George W. Green Biography - Mecosta County, MI.

Copyright © 2002 by Jan Cortez. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

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1883 Mecosta County Portrait and Bio Album, Chapman Brothers

George W. Green, lumberman, resident at Big 
Rapids, was born at Amity, Allegany Co., N.Y., Dec. 
31, 1834, son of William D. and Anna (Belden) 
Green. His father was a farmer and lumberman, 
and he was early put in training for the same 
occupation, upon which he entered at 17 years of 
age. The business career of Mr. Green represents 
in miniature the history of Mecosta County, 
whither he came in 1855. The township of Green 
permanently and fitly commemorates the family 
name. Mr. Green with his father and brother 
Andrew, being among the earliest settlers within 
its limits, and the founder of a considerable 
proportion of "first things" there,k as they were 
the heaviest land-holders at that period. They 
located about 1,400 acres of land and entered 
zealously upon the work of clearing and prosecuting 
their lumber interests. Mr. Green was associated 
with his brother Andrew in the lumber trade and in 
farming about 12 years. They bought large tracts 
of pine land, in Clare County, principally; employed 
many men, and put logs in the river, which were 
sold afterward, as is the custom in this section. 
Mr. Green of this sketch built the first frame 
house and barn in the township of Green. The 
former was erected on sec. 9, in 1857, the latter 
on sec. 4, in 1859. The residence was the first 
frame dwelling in Mecosta County. At the time of 
his arrival, there was but one-half of an acre of 
ground cleared where Big Rapids now stands, 
whereon was located a small hut owned by Zerah 
French, the only inhabitant living there at the time 
they located their lands. Mr. Green and his brother 
were often obliged to carry some part of their 
provisions long distances on thei backs. 
In 1872, associated with his brother -- Lewis H. 
Green -- he bought a saw-mill on the river in Big 
Rapids, at the foot of Hemlock street. The 
following year they sold out, and each proceeded 
to build a mill on his own responsibility. Lewis H. 
erected a lumber mill on the north side of Mitchell 
Creek, and Mr. Green of this sketch built a shingle 
mill on the south side of the same stream, which he 
sold in June, 1875, to S.H. Gray & Co. He continued 
to put in logs up the river, and in 1877 engaged 
with Bailey & Hardy in the meat business at Big 
Rapids. This relation closed at the end of a year, 
and Mr. Green went to the Black Hills, where he 
engaged in lumbering and mining until 1881, meeting 
with satisfactory success.
The death of his wife recalled him to Big Rapids, 
and he resumed the lumber trade. In 1882 he 
bought a saw-mill in the village of Mecosta, which 
he sold in June of the following year. He still owns 
and manages a lumber yard there and, in company 
with D.F. Glidden, is engaged in the lumber 
business. His property at Big Rapids consists of a 
fine residence, and two lots on the corner of Elm 
and Ives Avenus; a residence and lot adjoining on 
the north; a store on the north side of Michigan 
Avenue, about 5,000 acres of stump land in Clare, 
Missaukee and Osceola Counties; and 160 acres of 
farming land in Dakota.
Mr. Green was married March 27, 1862, in Green 
Tp., to Mary A., daughter of Thomas and Nicholas 
(Stott) Shaw, and a native of London, Eng. Three 
children were born of this union: Lola M.B., Grace 
G., and George W. The mother died at Big Rapids, 
May 11, 1881. Mr. Green was again married Oct. 17, 
1882, at East Dennis, Mass., to Ellen M., daughter 
of Stillman Kelley. He is a member of the City 
Council of Big Rapids, of which position he was the 
incumbent in 1877-78. He has served ten years as 
Deputy County Surveyor, and was Deputy under the 
first County Clerk, Orrin Stevens, elected at the 
organization of Mecosta County, which position he 
filled two years. While a resident of Green Tp., he 
was Justice of the Peace four years, was Deputy 
Township Clerk a number of years, and has served 
at Big Rapids as Deputy Sheriff under A.S. Mason. 
He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Masonic Order, 
and is a Knight Templar.