History of Leroy Village 1884 Portrait & Bio Album

About the time of the advent of the railroad the idea was conceived by some of the business men of the township of Le Roy of starting a village, and knowing that no town could prosper in modern times away from a railroad, a site was selected on the line of the Grand Rapids & Indiana. During the summer of 1871, while the railroad was being constructed through here, James E. Bevins, W. W. and Charles G. Westfall, Samuel Kimball, James M. Brown and H.C. Booth, located here for the purpose of engaging in business, and this was the beginning of the town. It is situated near the eastern line of Le Roy Township in section 13, on Beaver Creek, which is a tributary of the Manistee River, and about 18 miles north of Reed City. The site is on rolling ground, and is quite attracive. Extensive forests of fine timber surround it, and its location is in the midst of what will ultimately be a rich farming country. The first railroad train came in during the latter part of November, 1871, and from that time it became quite a lively town.

The village of Le Roy was incorporated by act of the Legislature passed Feb. 2, 1873, and the election under this act was held the first Monday in March following: J.E. Bevins, H.M. Patrick and G. W. Averill were appointed a board of registration. The election was duly held, resulting in the choice of James E. Bevins for President; L.C. Dill, Clerk, and G. W. Kellogg, Treasurer. G. W. Averill, H.M. Patrick and Anthony Wenzel were elected as trustees; James C. Corbin, E.M. Braden, Godfrey Gundrum, George E. Merrill, Street Commissioners; Assessor, Walter L. Evans; Constable, M.W. Westfall. John Glerum was appointed Marshal, which completed the village government. The village was platted by James E. Bevins, its founder, Dec. 30, 1873, the plat embracing 40 acres. Samuel Kimball was the first man to open a store. M.W. Westfall, who was the first settler, put up the first house in the place; and Westfall Brothers opened the first hotel. this was all done in 1871. The first child born here was a daughter to the wife of Charles G. Westfall, which event occurred during the latter part of 1871.

MURDER.

One of the noted events of this part of the country was the murder of Gharles G. Westfall, just mentioned, by two indians, named Charles Powers and John Ka-the-way, which occurred Feb. 22, 1872. Mr. Westfall was thought a good deal of by every one who knew him, and this murder threw the entire country in this region into the greatest excitement. It was only by sober and conservative counsels, and probably from the fact that they were Indians, that saved these murderers (as both were supposed to have done the deed) from being lynched. Mr. Westfall had secured himself a homestead in Lake County, and in company with William A. Balcom was moving from Le Roy to his new home. He had an ox team and sled, which was loaded with their household goods, and which was also their only means of transportation. Balcom was acting as driver and was also looking after the little child. The Indians had been drinking at Le Roy, and had not started from town with the Westfall party, whose route took them by the Indians' cabin, and who were hauling some flour for them.

Some ways out of town and awhile before dark, the Indians came up, and, asking to ride, were allowed to get upon the sled. Soon afterward Powers became quarrelsome; and as the party proceeded on its journey, grew more so. About dark they all arrived at Pine River, and soon thereafter at the point where the trail to the Indians' wigwam led off from the main road. Here the Indians' flour was put off and they were still being quarrelsome - particularily Powers - Mr. Westfall stopped to parley with them, hoping thereby, as it was thought, to placate them. Balcom, with the team, went on to the house of Mr. Byam, where they were to put up for the night. The night wore on and Mr. Westfall not comin in, considerable uneasiness was felt in regard to his safety, particularily as Balcom had made known the condition of the two Indians.

Finally a party, with Balcom, started back in search of the missing man. They found him nearly where he had been left by the team by the roadside, with life almost extinct. He was unable to speak, and died within a few moments after he was found. The body was taken to Byam's, and upon examination was found to contain 29 stabs! Early next morning, a posse with guns started out for the Indians. They were found at their wigwam, arrested and taken before T.T. Delzell who committed them. There being no jail in the county, they were taken to Big Rapids and imprisoned there. Change of venue was finally obtained for them to Mecosta County, where they were tried for murder in the first degree. Excitement ran high during this trial, and people gathered to the court-house from all around the country. Ka-the-way was acquitted, but Powers was convicted. He was sentenced by the Court to imprisonment for life. Before, however, he ws conveyed to the Jackson penitentiary, he committed suicide by taking poison. This was accomplished by taking some bed-bug poison found in his cell, which was largely composed of corrosive sublimate. The people were ably represented by their counsel, and the defense was well conducted. Ka-the-way claimed that he was unconscious when he committed the murder, and knew not what he was doing. He bore himself during the trial with what people are wont, for more properly speaking, pleased to call Indian stoicism, but which is only the absence of conscience, or a sense of moral responsibility. It was developed after the trial that some one had, at a time dating back many months previous to the trial, broken up the wigwam of these Indians, and that Powers believed that Mr. Westfall had done it, and held a grudge against him for it. The name of the person who really did break up the wigwam was afterwards ascertained, which entirely exonerated the lamented Westfall of the act which was eventually the occasion of his murder.

BUSINESS INTERESTS.

Wenzel Brothers are extensive manufacturers of, and dealers in, lumber and shingles. This firm was organized in 1882. The business was started here in 1880, under a different firm. Capacity in lumber, 40,000 feet, shingles, 400,000 per day. They have 200 acres of timber land adjacent to their mills. J. C. Corbin, planing-mill, molding, matching, etc. Mr. C. has a large establishment; started his business in 1883; also deals in lumber.

A. Kimball has a flouring mill, and is a general dealer in flour and feed. Established in 1883, and had a capacity of 300 bushels per day.

James E. Bevins is a dealer in general merchandise, having one of the first stores opened in Le Roy. Is also an extensive dealer in real estate.

C.F. Walden carries a general stock of merchandise.

Patrick & co., have a general line of merchandise.

H.N. Babcock supplies the poeple with jewelry, clocks, watches, etc.

A. Shelander has a boot and shoe store.

J. H. Williams keeps a general store.

M.V. Gundrum carries a line of boots and shoes, crockery, drugs, groceries and dry-goods.

The fair ladies of Le Roy have not been forgotten, nor their wants, for Mrs. Wm. Herlan is with them with a fine stock of millinery goods.

B.S. Niles manufactures boots and shoes.

Le roy meat market is kept by M.W. Westfall.

Dell Roberts keeps a sloon and billiards.

J.W. Davidson carries on a general blacksmithing business, keeps shingles and does general wood work.

Wm. Herlan, general blacksmithing and horse-shoeing.

Drs. J.W. Law and C.H. Andrews look after the health of the people, and I. H. Corbin attends to the legal business.

Grant & McQuarrie, contractors and builders.

Le Roy has also a restaurant, a barber-shop and a skating rink.

The Westfall House, M.W. Westfall, proprietor, was opened in 1881, and is located upon the rising ground a little way from the depot. The house is well furnished and well kept. Landlord Westfall gives such attention to his guests that on leaving they feel like returning to Le Roy just for the pleasure of putting up with him.

The American House, H.J. Jenkins, proprietor, is also a good house. It had been recently re-opened, newly furnished throughout, and offers good accommodations.

Le Roy contains many good substantial buildings, has a population of about 350 souls, and is a growing village. Its people are industrious and energetic. This, together with the rich lands and splendid timber districts surrounding it, furnish all the elements necessary to a populous town.

Le Roy is the shipping point for the products of the great lumber mills of A. E. Sawyer at Sawyerville, in Rose Lake Township. A tramway is constructed from this place to Le Roy, a distance of some three miles, over which his lumber is freighted to the depot.

There are about or adjacent to Le Roy village eight shingle mills owned by Charles Duray, Mr. Spere, Metcalf & Noles, H.

Gowsey & Sons, L. Brown, Freeman & Morse, and charles Jepson.

A postoffice was established at Le roy in the winter of 1871. James E. Bevins was appointed Postmaster, and has retained the confidence of Uncle sam from that time to the present day. daily mails by rail, and once a week from Hartwick by stage.

SCHOOL.

Le Roy has been attentive to the educational interests. The citizens have put up a good school building, at a cost of $1,500, and have provided good teachers. This is in district number five, and is a graded school, with 178 pupils on the rolls. W.E. Jackson is Principal, and Alice S. Brown his assistant.

PRESS.

Le Roy Independent. - This is a five-column quarto paper, established in September, 1884. Its first issue was Sept. 13th, and this date is an epoch in the history of Le Roy as well as in the life of the energetic and talented editor and proprietor of this journal. Shakspeare has said that

There is a tide in the affairs of men,'
Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune.
Omitted, all the voyages of their lives
Are bound in shallows and in miseries.

Mr. Jackson did not "omit the opportunity, but "took the tide at the flood." He is now afloat on the full sea of life, and he has but to keep a firm steady course, and his venture will "lead on to fortune." We wish him the success he so justly deserves.

SOCIETIES.

Osceola Lodge, I.O.O.F., No. 300. - This lodge was instituted July 26, 1877. Charter members - R.C. Johnstone, William D. Clark, Frederick Shields, charles Bradley, John R. Simonton, Godfrey May, D.B. Hamlin, Lewis Tupper, Joseph H. Forbes, S.E. Morris, Octave Decair, Thomas Hood, J. Randolph and J.G. Piper. Present officers - William Allen, G.G.; Joseph Allen, V.G.; W.J. Gaw, P.S.; John Kelley, R.S.; Samuel Bush, Warden; George E. Merrel, I.S.G.; John Byers, O.S.G.; J.G. Piper, R.S.V.G., and A. P. Bailey, L.S.V.G.

Encampment of Le Roy and Rose Lake, No. 6, was instituted Aug. 21, 1879. Charter members - W.D. Clark, Frank Shields, Edwin Smith, Oliver Platts, Melvin P. May, James E. Bevins, John Gore, John Kelley, George E. Merrel, Joseph H. Forbes and John R. Simonton. Present officers of the Encampment: George Merrel, P.T.; E.S. Bevins, C.W.; Joseph Allen, J.W.; Samuel Bush, H.P.; John Kelley, Scribe; A.P. Bailey, Treasurer, and Oliver Platts, G.D.

Victoria Lodge of Rebecca, No. 73. - This lodge was organized Sept. 24, 1884, with the following named charter members: W.J. Law, Miss E.V. Law, E.S. Bevins, Miss Permelia Bevins, A.P. Bailey, Elizabeth Bailey, Samuel H. Bush, Miss Martha Bush, F. Ripley, Miss Mary Ripley, Miss Julia Olekerk, M.W. Westfall, Miss Frances E. Westfall, N.J. Archibald and Miss R.H. Archibald. Officers of Rebecca Lodge: E.S. Bevins, N.G.; Miss Frances E. Westfall, V.G.; Miss E.V. Law, R.S.; A.P. Nailey, P.S.; Miss Martha Bush, Treasurer; S.H. Bush, Warden; W.J. Law, Conductor; Miss R. H. Archbald, R.S.N.G.; N.J. Archibald, R.S. V.G., and M.W. Westfall, L.S.V.G.

All these lodges have a good hall, are well equipped and in good working order.

G.A.R. - This lodge was instituted Aug. 3, 1883. charter members - Arian Newcomb, M.W. Westfall, Henry Vandusen, Homer R. Peake, George Hinkley, Henry M. Evarts, J.E. Scribner, Christian Gugle, Joseph A. Braden, Levi S. Jackson, George E. Filley, Abraham H. Fox, William A. Boyer, Louis G. Hall, Reuben H. Bishop, George W. Averill and George Caslaw. Officers - William A. Boyer, C.; Lewis S. Jackson, Sr. V.C.; A.H. Fox, Jr., V.C.; Homer R. Peake, Surgeon; J.A. Braden, Q.M.; Lewis J. Hall, Chaplain; George Averill, Officer of the Day; J.E. Scribner, Officer of the Guard; A. Newcomb, Adj't; R.H. Bishop, S.M.; M.W. WEstfall, Q.M.S. This lodge is prospering, is holding meetings regularily, and a good deal of interst is manifested.

CHURCHES.

The First Baptist Church of Le Roy was organized Feb. 21, 1877. Names of the first members - William C. Burke, Mary E. Burke, Elizabeth Babcock, John Lockhart, Esther Lockhart, Gideon A. Estes, Lottie Estes, Henry Worden, Ann Worden, Henry Hale, Mary E. Hale, Martin Burris, Margaret Burris, C.F. Price, Ann Price, William Wood, Amanda Miner, Lewis Hall, Angeline Sprague, Mrs. S.A. Newcomb and Marsena Brown. The first Pastor was REv. O.S. Wolfe. He was followed by Rev. J.J. Martin, who was succeeded by Rev. N. Stilwell, the present Pastor. A good church building has been erected by this society, which was dedicated June 18, 1882, and cost $1,650.

Evangelical Lutheran Church. - This society belongs to the General synod of Illinois. It was organized July 3, 1883, by Rev. Charles F. Walden, with 42 members. Services once a month, which are held in the Methodist church.

There is a Methodist Society here, but, though repeated efforts were made to the presiding pastor on whom we had to depend, we were unable to get any further information regarding it.