Ionia County MI Archives News.....An Old Town Just Becoming Conscience of It's Resources. September 25, 1874
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marilyn Johnson McDowell texas26@gmail.com March 21, 2010, 9:47 pm

Inter Ocean September 25, 1874
What Portland proposes to be and what it's doing.

Correspondence of the Inter-Ocean; Sept 22, 1874.

Portland, Mich. Portland is gradually becoming cognizant of her resources and
needs.  At his point, Grand River and Lookinglass River kiss and mingle into
one, and both streams before they unite, and right in the heart of the village
afford power. The Lookinglass is improved nearly to it's capacity, having a
flouring mill, a woolen mill - where $30,000 worth of cashmere,flannels, jeans
and yarn are made annually - and a saw mill. The power of the Grand River is
partly developed, running the great flour mill of R. B Smith, the school
furniture factory of R. B. Smith & Co. and one or two other manufactories.  But
right here, the fall of the Grand River is only five feet. A survey was made a
short time ago and it was ascertained that by building the dam half a mile
further up stream nine feet of head can be had. This plan being carried out, and
it probably will be in another year, several additional factories could be
started and Portland would feel stronger pulsations of life. There are men of
enterprise and wealth here, several of them, it is their determination to not
much longer see any of these waters run to waste.          

SCHOOL FURNITURE
Incidentally, I have mentioned the school furniture factory of R. B. Smith & Co.
whose wares attracted so much attention at the State Fair last week. While these
parties make any styles ordered, their specialty  is a desk with a double-curved
slat back and a double curved folding slat seat. The shape of the seat and back
corresponds to the outline of the spinal column, thus affording the easiest and
best support.  In order to increase the strength of the desk, the slates are
beveled, making the joints perfectly tight. The school furniture made here has
very strong claims to public patronage and having it liberally. 
Adjoining this factory is the foundry of Gerry Storm who has a new style of
cultivator of his own inventing which promises a rich reward.      
S.K. Gates also has a foundry and machine shop. The Portland Woolen Company,
whose mills I have mentioned is comprised of six capitalists. The flouring mill
on this stream is run by James Newman & Son. There are two saw mills here, a
large carriage shop and a few lesser manufactories. One or two stores have been
completed and opened. Carpenter & Warren are about to build a handle factory. A
three-story open will soon be ready to open. 

BUSINESS HOUSESE
Two private banking houses of L. Webber & Son and Maynard, Allen & Co. report a
thrifty business.  There are four dry goods stores, eight groceries, two
hardware dealers, four druggists, and two booksellers and all appear to be doing
a good business except two or three of the smaller grocers.  Churches and school
houses are abundant. 

A GOOD PRODUCE MARKET
Portland is a great produce market. Maynard & Roe are doing an immense business
in this line and offer a moderate amount. Everything bought here finds a market,
from a load of wheat to a crop of hens, down to a turtle dove or two young
pigeons. The hills are being dug down and the grade of the business part raised,
making the village easily accessible from all directions. Portland is certainly
rising. It has grown four feet in four months.  

THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION  
This is the first town I have heard in the state where the suffrage question
seems to be the leading topic. Two woman have recently spoken here, and another
is coming soon. Pennsylvania is furnishing her fair share of speakers - two
ladies in rapid succession. The suffragists are confined to no party or to any
color. A Democratic lawyer is among the most earnest suffragists. Whether they
or the antis are in the ascendant I can not say, but one thing is certain, a
heavy vote on this question will be polled in Portland. 
JC   
        


Additional Comments:
R B. Smith is Robert Bruce Smith.

"manufactories" is the exact spelling.

Gerry Storm is possibly Garry Storm (1839-1897) ?

S.K. Gates is Samuel K. Gates

L. Webber is Lorenzo Webber 

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/newspapers/anoldtow239gnw.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/

File size: 4.7 Kb