Henry R. Naysmith, Grand Rapids, Mich.—For many years the subject of this review was a prominent contractor and builder of Grand Rapids, as well as one of the city’s most highly esteemed citizens. Mr. Naysmith was born in the town of York, New York state, on March 1823, a son of John and Mercy (Price) Naysmith, natives, respectively of England and the state of Maryland. John Naysmith of scended from Scotch ancestry was born while his father was serving in the British army, and his wife’s birth occurred in Maryland the same day on which he first saw the light.

Henry R. Naysmith was reared on his father’s homestead in the Empire state, and while still a youth engaged in the manufacture of clothing; in this he displayed great efficiency and it is a fact worthy of note that the first broadcloth coat his father ever wore was the product of the son’s skill with the needle. Before attaining his majority Mr. Naysmith served an apprenticeship to the carpenter’s trade, and his skill as a builder is attested by numerous structures of different kinds in various parts of Grand Rapids and throughout Kent and other counties. In his youth he was denied the privilege of gaining the education he desired, but being of an observant and studious nature, and fond of books, he became in time the possessor of a fund of valuable knowledge which served well as a foundation for a career of great usefulness in subsequent life.

Actuated by a laudable desire to increase his knowledge, Mr. Naysmith, after coming to Grand Rapids, availed himself of the advantage of attending an academy taught by Prof. Everett, under whose able instructions he pursued his studies two winters, making rapid progress during that time. Subsequently he taught two terms of school, after which he turned his attention exclusively to contracting and building, following the same with success and financial profit for many years, until failing health compelled him to relinquish manual labor.

For two terms he was a member of the board of review, and during the active years of his business life, few, if any, mechanics of Grand Rapids planned and executed more work, or did as much towards the material development of the city. Later, when his bodily powers began to decline by reason of infirm health, and he was no longer able to do manual work, he continued to plan and superintend the construction of many important edifices, and otherwise pursue the vocation to which his life was devoted.

Mr. Naysmith was married in Marshall, Mich., on the 12^th day of November, 1857, to Miss Desdemona Church, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Ennis) Church, who survives her husband and resides in the pleasant dwelling which he erected in 1857 at 243 Lyon street. Mr. Naysmith built a residence a number of years prior to the erection of the present home, which occupies a site on the adjoining lot west, and the interesting fact is recalled that he did some of the work on the building by the light of Indian camp fires on the rear of the lot. From 1862 to 1875 Mr. Naysmith, was engaged in the manufacture of builders’ materials, and conducted the leading industry in this line then in the city. When he first came to Grand Rapids the Indian population in and around the town greatly exceeded that of the whites, there being then about 1,000 of the former and 900 of the latter. From this it is at once apparent that he saw the place from an insignificant frontier hamlet into one of the largest and most progressive cities of the great middle west, and as already stated he was no idle spectator of the almost phenomenal development, but a potent factor in contributing to its impetus.

In the true sense of the term Mr. Naysmith was a self-made man, and as such ranked with the leading spirits that gave character and influence to Kent county and its progressive seat of justice. In politics he was republican, well read and fully informed on the great public questions of the times, and took a warm interest in local party action, but not as an aspirant for official position.

Fraternally he was a member of Doric lodge, F. & A. M., also Knights Templar, and religion subscribed to the liberal creed of Universalism. He was a leading member and one of the organizers of the church in Grand Rapids, and aided materially both financially and otherwise in building up this organization which was one of his greatest delights, and cheered by a beautiful faith, he fearlessly passed into the higher life on the 30^th day of September, 1894, beloved and honored by all who knew him.