in the Evart Review
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in the Evart Review |
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Evart Review July 1, 1887 The village of Evart, located on the western side of the Muskegon River, was settled by D.A. Blodgett and James Kennedy in the commencement of the year 1871. In 1871 the village was organized and platted and derived its name from Perry Evart, one of the earliest residents of this section. It was incorporated first in 1872, then again in 1873 under another act of the legislature in 1873, which, however was declared unconstitutional, and it was re-incorporated in 1875. In September 1871, the first train of cars on the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad passed into the town. From this time dates the rapid growth for the village, which continued about four years, since which time the progress has been steady, healthy and permanent rather than spasmodic. For five years, up to 1882, Evart was headquarters for lumber operations on the Muskegon River, north of here and three firms on an average put in 60,000,000 feet per year at this point. The first house was built by Barlow Davis on the northeast corner of Pine and Seventh Streets. The first store was established and the first sawmill operated by James Kennedy in 1871. The first hardware store and tin shop was kept by W.W. Bellows, and the first harness maker was W.M. Davis. The first blacksmith was Peter Olsen, who was soon followed by E.J. Cox. The first postmaster was L.J. Lemert, and the first drug store was kept by Tripp & McPherson. The first hotel was the Evart House. The first white woman to enter town was Mrs. W.W. Quigley and the first white child born here was Georgia Jeffs, now a young lady. The first preacher was Erastus Fleming and the first physician, W.W. Fountain; the first lawyers were Hon Joseph Sayles and C.O. Trumbull who came here in 1871. The first school was taught by Miss Alta Lemert - now Mrs. Clay. The first fire occurred in 1871 - it being K.H. Grandy's house; the next was in 1872 and consumed the Kennedy sawmill. March 22, 1872, the first election was held and the officers chosen were - President, William A. Lewis; Clerk, Joseph Sayles; Treasurer, E.C. Cannon; Trustees, William A. Wightman. George E. Mills, Eugene L Griggs, E.C. Martin, Warren Merritt and N. O. Pettibone; Assessor L.J. Lemert; Marshall, Richard Holden. Return to Evart Review newspaper articles |