Woodward |
1859 |
|
Obed H. Foote |
1860 |
|
Foster Tucker |
1861-1873 |
|
Henry F. McCormick |
1874-1882 |
|
Henry H. Havens |
1883-1889 |
GRATTAN TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Milton C. Watkins |
1846 |
|
John John P. Weeks |
1847-1848 |
|
Milton C. Watkins |
1849-1850 |
|
Frederick C. Patterson |
1851 |
|
Milton C. Watkins |
1852-1853 |
|
Converse Close |
1854 |
|
Luther K. Madison |
1855 |
|
Converse Close |
1856 |
|
Milton C. Watkins |
1857 |
|
Converse Close & Dudley Newton |
1858 |
|
George D. Wood |
1859-1860 |
|
Theo. N. Chapin |
1861 |
|
B. W. B. Madison |
1862 |
|
Salisbury Mason |
1863-1864 |
|
George D. Wood |
1865 |
|
Volney W. Caukin |
1866 |
|
George D. Wood |
1867 |
|
Oliver I. Watkins |
1868-1870 |
|
Jerome A. Duga |
1871 |
|
Oliver I. Watkins |
1872 |
|
John W. Nicholson |
1873-1875 |
|
Oliver I. Watkins |
1876 |
|
Alvin C. Davis |
1877-1878 |
|
Aaron Norton |
1879-1884 |
|
Oliver I. Watkins |
1885-1886 |
|
Johnson M. Giffin |
1887-1889 |
LOWELL TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Cyprian S. Hooker |
1848 |
|
Harrison Wickham |
1849-1851 |
|
Cyprian S. Hooker |
1852-1853 |
|
John Brown |
1854-1856 |
|
Cyprian S. Hooker |
1857 |
|
Jacob Chapman |
1858 |
|
Arvine Peck |
1859 |
|
Charles B. Carter |
1860-1863 |
|
Almon M. Elsworth |
1864-1869 |
|
Robert Hunter, Jr. |
1870 |
|
Edmund Lee |
1871 |
|
Simeon Hunt |
1872 |
|
Charles R. Hine |
1873 |
|
Robert Hunter, Jr. |
1874-1877 |
|
Almon M. Elsworth |
1878 |
|
Leonard Hunt |
1879-1880 |
|
Jarvis C. Train |
1881-1882 |
|
Milton C. Barber |
1883 |
|
Henry Mitchell |
1884 |
|
Leonard H. Hunt |
1885 |
|
Henry Mitchell |
1886-1887 |
|
Augustus W. Weekes |
1888-1889 |
NELSON TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
George Hoyle |
1855 |
|
Urias Stout |
1856 |
|
Adolphus L. Skinner |
1856-1860 |
|
Benjamin F. DeCou |
1861 |
|
Adolphus L. Skinner |
1862 |
|
Barton Eddy |
1863 |
|
Nicholas R. Hill |
1864-1867 |
|
David B. Stout |
1868 |
|
Henry C. Russell |
1869 |
|
Mindrus H. Whitney |
1870-1875 |
|
David B. Stout |
1876 |
|
Henry C. Russell |
1877 |
|
Albert D. Eldridge |
1878 |
|
John Berridge |
1879-1884 |
|
Edgar L. Phelps |
1885-1887 |
|
John Berridge |
1888 |
|
Fred. Hubbard |
1889 |
OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Thomas Spencer |
1849 |
|
Harry McArthur |
1850-1853 |
|
Thomas Spencer |
1854 |
|
Harry McArthur |
1855-1857 |
|
Richard L. Wells |
1858-1859 |
|
John Davis |
1860 |
|
William R. Davis |
1861-1864 |
|
Rufin Caukin |
1865 |
|
William R. Davis |
1866-1874 |
|
Harry McArthur |
1875-1876 |
|
William Brown |
1877 |
|
William R. Davis |
1878 |
|
William Brown |
1879 |
|
Neil Stewart |
1880-1882 |
|
H. E. Rowley |
1883 |
|
H. A. Rowley |
1884 |
|
Nelson B. Rich |
1885-1886 |
|
Neil Stewart |
1887 |
|
Edward H. Jones |
1888-1889 |
PARIS TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Joel Guild |
1839 |
|
James A. Davis |
1840 |
|
Foster Kelly |
1841 |
|
Hiram H. Allen |
1842 |
|
Stephen Hinsdill |
1843 |
|
James A. Davis |
1844 |
|
Clinton Shoemaker |
1845 |
|
James A. Davis |
1846 |
|
Benjamin F. Freeman |
1847 |
|
William S. Parsons |
1848-1849 |
|
Sluman S. Bailey |
1850-1851 |
|
James A. Davis |
1852 |
|
Sluman S. Bailey |
1853-1854 |
|
Timothy S. Smith |
1855 |
|
Hiram H. Allen |
1856 |
|
Timothy S. Smith |
1857-1858 |
|
Sluman S. Bailey |
1859-1860 |
|
Timothy S. Smith |
1861-1862 |
|
Samuel M. Garfield |
1863-1865 |
|
Timothy S. Smith |
1866 |
|
Isaac D. Davis |
1867 |
|
Horace Henshaw |
1868 |
|
John P. Wykes |
1869 |
|
Samuel L. Garfield |
1870-1872 |
|
Wright C. Allen |
1873 |
|
Samuel Langdon |
1874-1875 |
|
Christian P. Friend |
1876-1877 |
|
Samuel Langdon |
1878 |
|
Jerome E. Phillips |
1879 |
|
Christian P. Friend |
1880-1882 |
|
Jerome E. Phillips |
1883-1884 |
|
Hugo B. Rathbun |
1885 |
|
Everett Hurd |
1886-1887 |
|
Jerome E. Phillips |
1888 |
|
Fremont E. Skeels |
1889 |
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Zenas G. Winsor |
1838 |
|
Collins Leach |
1839-1840 |
|
Ezra Whitney |
1841 |
|
Gideon H. Gordon |
1842 |
|
A. Watson |
1843-1844 |
|
H. C. Smith |
1845-1846 |
|
William Thornton |
1847 |
|
Chester Wilson, Jr. |
1848 |
|
Henry C. Smith |
1849-1852 |
|
Peter B. Wilson |
1853 |
|
John Hamilton |
1854-1855 |
|
H. C. Smith |
1856-1858 |
|
James K. Morris |
1859-1860 |
|
H. C. Smith |
1861-1866 |
|
Austin Richardson |
1867-1868 |
|
Horace Konkle |
1869-1875 |
|
H. D. Plumb |
1876 |
|
Horace Konkle |
1877 |
|
Henry D. Plumb |
1878-1879 |
|
Nathaniel Rice |
1880-1888 |
|
Robert M. Hutchins |
1889 |
SOLON TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Edward Jewell |
1857-1858 |
|
Nicholas R. Hill |
1859 |
|
Edward Jewell |
1860-1861 |
|
Nicholas R. Hill |
1862 |
|
Edward Jewell |
1863 |
|
Edward Pryce |
1864 |
|
Oliver P. Jewell |
1865 |
|
John J. Dean |
1866 |
|
Reuben W. Jewell |
1867 |
|
Mindrus H. Whitney |
1868 |
|
Asel B. Fairchild |
1869-1870 |
|
Benjamin Fairchild |
1871 |
|
Edward Pryce |
1872-1877 |
|
Asel B. Fairchild |
1878-1879 |
|
Oliver R. Lewis |
1880-1882 |
|
Albert G. Rose |
1883 |
|
Jeremiah Payne |
1884-1887 |
|
Edmund C. Woodworth |
1888-1889 |
SPARTA TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Lewis W. Purdy |
1846-1847 |
|
Jonathan E. Nash |
1848 |
|
Lewis W. Purdy |
1849 |
|
Horace McNitt |
1850 |
|
Jonathan E. Nash |
1851-1852 |
|
Caleb Amidon |
1853 |
|
Jonathan E. Nash |
1854-1856 |
|
Ira Blanchard |
1859-1860 |
|
Jacob Spangenberg |
1861-1862 |
|
Ira Blanchard |
1863 |
|
Christopher C. Hinman |
1864 |
|
Rufus Payne |
1865 |
|
Sidney McNitt |
1866-1867 |
|
Volney W. Caukin |
1868-1871 |
|
Christopher C. Hinman |
1872-1874 |
|
Jonathan E. Nash |
1875-1876 |
|
John Manchester |
1877 |
|
Jonathan E. Nash |
1878 |
|
Christopher C. Hinman |
1879-1880 |
|
Rezin A. Maynard |
1881-1882 |
|
James B. Taylor |
1883 |
|
Christopher C. Hinman |
1884 |
|
Avonley E. Roberts |
1885-1888 |
|
Leslie E. Paige |
1889 |
SPENCER TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Freeman Van Winkle |
1861 |
|
Thomas Spencer |
1862 |
|
Charles S. DeCou |
1863-1864 |
|
Charles D. Spencer |
1865 |
|
Jacob Van Zandt |
1866 |
|
Matthew B. Hatch |
1867-1873 |
|
Jacob Van Zandt |
1874 |
|
Scott Griswold |
1875-1878 |
|
John Moran |
1879-1880 |
|
Michael Ward |
1881 |
|
John Moran |
1882 |
|
Scott Griswold |
1883-1884 |
|
Volney F. Cowles |
1885 |
|
Scott Griswold |
1886-1888 |
|
James Ward |
1889 |
TYRONE TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Uriah Chubb |
1855-1860 |
|
Albert Clute |
1861 |
|
Milan L. Squires |
1862 |
|
Joseph Keyes |
1863-1864 |
|
Uriah Chubb |
1865-1867 |
|
Charles T. Smith |
1868 |
|
James M. Armstrong |
1869-1871 |
|
Augustus C. Ayres |
1872 |
|
Henry C. Wylie |
1873-1874 |
|
Henry J. Barrett |
1875-1876 |
|
Henry H. Wylie |
1877 |
|
George Hemsley |
1878-1880 |
|
George Snyder |
1881-1886 |
|
William W. Fenton |
1887-1888 |
|
George Snyder |
1889 |
VERGENNES TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Rodney Robinson |
1838 |
|
John M. Fox |
1839 |
|
John J. Devendorf |
1840 |
|
Alanson K. Shaw |
1841 |
|
Thompson I. Daniels |
1842-1844 |
|
Arba Richards |
1845 |
|
Henry M. Brown |
1846-1847 |
|
John B. Shear |
1848 |
|
Thompson I. Daniels |
1849 |
|
Morgan Lyon |
1850 |
|
Lucas Robinson |
1851-1852 |
|
Orlando J. O’Dell |
1853-1855 |
|
Philip W. Fox |
1856 |
|
Thompson I. Daniels |
1857-1858 |
|
Silas A. Yerkes |
1859-1860 |
|
Alex. McLean |
1861-1862 |
|
Jacob W. Walker |
1863-1889 |
WALKER TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Lovell Moore |
1838-1839 |
|
Ebenezer Davis |
1840-1841 |
|
James Davis |
1842-1843 |
|
Isaac Turner |
1844 |
|
James Davis |
1845-1846 |
|
John Potter |
1847 |
|
Silas Hall |
1848 |
|
John Potter |
1849-1850 |
|
William A. Tryon |
1851-1852 |
|
Curtis Porter |
1853 |
|
Milo White |
1854-1858 |
|
William C. Davidson |
1859 |
|
Milo White |
1860 |
|
Charles H. Leonard |
1861-1862 |
|
Jeffrey C. Champlin |
1863 |
|
Henry C. Hogadone |
1864-1865 |
|
Horace McNitt |
1866 |
|
Jeffrey Champlin |
1867 |
|
Ezra A. Hebard |
1868-1874 |
|
Abiel A. Wilson |
1875 |
|
Perley W. Johnson |
1876 |
|
Abiel A. Wilson |
1877 |
|
Ezra A. Hebard |
1878-1879 |
|
Abiel A. Wilson |
1880-1881 |
|
Perley W. Johnson |
1882 |
|
Abiel A. Wilson |
1883-1886 |
|
John Kinney |
1887-1889 |
WYOMING TOWNSHIP
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
William R. Godwin |
1848-1851 |
|
Nicholas Shoemaker |
1852-1854 |
|
Egbert Dewey |
1855 |
|
Ebenezer Davis |
1856 |
|
Nicholas Shoemaker |
1857 |
|
Horatio N. Ball |
1858-1859 |
|
Job Whitney |
1860 |
|
Ebenezer Davis |
1861-1862 |
|
Job Whitney |
1863 |
|
Horace O. Webster |
1864 |
|
Dwight Rankin |
1865 |
|
Joseph Blake |
1866 |
|
Ebenezer Davis |
1867 |
|
Augustine Godwin |
1868 |
|
John T. Emmons |
1869-1870 |
|
Augustine Godwin |
1871 |
|
Salisbury Mason |
1872-1875 |
|
Clinton D. Shoemaker |
1876-1877 |
|
William K. Emmons |
1878 |
|
William H. Nearpass |
1879 |
|
Augustine Godwin |
1880-1884 |
|
Clinton D. Shoemaker |
1885-1886 |
|
Nichol D. Emmons |
1887-1889 |
CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS AT LARGE
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Henry R. Williams |
1850 |
|
Truman H. Lyon, Boardman Noble |
1851-1852 |
|
David Caswell, Isaac Turner |
1853 |
|
Ralph W. Cole, John W. Peirce |
1854 |
|
Lewis Porter, Martin L. Sweet, Isaac Turner |
1855 |
|
David S. Leavitte, David Caswell, Charles C. Comstock |
1856 |
GRAND RAPIDS – FIRST WARD
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |
|
Amos Rathbone |
1857 |
|
John Clancy |
1858 |
|
John McConnell |
1859 |
|
William H. Godfroy |
1860 |
|
John McConnell |
1861-1868 |
|
Arthur Wood |
1869-1871 |
|
Patrick J. Britton |
1872-1873 |
|
Arthur Wood |
1874 |
|
Patrick J. Britton |
1875-1876 |
|
William Riordan |
1877 |
|
John Steketee |
1878-1888 |
|
Hendrikus Leppink |
1889 |
GRAND RAPIDS – SECOND WARD
|
NAME OF SUPERVISORS |
YEARS |