Search Constraints
Search Results
- Notes:
- Portrait of Martin A. Ryerson. Ryerson was a prominent businessman from Chicago who was born in Grand Rapids to Martin and Mary Ryerson (Mary was the daughter of Antoine Campau). Ryerson wanted to give back to the city in which he was born and so donated the money to build the Ryerson Library building (the Main branch building of the Grand Rapids Public Library).
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Photograph of George Henry Minisee, the son of James Henry Minisee and Mariah Ray
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Professor Conrad G. Swensberg (1835-1897) came to Grand Rapids in 1866 and founded the Grand Rapids Commercial College, also known as Grand Rapids Business College, which later became Davenport University. He taught at the school for over twenty years. He later was the owner and publisher/editor of the Telegram-Herald newspaper. In addition, he was the president of the Valley City Milling company, a founder of the Phoenix Furniture Company, a founder of the Aldine Manufacturing Company, a director of the Grand Rapids Savings Bank, and director of the Grand Rapids Street Railway Company. He was also an organizer of the local Y.M.C.A. and helped to establish the city's first free library.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Wencel L. Cukerski (1869-1926) was a landscape architect, gardener, and former Superintendent of the Grand Rapids city parks. He was instrumental in the layout and development of John Ball Park. After his retirement from the Parks Department he went on to establish the Grand Rapids Floral Company. Photo circa 1910.
- Date Created:
- 1910-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Two studio portraits of 1st Lieutenant Charles H. Holden of Company A, 26th Michigan Infantry, who served in the Civil War. Photo circa 1863.
- Date Created:
- 1863-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Photograph of Hattie Beverly, Grand Rapids' first African American teacher.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- 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:
- George G. Briggs: b. Wayne County, Mich. January 24, 1838--d. Grand Rapids, Mich. December 8, 1912. Began as mercantile clerk in Battle Creek, 1852-55; bookkeeper in Galesburg, Mich. 1856-58. Partner in Averill & Briggs store, 1858-62. Raised Company A, 7th Michigan Cavalry, served from 2nd Lt. to Colonel, 1862-65, in Civil War and Indian Wars. Came to Grand Rapids 1866; married Julia, daughter of John W. Pierce, went into partnership with father-in-law in dry goods firm Pierce & Briggs, 1866-69. State representative, 1869-70. Secretary-treasurer of Michigan Barrel Co. 1870-87. First president of G.R. Board of Trade 1887-90. Postmaster at G.R. 1890-94. Vice-president of National City Bank 1894-98. Was well-known as art connoisseur and collector, an early patron of Mathias Alten. Built house at 143 Lafayette NE in 1909, designed to display his collection. Sources: GRP, Dec. 9, 1912; Baxter, p. 594.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Portrait of Louis Lovell who served as the Circuit Judge in the 8th Circuit Court.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Photograph of Bessie Minisee, the daughter of George Henry Minisee and Helen Thompson. She would later marry Charles Allen.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Photograph of Mabel Minisee, the daughter of George Henry Minisee and Helen Thompson. She would later marry Daniel Jones.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Photograph of Mabel Minisee and Daniel Jones
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- William J. Sproat was a newspaperman and the founder of the Morning Press, which later became the Evening Press and later the Grand Rapids Press. Prior to founding the Morning Press in 1890, he was the city editor for the Telegram, and earlier had worked for the Democrat.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Portrait of John Ball, circa 1875. John Ball (1794-1884) was an early pioneer and land speculator who came to Grand Rapids in 1836. He was also a teacher, lawyer, and a politician. He also left forty acres of land on the west side to the City of Grand Rapids which became John Ball Park and home of John Ball Zoo.
- Date Created:
- 1875-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Etta Wilson was known as Michigan's first newspaper woman. She was reporter for the Herald, covering topics from society to sports. She later worked for the Detroit Sunday News-Tribune. She was also a lecturer and an ornithologist.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- C. H. Leonard was an early inventor of refrigerators, known as the Leonard Cleanable Refrigerators. He established the Grand Rapids Refrigerator Company which was later acquired by Kelvinator.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Studio portrait of Colonel George Gray in uniform. Colonel Gray served in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry and fought at Gettysburg during the Civil War. He was a prominent attorney and served as the City Attorney in 1857.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Portrait of Gaius w. Perkins, Jr. He was the president of the lumber company Perkins Brothers, Incorporated. He was also a president of the Peninsular Club.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Photograph of Ray Minisee, the son of George Henry Minisee and Helen Thompson.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Portrait of Robert W. Irwin (1889-1953), prominent businessman in the Grand Rapids furniture industry. Irwin began his career in 1889 at the Grand Rapids School Furniture Company where he quickly rose to superintendent of the plant. In 1900 he left to purchase the Royal Furniture Company, along with A. W. Hompe and Ralph Tietsort. By 1911 he, along with several others, purchased and reorganized the Phoenix Furniture Company. He later acquired full control of Phoenix Furniture and consolidated it with Royal Furniture and formed the Robert W. Irwin Company in 1919, where he served as President until his retirement in 1951.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Photograph of Dr. Robert Claytor, the first black physician to gain admitting privileges at St. Mary's Hospital and co-founder of the Brough Community Association, which evolved into the Grand Rapids Urban League.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Ralph P. Tietsort was an executive in the furniture industry. Tietsort, Robert W. Irwin, and A. W. Hompe purchased the Royal Furniture Company in 1900. And in 1911, Tietsort, Irwin, and several others purchased the Phoenix Furniture Company.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Portrait of Mrs. Amy Howland Richmond.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- Portrait of C. H. Richmond, son of Mrs. Amy Howland Richmond, 1911.
- Date Created:
- 1911-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Notes:
- George G. Briggs: b. Wayne County, Mich. January 24, 1838--d. Grand Rapids, Mich. December 8, 1912. Began as mercantile clerk in Battle Creek, 1852-55; bookkeeper in Galesburg, Mich. 1856-58. Partner in Averill & Briggs store, 1858-62. Raised Company A, 7th Michigan Cavalry, served from 2nd Lt. to Colonel, 1862-65, in Civil War and Indian Wars. Came to Grand Rapids 1866; married Julia, daughter of John W. Pierce, went into partnership with father-in-law in dry goods firm Pierce & Briggs, 1866-69. State representative, 1869-70. Secretary-treasurer of Michigan Barrel Co. 1870-87. First president of G.R. Board of Trade 1887-90. Postmaster at G.R. 1890-94. Vice-president of National City Bank 1894-98. Was well-known as art connoisseur and collector, an early patron of Mathias Alten. Built house at 143 Lafayette NE in 1909, designed to display his collection. Sources: GRP, Dec. 9, 1912; Baxter, p. 594.
- Data Provider:
- Grand Rapids Public Library (Grand Rapids, Mich.)