Among the many monuments, that from time to time have been erected bycitizens and comrades to carry the honor of soldiers down to further ages,and perpetuate the memory of services rendered and sacrifices made by thosewho served their country in the time of her need and danger, the comelyand stately one here described is worthy of a prominent place. The KentCounty Soldiers' Monument Association was organized February 13, 1864,while our soldiery were in the very heat of the struggle for the preservationof the Union. The original incorporators were: Truman H. Lyon, Peter R.L. Pierce, Alfred X. Cary, George W. Allen, Eben Smith, Jr., Henry Grinnell,Thomas D. Gilbert: Henry Fralick, Wilder D. Foster. First officers: President,Thomas D. Gilbert; Treasurer: Ransom C. Luce; Secretary, Eben Smith, Jr.It was started on the dollar membership plan, and local societies wereorganized in the townships of the county; the proposition being to raisea fund of $5,000 for the purpose of erecting a monument to the memory ofthe soldiers of Kent county who died while serving the United States inthe then pending war. Calls upon the purses of the people were at thattime so numerous and urgent that but slow progress was made. Six hundredmembers brought $600 to the fund, when interest in the project flaggedand nearly died out, and further action was held at abeyance for abouttwenty years, except the careful investment by Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Fralickof the fund in hand. Finally plans were solicited and a contract made withthe Detroit Bronze Company, in 1885, for a monument to cost $3,500, tobe in readiness for unveiling and dedication at the Annual Reunion of theArmy of the Cumberland, held in Grand Rapids, April 16 and 17, 1885. Mr.Gilbert becoming personally responsible for any balance that might be neededwhen the work should be done. Success crowned the effort, and a great concourseof people were present to rejoice at the consummation of the work. Thecost of this monument and its surroundings was $4,150. In connection withits payment is a striking illustration of the cumulative property of moneyjudiciously invested. The original $600 with its increment of interesthad grown to be $2,223. Then of the subscription raised to entertain theveterans of the Army of the Cumberland there was a surplus of $750, whichwas turned over to the monument fund. The balance needed — $1,117 — wasprovided by private subscription. The Soldiers' Monument is so placed inthe triangular park at the intersection of Fulton, Division and MonroeStreets that the statue of the soldier at the summit of the shaft, facesnorthwest. The basin surrounding the base of the monument is sixteen feetin diameter and circular in form, built of native stone, surmounted bya coping of sand stone. The monument proper rests upon a base of nativestone cut in the from of a Greek cross. From this rises the bronze baseof the structure, ornamented in appropriate designs, with medallion portraitsof Lincoln, Grant, Farragut and Garfield, and inscribed thereupon are thenames and dates of the following engagements, all of which were participatedin by Kent County soldiers: Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861; Fort Donaldson,February 16, 1852; Monitor and Merrimac, March 9, 1862; New Orleans, April24, 1862; Atlanta, September 2, 1862; Yorktown, April 4, May 4, 1862; FairOaks, May 31, June 1, 1862; Vicksburg, June 22, July 4, 1863; Appomatox,April 8, 1865; Mobile, March 30, April 12, 1865; Stone River, January 2,1863; Port Royal, January 1, 1862. This section has a height of seven feetfrom the stone base.

The next section is square in form, having on the front side in basrelief a scene representing a woman giving aid to a wounded soldier andthe inscription "Woman's Mission of Mercy" — probably the first recognitionin the history of soldiers' monuments of the work of women. The idea ofdoing so in this case was conceived by Mrs. Thomas D. Gilbert, and embodiedin the plans by the committee. The other three sides of this section havethree inscriptions.

"A Government of the people, by the people and for the people." — Lincoln

"The Union must and shall be preserved." — Jackson

"Let us have peace — This is a Nation." — Grant

"The war for the Union was right, eternally right." — Garfield.

Upon the next section, on the front, is the inscription, "In honor ofthe soldiers from Kent County, 1861-1865. Erected 1885." Above is a drapedshaft upon which is the life-sized figure of a soldier in the uniform ofa private, and standing at parade rest. Around the pedestal on which thestatue stands are: "Petersburg," "Winchester," "Mission Ridge," "Antietam."

The height of the monument from the ground to the top of the soldier'scap, is thirty-four feet. It is one of the most elaborate, up to that time,made of this material, "white bronze," which is believed to be indestructible,and is of a rich gray color. When the water is turned on jets play fromcannon peeping out of miniature embrasures into the lower basin, whilefour draped cherubs spout water into the upper basin. The park was formallyset apart for this monument and fountain November 25, 1884, by action ofthe Common Council.

When the white people came into this region there was an Indian burialground on the West Side, nearly opposite the foot of the rapids. Its useas a cemetery was continued by the Catholic priest or missionary who camehere, and near it the little church of Father Baraga was situated. Thusit became the early Catholic cemetery, and was used as such until afterthe Indians removed and other grounds were procured by the Catholics onthe east side of the river. Another Indian burial place on the West sidewas further north, in some mounds nearly opposite the Pearl street bridge.Early settlers tell of burying large numbers of Indians in that southwestpart of the city, at times of prevalence of contagious diseases among them.This whole ground of the mounds and burial places has since been very thoroughlydug up and leveled in making city improvements, and little remains buta dim remembrance of dead men's bones, and the ancient relics unearthed.

The first piece of ground set apart for cemetery uses in this town,as appears by the "Plat of the Village of Kent," made by John Almy in 1835,was a parcel lying west of Livingston street, and between Walbridge andColdbrook streets. It contained nearly eight acres, being 650 feet northand south by 510 feet east and west. A few graves were made there at anearly day, and occasional burials down as late as 1855. It was never formallydedicated to the public other than by platting, though the City Councilrecognized it in 1853 by an order for fencing it. This, however, was notcarried into effect, and a few years later the remains interred there wereremoved, chiefly to Fulton Street Cemetery. About 1855 a pest-house waserected among the bushes on or near the south end of this ground, and twoor three victims of smallpox were buried there. There were the no residencesnear it. Afterward the interest of the public in the ground was allowedto lapse and it reverted to its original owners.

In the early village days a parcel of ground near where is now the cornerof Madison avenue and Cherry street was used occasionally for burial purposes.Subsequently the remains which had been placed there were removed to theFulton Street Cemetery. There was a story to the effect that a man namedBaker, familiarly known as "Big Baker," on account of his large frame (hewas very tall and weighed 260 pounds), was buried there and that at theremoval of his coffin was found empty. The daughter of Samuel Baker afterwarddiscredited this, so far as was related to the place of burial. She thoughthe was buried at Fulton Street Cemetery, but the family were unable tofind his remains or even any appearance of a grave at the spot where theysaw him buried.

July 9, 1838, the Trustees of the Village purchased of James Ballardsix acres of ground comprising what is now a part of the Fulton StreetCemetery. The purchase price was $300. It was to be reserved and used expresslyas a cemetery for the Village of Grand Rapids, one-third of it for theRoman Catholics, and was to be kept in order and repair at the expenseof the Village. Twenty years later this ground was found too small forthe needs of the then rapidly growing city, and additions were made toit of parcels adjoining, by deeds of Thomas D. Gilbert and others, in 1862,1863 and 1864. In the early part of 1868, the "Fulton Street Cemetery Associationof the City of Grand Rapids"  was incorporated, under the law of theState relating to such associations, by the owners of lots in that cemetery,and the following officers were elected: President, Thomas D. Gilbert;Clerk, James B. Willson; Treasurer, J. Frederic Baars; Sexton, John Suttle;Directors, L. R. Atwater, A. Lamont Chubb, Alonzo Platt. At the same meetingby-laws were adopted and an assessment of $600 was levied on the membersfor the improvement of the grounds. Since that time they have been wellcared for by this association. The present officers are: President, GeorgeW. Sones; Secretary and Treasurer, J. F. Baars; Sexton, John Ringold. Thegrounds with their alleys and carriage ways are well laid out and carefullyand neatly kept, and in them are a considerable number of handsome andcostly monuments. The trees and shrubbery, judiciously and tastefully trimmed,give the place much the appearance of an attractive park. The area of thiscemetery is nearly twelve acres.

The Catholic cemetery on the west side of the river is known as MountCavalry — a plat of about seventeen acres just west of the city at thejunction of Walker avenue and West Leonard street. It was purchased bythe Rev. I. G. Ehrenstrasser, the pastor of St. Mary's Church, April 10,1882, and soon after was formally consecrated according to the Roman Catholicritual. The land was purchased by the pastor with his own money, and duringhis life he gave four acres to the church, and on his death December 6,1886, he left the remainder of the plat to the congregation of St. Mary'schurch, his intention, as expressed, having been to reside on the portionwithheld, should he become superannuated before his death. In connectionwith the Parish of St. Mary's, the cemetery is used by the Parish of St.Adelbert, the Polish Catholic Church. The first member of the parish buriedin this "city of the dead," was Frank Berles, August 5, 1884; althoughprior to this several children of Polish families had been buried there.Among the monuments in the course of construction, is a very elegant mausoleumto the memory of Father Ehrenstrasser, costing five thousand dollars. Thereare many small but tasty monuments, among which are noticed those of FrankBerles, Peter Kreider, Frank Roetz, Charles Greulich, John Goebel and PeterBeierly, mainly the work of Charles Schmidt, a member of the Congregation.

The St. Andrew's (Catholic) Cemetery, situated on the east side of MadisonAvenue between Prince and Jones streets, and comprising about ten acresof ground, was deeded to Bishop Peter Paul LeFevre in December 1852. Previousto that time the Catholic burial ground on the east side of the river wasin the gore between Cherry street and Lake avenue, and east of the cityline. The grounds are well platted, and contain several fine monuments.That of the Reverend Father Andrew Viszocsky bears Latin, French, Germanand English inscriptions. The John Clancy vault is the object of much interestto visitors.

Situated about a quarter of a mile east of the fair grounds, in thetown of Paris, is the Valley City Cemetery, being the east part of thenorth half of the northeast quarter of Section 6 in that township, aboutforty acres of ground. This was purchased by direction of the Common Councilin February 1859, and was dedicated by the city authorities to cemeterypurposes December 17, 1860. The grounds are handsomely laid out in a groveof natural oaks, with convenient walks and drives, and are well kept. Ithas a number of fine monuments, and a city vault of capacity to receivetwenty-four caskets, the latter built by a California gentleman.

The first meeting of the Hebrews in this city was held September 20,1857, to take action regarding the death of one Jacob Levy. Joseph Housemanwas Chairman, and David L. Newborg, Secretary. Those present resolved themselvesinto a Benevolent and Burial Society, and authorized the Chairman to procuresuitable grounds for a cemetery. These he secured, by deed from JosephJ. Baxter and Julia A. Baxter, his wife, dated September 20, 1857, conveyingthat parcel of land which is the southwest quarter of Oak Hill Cemetery.This was the first ground dedicated to such use in that neighborhood; OakHill and Valley City Cemeteries being established later. It is owned andused by the Congregation Emanuel as the Hebrew Burial Ground, and is neatly,sweetly and carefully cared for.

In the southeast corner of the city is Oak Hill Cemetery, comprisingabout forty acres, in square form. The original plat, made by W. L. Coffinberry,shows 1,350 lots, averaging 16 by 30 feet in size. Its central avenue is40 feet wide, the circular drive ways are 24 feet wide, and that aroundthe outside is 20 feet wide. It has an estimated capacity for 21,600 graves.This cemetery was dedicated October 25, 1859. The southwest quarter ofthis ground constitutes the burial place of the Hebrews.

A little northwest of the city, in the township of Walker, is a cemeterytract of twenty acres called Greenwood. It was purchased by the city inFebruary 1859, and was dedicated as the city cemetery December 17, 1860.It is tastefully laid out and nicely cared for. Near the center is a neatfamily vault of moderate dimensions. The ground has several miles of walksand driveways, the latter bordered by strips of lawn; and many of the lotsare marked with monuments of granite and marble.