EARLY GRAND LEDGE BUSINESS

From "History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan" - 1880

The village of Grand Ledge occupies a most picturesque location on both banks
of Grand River, and derives its name from the river and the sandstone, which is
here cut down to a depth of forty feet or more. When the subject of a name for the place was brought up, several were proposed in honor of the prominent citizens, but Reuben Wood said,' Let us have a local name," and that of Grand Ledge was finally adopted as being most appropriate.

Henry Trench and Edmund Lamson were the first settlers upon the site of the
village, and the latter was the first permanent resident, Mr. Trench having left
the vicinity after a few years; he is now residing in Connecticut. Mr. Lamson, who
is yet living here, first came in 1847 to look at some land he had purchased, and
at that time found Mr. Trench and his wife housed under a small and rather cheaply-constructed shanty. Mr. Trench, who moved around from place to place, owned about forty acres here, and was well known throughout the community. He was wont to remark that "his father sent him to college to learn to tinker." He possessed a fine education, but its application towards earning a livelihood was not of concern to him, and as a " tinker" he was best known among the people. He was at Grand Ledge several different times, but never remained long.

Edmund Lamson made a final settlement on the site of the village, Oct. 28,
1848. His nearest neighbors were John W. Russell, who lived a mile and a half
west; David Taylor, about the same distance north, in Eagle township,
Clinton Co.; and Peter Brazier, about two miles south.

Abram Smith, now of Grand Ledge, came to Michigan from Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1840, and located in the township of Quincy, Branch Co. In the winter of
1848-49, the State Legislature granted to him and his brother-in law,
John W. Russell, who lived west of the village site, the privilege of building a
dam across Grand River at this place. Said dam was commenced by Mr. Russell
in August, 1849, in company with David Taylor, before mentioned, and in
September following Mr. Smith joined them.

The dam was completed, and before winter a sawmill was built and in operation.
It stood immediately below the dam, on the south side of the river, and is still in
use, although remodeled and enlarged. The original mill site, including two
acres, was purchased of Henry Trench. Mr. Smith remained in company with the
others but about a year, when he sold his interest to Mr. Russell and settled
upon the farm he now occupies in the western part of the corporation.  When
these men began making improvements here Mr. Lamson and Mr. Trench were
the only settlers, the locality being a densely-wooded wilderness.

In the fall of 1849, Reuben Wood, from Farmington, Oakland Co., Mich., visited
the place and purchased six and one-half acres of land on the north side of the
river, including the present grist-mill site, in the interest of the
firm of Wood & Allen (Nathan Allen was Mr. Wood's partner in business). In the
spring of 1850 they caused a building to be erected for their use by the saw-mill
company (Smith, Russell & Taylor), and in June of the same year they opened a
general stock of goods in it, theirs being the first store established in the place.

This firm, together with David Taylor, built the grist-mill now standing, and
placed in it two runs of stone. The original mill was two stories high, but has
since been enlarged and improved. In the spring of 1854, Mr. Taylor disposed
of his interest in it to the firm of Kent, Hixson & Co., of Portland, Ionia Co. Mr.
Allen also sold to them in 1855, and Mr. Wood sold his share about 1858, since
which time the firm of Kent, Hixson & Co. have been sole proprietors,
and also own the saw-mill.

The year after Wood & Allen located here they purchased 120 acres of land on
the north side of the river, and it was long hoped that upon that side the
principal business would be located, although the south side had been first
chosen. The store of Messrs. Wood & Allen stood on what is now River Street,
immediately above and adjoining the saw-mill yard, and was occupied by them
for both store and dwelling.

Daniel Chadwick, who had settled in the township of Delta as early as 1837,
removed about 1850 to the village, and at one time owned an interest in the
saw-mill. He is now deceased. His son, Samuel Chadwick, is a prominent
resident of the place. The family was originally from the State of New York.
The second store in the village was opened by William Russell, who also kept
the first hotel. The Messrs. Daniels soon after established the third store in the
place.