History of Ottawa County, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers.

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HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.

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" So exact was he in the performance of every Christian duty,
from that time to the day of his death (about twenty years), nothing
of business or place of surroundings was allowed to interfere with
the observance of such obligations. In journeying, whether on
steamboat or at a hotel, without ostentation or intrusion upon the
privileges of others, but with the inflexible habit of his home custom, his family assembled at the hour allotted for devotions, and.with him fulfilled what to him was a sacred and cherished duty;
and this was but an indication of the habit and life and every-day
demeanor of the man, the humble, dependent, faithful Christian. If
ever a man lived who was wholly consecrated to the service of his
Master, while energetically and thoroughly fulfilling his relations as
a citizen in public and private life, that man was Robert Stuart.
On his removal to Detroit, in 1835, he became ruling elder in Dr.
Duffield's church, and these relations were never changed. How
appropriate such a man was in such a place, can only be known by
those with whomn he associated and who knew him, as the citizens
of Detroit all did. The poor knew no dearer friend than he was to
them.
I" From a sermon that was preached by Dr. Duffield, on the
occasion of his death, I have taken liberally into this sketch. If
any of you would look more closely into the life of this great and
good-man, I commend that discourse to your perusal.
(Robert Stuart was appointed Indian Agent by President
Harrison, having charge over all the scattered tribes of the Northwest, whose interests he watched and guarded with paternal care.
His first visit to Grand Haven was in 1835, while acting as Indian
Agent, and together with Mrs. Stuart, passed several months here.
He had invested largely in lands in this county, and was one of the
projectors and proprietors of the city, beginning in.1834, and continuing many years a member of ( The Grand Haven Company.'
"Many characteristic incidents relating to Mr. Stuart that occurred while here I pass now, as I have taken up more time than I
had intended in my recollections of him; but in social chat hereafter
your possible interest in him may lead to a knowledge of the rich
vein of humor that was an outcrop with him on all occasions, and
which served to make him the very center of attraction in social
gatherings not only, but in public assemblages.
"Mr. Stuart was subsequently elected treasurer of the State of
Michigan, and after the expiration of his term of office was appointed, in 1815, trustee and secretary of the Illinois and Michigan Canal
Board, with his office in Chicago. His known character and probity
secured the confidence of capitalists, and his management of that
great work, connecting Lake Michigan with the Gulf of Mexico,
was in full keeping with his successful and established business reputation.
"He died at the age of 64 at Chicago, in October, 1848. A
noticeable coincidence is, that the manner of his death was precisely
that of his father, John Stuart-peacefully, painlessly, while sitting
in his chair.
"Wherever he was known the intelligence of his death was received witlh overwhelming sorrow. In the Detroit Advertiser of that
date I find an exquisite poem from the pen of D. Bethune Duffield,
Esq., beginning and ending with the following lines:
' Hushed be each note of gladness!
Let sorrow have her wayFor manIv hearts are swelling

With bitter grief to-day.'
and the echo came from Scotland and America alike l
"My friends, I have thus given you a hastily prepared sketch,
partly from concurrent data and from memory in reply to your toast,
'The City of Grand Haven.' My intention is to bring before you a
model man in public and private life. A Christian gentleman, a

Scotch-American, such as either country may well remember with
honor and pride, and pardon me if in my admiration for his character and worth, I assert that this country cannot furnish a parallel to
the life and character of Robert Stuart."
We are sure it will gratify the many friends who still cherishthe memory of CLARK B. ALBEE, to have a brief sketch of his life
inserted in the history of the County he did so much to develop.
He was born at Highgate, Franklin County, Vt., July 10, 1811.
His early educational advantages were limited, but as soon as he
became of age he determined to see something of the world for himself, and went to Michigan, where he was employed one year in
teaching. In 1835 he sought more profitable employment, and
found a position with David Carver, of Chicago, arriving in Grand
Haven in 1836 as agent for Carver in the forwarding and commission business. In 1838 he separated from Carver and established a
general store for himself, adding successively a boot and shoe store,
a tannery, a hotel and a lumber establishment. During the rebellion he was appointed Draft Commissioner, and was active in aiding
heads of families to procure substitutes. Originally a Whig, he became an earnest Republican on the formation of that party, but he had
such a strong sense of right, that he never allowed fidelity to party
to blind him to itsfaults. He was a charter member of the Odd Fellows, and filled all the positions of a subordinate lodge, but the multiplicity of his business cares caused him to withdraw from active
connection. He had a warm heart for humanity, and was particularly tender of the interests of little children. In his religious views
he was unsectarian. His death occurred suddenly Jan. 30, 1874 -his death was a loss to the people of western' Michigan, as his removal caused a vacancy that could not easily be filled.
Prof. A. W. Taylor, of the County Board of Education, is a
pioneer teacher of Ottawa County, having come to Grand Haven in
1853. He was County Superintendent in 1867-8-9, principal of
Spring Lake school in 1870. He is held in grateful remembrance
by his old pupils. He is now a resident of Nunica.
Z. G. WINSOR, wholesale dealer in coal, salt, cement, &c., and
agent for Chicago and Grand River line of steamers, was born in
Skaneateles, N. Y., in 1814, in 1822 removed to Syracuse, in 1833
was one of the first settlers in Ionia and Grand Rapids, taking up
land. He came down the river as clerk for the Indian trader, Rix
Robinson, the Ferry family arriving next season. In 1836 joined
Capt. Nancy, of Kalamazoo, in a land agency, in 1851 he went to
California for three years, from 1855 to 1860 took charge of Grand
River steamers, in 1865 he operated at Petrolia, and in 1868 he established his present extensive business. Mr. Winsor is still hale
and active, and may be found at his post every day.
HENRY JOHN BOLT was born in the province of Gelderland, Holland, in 1823, came to Grand Haven July 5, 1847, working first in
Hopkins' saw mill. Mr. Bolt has'held the office of coroner and the
street commissionership for twelve years. He now resides in his
fine residence on Washington Avenue, in the city of Grand Haven.
He married May 9, 1852, Miss Cornelia Elfers, who was born 1828,
coming from Overissel, Holland, in 1848. The family consists of
eight children, six living: Hannah, born July 10, 1853; Alice,
April. 26, 1855; Jennie, June83, 1857; Henry, Aug. 27, 1859;
(died 17 months old) Hattie, June 27, 1862; Cornelia, Jan. 13,
1865, (died six months old); Henry J., Oct. 22, 1866; Albert, May
29, 1871.
R. W. BOYNTON is a native of Maine and first came.to Michigan

in 1844. His early life was spent at work, and acquiring an education at the district school and from such books as he was able to
gain access to. He came to Michigan during the early days and
was an active participant in the pioneer experiences of that time.
He was familiar with the first paths and Indian trails of western

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