Volume 41, number 7
April 2020
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society
Inside this issue: Cover Story: Infant Plague
Letter from our President page 2
Online History Resources page 4
Scottish American History Month page 5
First Death Here From Infant Plague (headline from article in the Grand Rapids Press, September 20, 1916)
Gina Bivins, Trustee, GRHS Lawrence Heinbeck was born on June 13, 1894 and died September 19, 1916 at the tender age of 22, from what is today known as polio. Lawrence is my maternal great-uncle. The article follows here: Lawrence as a teenager with his sister Genevieve
Photo Sleuth page 7 First Death Here From Infant Plague Lawrence Heinbeck, Twenty-two, Dies Tuesday; Six Cases Now Pending. Search: Grand Rapids Historical Society
Grand River Times
Infantile paralysis has claimed its first victim here this year. Early Tuesday Lawrence Heinbeck, twenty-two years old, 711 Chatham street, N.W., succumbed. He was ill less than a week and his case was reported Monday. Heinbeck was a clerk in the Grand Trunk railway freight offices. He first complained of being sick Saturday morning, and Dr. Stephen A. Whinery was called. On Sunday Heinbeck’s left arm was paralyze and he had a pain in the back. Monday the paralysis spread to his legs. Monday night his lungs were so weak a pulmotor was used to assist breathing. Continued on page 3 1
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Dear GRHS Members,
Wow, what a difference a month makes. We cancelled the March program as a cautionary decision to keep our members healthy. Within 24 hours of that decision many other organizations cancelled their events. Now, as I sit here writing this column for April 2020, the city, state and country has shut down nearly everything. It is my hope that this will slow the Covid-19 virus enough that the medical establishment has time to prepare for those who need them. The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids Every month I try to find something to tie in with the program that is Historical Society, published six going to be presented. However, the April program has already been times annually. Established in 1894, the Grand Rapids Historical Society cancelled by the speakers/hosts, Peg Finkelstein, Megan Yost and Temple is dedicated to exploring the history Emanuel. of West Michigan; to discover its Since we have voted as a board to discontinue the magazine I thought romance and tragedy, its heroes it was time to look back at what we have put before you in the past. The first and scoundrels, its leaders and its Grand River Valley Review came out in the fall of 1979. There were six ordinary citizens. The Society collects and preserves our heritage, articles and lots of small advertisements. I became curious about the passing it on to new generations advertisers and whether they were still in business forty years later. Here is through books, lectures, and what I found. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., established in 1911, is still education projects. publishing. The books featured in the ad were Pictorial History of Michigan, Atlas of Michigan, Bitter Harvest: PBB A Personal Story, and R. E. Olds: Executive Committee: Auto Industry Pioneer. Crosby and Gina Bivins, president Henry Insurance Agency, founded in Matthew Daley, vice-president 1858, is still in business today. Granny’s John Gelderloos, treasurer Kitchen closed its doors. The Castle was Nan Schichtel, secretary a fine dining establishment in Heritage Hill and is now a dental office. Meijer Board members: Thrifty Acres is now simply Meijer. Charles Bocskey Herkner Jewelers has moved out of Thomas Dilley downtown and is still in business. The Matthew Ellis Schnitzebank restaurant closed and was Chris Kaupa torn down. Continued on page 6 Gordon Olson, emeritus Wilhelm Seeger, emeritus Jeff Sytsma Julie Tabberer Jim Winslow Kurt Yost Jessica Riley, editor Grand Rapids Historical Society c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Website: www.grhistory.org Email: grhs.local@gmail.com Grand River Times
About the Grand Rapids Historical Society. The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight programs each year, beginning in September and running through May, including lectures, audio/video presentations, demonstrations, collections, or special tours. Membership. Membership is open to all interested persons with annual dues of $30 per family, $20 for seniors and students, or $400 for a lifetime membership. The membership year runs from May to the following May. Members of the Grand Rapids Historical Society receive eight newsletters each year. Members also receive a 20% discount on books published by the society as well as books published by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. Change of Address. If you will be permanently or temporarily moving to a new address, please notify GRHS before your change occurs. Let us know your new address and the date you plan to leave and plan to return. Email to grhs.local@gmail.com, or mail to Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 2
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Continued from front page Heinbeck was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Branch No. 48. C.M.B A. and St. Joseph’s society of St. James’ parish. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Heinbeck. Funeral Services will be private, and will be held at 9 o’clock Wednesday morning at the residence. Interment will be in Mount Calvary cemetery. Two other cases were reported to the board of health, making six positive cases now on record. Brooks Cowing, eighteen years old, 1517 College avenue N.E., and Henry Vertrigt, three years old, 1147 Sherman street S.E., are new victims. Dr. C. C. Slemons is investigating one suspicious case. The following day this article appeared in the Grand Rapids Press September 21,1916. Pay Last Respects Filing Past Window More Than 200 View Body of Joseph Lawrence Heinbeck, Paralysis Victim Though the house where Joseph Lawrence Heinbeck died of infantile paralysis is quarantined Inspector Stanley Lewicke, to gratify the insistent associates of the dead man, obtained permission to place the coffin at a window. Tuesday more than 200 passed, viewed the body and paid their last respects. From the moment news of the young man’s death was given out the Heinbeck home was besieged with callers, but the rigid quarantine could not be broken. With the aid of family members, Lewicke wheeled the coffin to the window Tuesday and removing the cover gratified the wish of friends. Representatives of the five societies in which Lawrence Heinbeck held membership were among the visitors. The saddest feature of the services, however, occurred Wednesday morning when at 9 o’clock private funeral services were held at the residence, 711 Chatham street N.W., and the body carried by board of health employees, was taken from the home. Burial was made at Mount Calvary cemetery. Thursday morning solemn funeral mass will be conducted at St. James church on Bridge street N.W.
Lawrence Heinbeck as a child with his parents (seated), Daniel and Catherine, and his sister Genevieve
Lawrence, as a young man, with his parents, Daniel and Catherine Heinbeck Grand River Times
3
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
HAPPENING IN HISTORY: APRIL 2020 This page is usually full of activities and events pertaining to local history groups. Western Michigan Genealogical Society, West Michigan Postcard Club, Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table and Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council are all either cancelling or postponing their April events. But, there are ways to enjoy history at home. Here is a list below of different options for at-home history learning and research. Western Michigan Genealogical Society www.wmgs.org
Grand Rapids Historical Commission www.historygrandrapids.org/
There a number of resources at this site to research genealogy and local history. There are multiple databases available to browse and search through including local newspapers, school records, marriages and deaths to name a few.
Sanborn Fire Insurance maps
The Grand Rapids Historical Commission collects images from the personal collections of local families, local archives of public and private institutions and organizations, and other local sources that reflect and reveal family and community life and the ways in which Grand Rapids people worked, traveled, educated and enjoyed themselves from the mid-nineteenth through the twentieth century. Explore this page to see many interesting and unique photographs from Grand Rapids.
Black History Collection
City Archives www.grandrapidslocalhistory.podbean.com/
Ladies Literary Club
Grand Rapids Herald 1894—1916
Furniture Periodicals
The City Archives, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Office of Communications, has a new podcast dedicated to Grand Rapids history. Hear our own GRHS Board Trustee, Matthew Ellis, as one of the presenters on this podcast. The first three episodes are available for listening and their titles are: The USS Grand Rapids, 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment and Prohibition, Brewing and Beer.
Suffrage Movement in Grand Rapids
Many more…..
Grand Rapids Public Library www.grpl.org/research/history/
Continued on page 5
Grand River Times
4
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Continued from page 4 Michiganology.com
Michiganology.org is a site where Michiganologists focus on the study of Michigan. A Michiganologist is someone who is curious about Michigan, shares its stories, and understands and takes pride in Michigan’s unique identity. As part of the Michigan History Center, Michiganology’s mission is to foster curiosity, enjoyment, and inspiration rooted in Michigan’s stories. Michiganology.org began as SeekingMichigan.org 10 years ago when the Archives of Michigan and Library of Michigan partnered to deliver more than 1 million records online. Now, more than 10 million records are available online along with interesting educational materials and countless stories chronicling the everyday lives of Michiganders.
Grand Rapids Historical Society Annual Meeting and Banquet CANCELLED
April is Scottish American Heritage Month The Grand Rapids Scottish Society was founded in 1991 by a group of people that have a love of Scotland and all things Scottish, its history, customs and traditions. This group gathers on a monthly basis to enjoy this focus on one of the world’s greatest countries. A country that is seeped in tradition and has given so much to the rest of the world. Its gifts are so varied that one cannot begin to name them all. This is what brings this group of people together. The Society celebrates the traditions of Scotland throughout the year. St. Andrew’s Day, Burns’ Supper and Hogmany (Scottish New Year) are but a few of those special events that the Society enjoys on an annual basis. Our Burns’ Supper is without a doubt the single event that we celebrate with the most enthusiasm. Scotland’s most famous poet and songwriter has circled the globe with his verse and song and we enjoy celebrating his contributions with a traditional supper which includes music, poetry, song and dance. The Society enjoys the fact that they are also a family oriented group. Their Hogmany celebrations are put together so that all members of the family can enjoy this festive tradition. During the summer months the Society participates in three festivals, all which have either a Scottish or Celtic theme. These are Alma Scottish Festival, Sparta Celtic Festival and the Kalamazoo Scottish Festival. The Society has a tent, which displays our banner and has reference books, which help people trace their roots. Naturally, they encourage membership to the Society through these festivals. The summer events are culminated by a family picnic with games and of course, food and prizes for all. Find out more at: www.grscottishsociety.org/home.html
The Board of Trustees has decided, in the interest of safety and caution, to cancel our upcoming banquet. This decision was not taken lightly and while we are disappointed to cancel this annual event, it is the best decision for our current situation. We look forward to recalibrating and getting back to programming for our next season. Stay tuned for updates.
Scottish poet Robert Burns Grand River Times
5
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Continued from page 2 Baker Book House is still publishing. Old Kent Bank became 5/3 Bank and is still in business. Kregel Publishing is now located on Oak Industrial Drive and was promoting the Pictorial History of Grand Rapids and A Look at Early Grand Rapids. The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village are still going strong. Coye’s Inc., maker of canvas awnings moved out of the downtown building now occupied by Z’z Bar and Grill and is located in Kentwood on 32nd Street. Preusser Jewelers, founded in 1850, is still in business today, all the while downtown. Gordon L. Olson wrote a very nice article about Preusser Jewelers in Volume 1 Number 1. It is a good time to revisit it. In 1850, William Preusser, a skilled watchmaker, came to Grand Rapids from Detroit and started a jewelry and watchmaking business. Several address changes and 129 years later (169 in 2019), Preusser Jewelers is still going strong; it is today the oldest continuously operating business in Grand Rapids, and the oldest jewelry store in Michigan There were about five thousand people living in Grand Rapids when Preusser arrived and set up his store in the Luce Block at the corner of Ottawa and Monroe. Preusser rented the building for $90 a year, and stocked it with a reported $10,000 in merchandise. Thomas McGuire, who served as the firms bookkeeper for many years wrote that William and his son Albert were regarded as fools for putting in such a large stock. They were told that “people here wanted pork and beans, not knickknacks for jewelry”. McGuire also recalled that Grand Rapids was still an Indian trading center when Preusser opened his business, and that when the Indians came to town to collect their government payments, some of them slept in the store basement. Also in Preusser’s basement were two fire engines, stored there by the city in 1853 for a yearly fee of $10. After three or four years in Grand Rapids, William Preusser once again succumbed to wanderlust and moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, leaving his son Albert to manage the Grand Rapids store. Albert, who operated the business for sixty-nine years, also played an active part in the city’s development. He was appointed the official city timekeeper by the Common Council, and the clock that he used is still displayed at Preusser Jewelers. Later, when the new city hall with its magnificent clock tower was constructed, Albert Preusser was called upon to wind the clock daily and provide regular maintenance. Preusser Jewelers has had several owners and several locations in downtown Grand Rapids. From the original Luce Block site, the business was moved to 136 Monroe where it remained for sixty-three years. Then, in 1919, before he died, Albert moved the business to 63 Monroe. After his death, the proprietorship was assumed by a corporation consisting of William Johnson and Henry Merkle, both of whom had worked as clerks for Albert, and Percy Wilson of Union Trust Company. In 1934, the corporation was succeeded by the partnership of William Frey, Fred Geller and Henry Merkle, who also served as store manager. The business was moved to a new location at 6 Sheldon SE. To be continued next month…..
Grand River Times
6
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOIN THE GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY OR GIVE A MEMBERSHIP AS A GIFT The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight lectures each year.
Members of the society enjoy these benefits:
The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society. Published and mailed to members eight times a year, it includes current items of historical interest, details of upcoming lectures, historically relevant activities, and short articles.
20% Discount on all books and other items published by the society.
Please enroll me as a member of the Grand Rapids Historical Society: ____ New ___Renewal ____Gift _____Lifetime:
$400.00 one-time fee
_____Individual/Family Membership
$30.00 per year
_____Senior Citizen or Student
$20.00 per year
Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Email:
Please make check payable to the Grand Rapids Historical Society and mail it with this form to: Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOTO SLEUTH Our April Photo Sleuth selection comes from the Robinson Photo Studio Collection. A group of ten women pose for a photograph at the 1964 Lambda Kappa Mu Banquet. If anyone in this picture looks familiar, please email the Grand Rapids Historical Society at grhs.local@gmail.com
Grand River Times
7
Non-Profit Org. U.S. postage PAID Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 234
Grand Rapids Historical Society, Inc. c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Cover Story: Infant Plague Letter from our President page 2
Online History Resources page 4 Scottish American History Month page 5 Photo Sleuth page 7
For more information on Historical Society programs, please visit www.grhistory.org Grand River Times
8
