Name/Title
Ira Chaffee and 1867 economic activity articleEntry/Object ID
2022.97.09Scope and Content
Six photocopies of a reprint of an article from the Sept. 16, 1867 Allegan Journal. The reprint was presented over three issues of Allegan County News and Gazette, likely including the Thursday, July 28, 1966 issue. The 1867 article "was probably a reprint of one published in the Chicago Evening Post, probably the same year."Context
The "article gives a vivid description of the industry situated along the Kalamazoo Rover in the villages of Allegan, Saugatuck, and Douglas, and an account of farming and prominent local men."
The glowingly-optimistic article specifically mentions:
- the Ira Chaffee's tri-weekly routes between Saugatuck, Douglas and Allegan
- Allegan's founders Ira Chaffee, Judge Kellogg and Col. Fisk
- the financial crisis of 1837 and recovery of 1843
- the Allegan fall (9 feet) powering mills for Ira Chaffee, J.D. Bush, Braden & Co., A. & H.G. Case, H. Carter & Co.
- the costs of the ships Lavinda, O.R. Johnson, Ira Chaffee, Aunt Petsey, Helen Mar, George Dunbar, Moteagle, Day Spring, White Oak, You Tell and other boats built at the Ira Chaffee shipyard
- Allegan's leading businesses
- production/business information about Saugatuck and Douglas mills, tanneries and stores including the Dunning & Hopkins saw mill (which had 2nd mill upriver)
- Saugatuck merchants R.T. Clements, John Burns, S.A. Morrison and J.H. Harris drug store
- "The people of Saugatuck are just completeding [sic], at a cost of $10,000, a house 40x64 feet, with two wings, each 10x30. It occupies a beautiful situation, and is a credit to the young village."
- Douglas mill owner Abbott, the Douglas Union School, fruit growing, M.B. Spencer docks and the harbor improvements.
Strangely, there are no mentions of Singapore in this pro-business piece.Collection
Nautical, 1870 Fruit growing, farming, agriculture, Commercial businessesCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2022.97Source or Donor
Wolbrink, Janet (Bogart) 1923-2016, Wolbrink, Robert B. Sr. 1923-1996Condition
Notes
This very old photocopy would be more useful if it was transcribed and kept as text only.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Old Harbor/Channel piers pre-1906/Ox-Bow LagoonRelated Places
Place
County
Allegan CountyState/Province
MichiganCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaCreate Date
January 8, 2023Update Date
March 29, 2024
