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- Notes:
- Democrat. Came to Grand Rapids as a young cabinet-maker in 1847, became early furniture manufacturer and lumberman. Later was builder of West Side Power canal, Power's Opera House, established first hydro-electric plant, was foundry owner, gypsum entrepreneur, etc., active into the 20th century.
- Date Created:
- 1857-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Collection:
- Mayors of Grand Rapids digital collection
- Notes:
- Martin L. Sweet came to Grand Rapids in 1846 and soon after built a flour mill, the Grand Rapids City mills. In 1860 he became mayor of Grand Rapids. And in 1868 he sold his mill and built the Sweet's Hotel, which stood on the site of the Pantlind Hotel and now the Amway Grand at the northwest corner of Pearl and Monroe. He was also involved in banking and the lumber business.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- From humble beginning as foundry and machine shop worker, rose to become president of Gallmeyer & Livingston, manufacturer of machine tools and woodworking machinery. As one of the honest aldermen helped bring to light water scandals of the early 1900s. Elected to first city commission in 1917, and as mayor dealt with problems arising from World War I.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Collection:
- Mayors of Grand Rapids digital collection
- Notes:
- A Dutch immigrant boy at 10, once employed in C. C. Comstock's pail factory, he worked himself up from shoe clerk to shoe store owner. Member of first city commission in 1917, served until 1928. Known as "father of the city's retail markets," promoter of opening Lake Michigan Drive through West Side, and for work on finance committee of Kent County Board of Supervisors.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Collection:
- Mayors of Grand Rapids digital collection
- Notes:
- Second Jewish mayor in Grand Rapids history (first was Julius Houseman), parents moved to Grand Rapids from Russia just before his birth. Graduated from Western Michigan State Teachers College. Partner in leather business. Appointed to City Commission in 1972. Elected mayor in 1975. Served two terms and then retired. Strong mayor with dominating personality.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Collection:
- Mayors of Grand Rapids digital collection
- Notes:
- Came in 1891, general manager of Grand Rapids Cigar Company. In 1909 was organizer and president of Tisch-Hine office outfitters. In 1913 founded Tisch Auto Supply Company. Ardent conservationist who strongly advocated reforestation projects, owned farms on which he practiced his ideas. Later moved to Marne.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Collection:
- Mayors of Grand Rapids digital collection
- Notes:
- Democrat. In 1864 was city's first exclusively wholesale grocery and liquor merchant. Served three terms as city treasurer in late 1870s, while running private bank that in 1879 was merged into Fourth National. Next year became first president of Kent Furniture Company. Later moved to Chicago.
- Date Created:
- 1871-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Collection:
- Mayors of Grand Rapids digital collection
- Notes:
- Parents born in Netherlands. He was born in Grand Rapids. Moved from Grand Rapids to farm near Zeeland at age 10. Printer. Served on City Commission 1929-1935. Long time friend of George Welsh. Elected mayor 1954 and hired Welsh as City Manager. Buried on his 70th birthday, March 17, 1958. Son Russell later led fight (petition/election) to save the Welsh Auditorium.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Collection:
- Mayors of Grand Rapids digital collection
- Notes:
- Republican. First Dutch-born mayor, a druggist and patent medicine manufacturer. His tonics and nostrums were popular around the Midwest. Tried to enforce Sunday "blue laws" that embroiled him in controversy.
- Date Created:
- 1881-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Collection:
- Mayors of Grand Rapids digital collection
- Notes:
- Democrat. Son of pioneer jeweler Aaron Dikeman, who arrived in 1837, Ed succeeded to his father's business. Noted as racehorse owner and enthusiast. Moved to Chicago in 1890s. Family home at SE corner of Fulton and Lafayette built in 1849 still stands.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Collection:
- Mayors of Grand Rapids digital collection