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| George W. Green, lumberman, resident at Big Rapids, was born at Amity, Allegany Co., N.Y., Dec. 31, 1834, son of William D. and Anna (Belden) Green. His father was a farmer and lumberman, and he was early put in training for the same occupation, upon which he entered at 17 years of age. The business career of Mr. Green represents in miniature the history of Mecosta County, whither he came in 1855. The township of Green permanently and fitly commemorates the family name. Mr. Green with his father and brother Andrew, being among the earliest settlers within its limits, and the founder of a considerable proportion of "first things" there,k as they were the heaviest land-holders at that period. They located about 1,400 acres of land and entered zealously upon the work of clearing and prosecuting their lumber interests. Mr. Green was associated with his brother Andrew in the lumber trade and in farming about 12 years. They bought large tracts of pine land, in Clare County, principally; employed many men, and put logs in the river, which were sold afterward, as is the custom in this section. Mr. Green of this sketch built the first frame house and barn in the township of Green. The former was erected on sec. 9, in 1857, the latter on sec. 4, in 1859. The residence was the first frame dwelling in Mecosta County. At the time of his arrival, there was but one-half of an acre of ground cleared where Big Rapids now stands, whereon was located a small hut owned by Zerah French, the only inhabitant living there at the time they located their lands. Mr. Green and his brother were often obliged to carry some part of their provisions long distances on thei backs. In 1872, associated with his brother -- Lewis H. Green -- he bought a saw-mill on the river in Big Rapids, at the foot of Hemlock street. The following year they sold out, and each proceeded to build a mill on his own responsibility. Lewis H. erected a lumber mill on the north side of Mitchell Creek, and Mr. Green of this sketch built a shingle mill on the south side of the same stream, which he sold in June, 1875, to S.H. Gray & Co. He continued to put in logs up the river, and in 1877 engaged with Bailey & Hardy in the meat business at Big Rapids. This relation closed at the end of a year, and Mr. Green went to the Black Hills, where he engaged in lumbering and mining until 1881, meeting with satisfactory success. The death of his wife recalled him to Big Rapids, and he resumed the lumber trade. In 1882 he bought a saw-mill in the village of Mecosta, which he sold in June of the following year. He still owns and manages a lumber yard there and, in company with D.F. Glidden, is engaged in the lumber business. His property at Big Rapids consists of a fine residence, and two lots on the corner of Elm and Ives Avenus; a residence and lot adjoining on the north; a store on the north side of Michigan Avenue, about 5,000 acres of stump land in Clare, Missaukee and Osceola Counties; and 160 acres of farming land in Dakota. Mr. Green was married March 27, 1862, in Green Tp., to Mary A., daughter of Thomas and Nicholas (Stott) Shaw, and a native of London, Eng. Three children were born of this union: Lola M.B., Grace G., and George W. The mother died at Big Rapids, May 11, 1881. Mr. Green was again married Oct. 17, 1882, at East Dennis, Mass., to Ellen M., daughter of Stillman Kelley. He is a member of the City Council of Big Rapids, of which position he was the incumbent in 1877-78. He has served ten years as Deputy County Surveyor, and was Deputy under the first County Clerk, Orrin Stevens, elected at the organization of Mecosta County, which position he filled two years. While a resident of Green Tp., he was Justice of the Peace four years, was Deputy Township Clerk a number of years, and has served at Big Rapids as Deputy Sheriff under A.S. Mason. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Masonic Order, and is a Knight Templar. |