MORLEY Big Rapids Independent August 27, 1870

Morley is the name of a village situated on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, about 40 miles north of Grand Rapids, and 15 miles south of Big Rapids, in the extreme southeast corner of the town (township) of Aetna, Mecosta County, and on the north bank of the Little Muskegon river. It sprung into being upon the completion of the second section of twenty miles of the G.R. & I. RR north of Grand Rapids, the terminus being in the midst of a dense forest, over a mile from any dwelling, and was named after a prominent railroad builder, who had something to do with the construction of this road, The laying of the tract was completed June 25th, 1869, and three days later, work was commenced on the first building, where now, only 14 months later, is a thriving village with 64 dwellings, besides railroad buildings, business houses, barns, etc., etc., and a permanent population by actual count of 318. It is immediately surrounded by a pine forest, mixed with a liberal supply of hardwood, the pine is of good size, and generally on excellent quality, from which large quantities of lumber and shingles will be manufactured for shipment at this point. A few miles distant in every direction it changes to good farming land and some of the best farms in the county are to be found within a short distance of Morley. Of course, the streets are full of stumps, and the roads to and from the village are new and unimproved, but what village was ever built in the woods, where all these obstacles were removed the first or even the second year? But as a stroll through the village is necessary to ascertain what is being done and who is doing it, we cross from the depot building to the south-east to the Forest City House, kept by Dennis Robinson, who is well known as a hotel keeper on the Muskegon river. A little further south we notice a saloon and bowling alley, kept by Baldwin and Walker; and still a little farther south, a large hall, 28 by 52 feet, the only one in town, which serves for all public gatherings, including preaching, Sunday school, etc. Turning our steps northward, we first come to Daniel P. Hanson's large Feed and Provisions store, and in the front part of the same room, we find C.E. Goff, watchmaker, on one side, and Spencer Nickens, tonsorial artist on the other, both experts in their business. Next is the billiard saloon kept by Archy McMullen. A few steps more bring us to the National Hotel, immediately opposite the depot, kept by Geo. Schofield. The house is well known to the traveling public, and does a large business. Continuing northward, we come first to a saloon kept by Chas. McArthur; then a saloon and fruit store kept by Lyman T. Gibbs; and next to a fruit and provision store by A. Chapin, who has a photograph room adjacent to his store. Next is Nelson Pike, who keeps a general assortment of merchandise. Mr. Pike has recently been enlarging his store, and will soon add to his wares a large stock of drugs. At the next door we find J.M. Swanger, dealer in books, stationery, yankee notions, etc. Mr. Swanger also keeps the Post Office, the net proceeds of which have averaged over $73 per quarter since it was established. It receives a daily mail from the north and south, and a semi-weekly from Greenville, on Tuesdays and Fridays. In the next building we find John Butler selling drugs and groceries; and in the next, George Ward, dealer in general merchandise; and in the third Eugene Saunders, also general dealer. The nex building is occupied by Olson and Lawson, one part for a saloon, the other part for a shoe-shop, and adjacent to this is the office f Dr. Trout, a botanic physician. Lastly on this street, we find Nelson Capron, dealer in groceries and provisions. Turning to the eastward, we come first to the office of Jonathan Burtsch, Esq., who is the only lawyer in the place. His office serves for a sort of village Court room, whenever the people of that vicinity find it necessary to ask the assistance of a justice in the adjustment of their matters of difference, for Morley, like almost all other places has a lawsuit once in a while. A little further on we come to the saloon of Hanson & Iverson. A few steps further, and we reach the store of I. Nethaway & Son, the best store building in town. They are well known through that part of the country, and have a large trade, dealing in hardware and groceries, but keep no liquors, neither in the shape of patent medicines nor any other form. A few rods to the north-east is a large store and dwelling in process of completion by James L. Rollins. About forty rods to the south-east from this point, we arrive at the new steam saw mill of John Butler, which has been located for business on the bank of the Little Muskegon. The engine is of twenty horse power, and the mill is expected to cut ten thousand feet per day, working ten hours. It is about ready to get in motion and before long will have added a shingle machine, and a planing and matching machine. A short distance above this point the Little Muskegon furnishes a site for a valuable water power. The river can be dammed at but little expense, a canal cut across a bend, and about twelve feet head thus obtained. Retracing our steps, we cross the railroad track, and about 40 rods to the westward of it, come to the new mill frame of Albert Antrim, who is a practical saw-mill man, and is building one of the best mills on the whole line of the G.R. & R.R. The engine is of fifty horse power and it is expected to cut twenty thousand feet per day working ten hours. Mr. Antrim commenced the work of putting this mill in only eight weeks ago, and has it so far completed that he will commence sawing in about a week. It is situated on Big Creek, a stream of considerable magnitude, which empties into the Muskegon a few rods below the mill. The creek has been dammed at this point by Messrs. J. Cummer and Son Lumber dealers, furnishing boomage of sufficient capacity for nearly five million feet of logs. They own about one thousand acres of pine adjacent to and in the immediate vicinity oif this creek, which they propose to put into it and float it to the mill for manufacturing and shipment by rail; and to facilitate this, the railroad company, we are informed by Mr. Cummer, proposes to lay a side track to the mill, which will save much handling in shipment. Returning to the railroad, we find a few rods to the southward of the depot, on the west side of the track, quite an extensive lumber yard, which belongs to Nelson Higbee, Esq., of Croton; and in this vicinity, we also find the blacksmith shop of James Hyde. In our ramble through the village, we have observed quite a number of buildings in process of construction and completion, and learn from the business men that their trade has been quite as good since the trains passed through as before - that the hotels and saloons are the only sufferers by the new order of things. The sick of this region are cared for by Doctors M.S. Cory, and W.W. Browers, who have the reputation of being posted in their profession. A new road leading directly east from the village is being opened and a bridge has been built over the river, half a mike out, which will be a great convenience to a large settlement in the township of Deerfield, the inhabitants of which have heretofore been obliged to go some distance around to reach the railroad. Morley from its central location in the heart of a large body of pine, which is surrounded by good farming country, must continue to flourish, and be as theretofore, one of the principal towns on the line of the G.R. & I. R.R. For the maintenance of good order, improvement of streets, etc., the inhabitants propose to apply to the board of Supervisors at their October meeting for a charter of incorporation. On the whole, our visit to the youngest, yet largest village in Mecosta county, was highly satisfactory, and we shall take pleasure in revisiting in due time.

Return to Home Page